Economy, jobs and prices in Natal, Brazil: official figures
Natal's gross domestic product was R$ 31.2 billion in 2023 at current prices, 0.28% of Brazil's GDP and the 44th largest of Brazil's 5,570 municipalities.
What is the GDP per capita of Natal?
GDP per person in Natal was R$ 41,478 in 2023, the 1889th highest of Brazil's 5,570 municipalities and the 139th lowest of 320 major Brazilian cities; for Brazil as a whole it was about R$ 53,887.
Source: Instituto Brasileiro de Geografia e Estatística (IBGE) · saved copyHow much of Rio Grande do Norte state's economy is in Natal?
Natal produced 30.6% of the GDP of Rio Grande do Norte state in 2023, while holding 22.6% of its 2026 population.
Source: Instituto Brasileiro de Geografia e Estatística (IBGE) · saved copyWhat are the main industries in Natal?
In 2021, the latest year with a breakdown by sector, private services made up 64.2% of Natal's gross value added, industry 12.3%, public administration, education and health 23.4% and agriculture 0.1% (Brazil: 50.7%, 25.8%, 15.8% and 7.7%).
Source: Instituto Brasileiro de Geografia e Estatística (IBGE) · saved copyWhat does the economy of Natal depend on?
The three activities adding the most value to Natal's economy in 2021 were other private services (such as finance, property, transport, information and private education and health), public administration, defence, public education and health and social security, and trade and vehicle repair. Industry's share of value added was the 61st lowest of 320 major Brazilian cities.
Source: Instituto Brasileiro de Geografia e Estatística (IBGE) · saved copyWhat is the average salary in Natal?
Salaried employees of companies and organisations in Natal earned an average of R$ 3,963.97 a month in 2024 (2.8 minimum wages), the 254th highest of Brazil's 5,570 municipalities and the 64th highest of 320 major Brazilian cities (Brazil: R$ 3,932.44).
Source: Instituto Brasileiro de Geografia e Estatística (IBGE) · saved copyAre wages rising in Natal?
The average monthly salary in Natal rose from R$ 3,686.88 in 2022 to R$ 3,963.97 in 2024 in current reais (+7.5%; Brazil: +11.0%). In minimum wages it went from 3.0 to 2.8.
Source: Instituto Brasileiro de Geografia e Estatística (IBGE) · saved copyHow many people have formal jobs in Natal?
Registered companies and organisations in Natal employed 367,921 people at the end of 2024, 310,411 of them salaried, equal to 46.8% of the estimated population; the 42nd highest of 320 major Brazilian cities (Brazil: 32.0%). Jobs are counted where the workplace is, so they include commuters.
Source: Instituto Brasileiro de Geografia e Estatística (IBGE) · saved copyIs employment growing in Natal?
Employment in registered firms and organisations in Natal grew from 350,057 in 2022 to 367,921 in 2024 (+5.1%; Brazil: +8.4%).
Source: Instituto Brasileiro de Geografia e Estatística (IBGE) · saved copyHow many companies are there in Natal?
43,817 companies and other organisations were active in Natal in 2024, about 56 per 1,000 residents (the 115th highest of 320 major Brazilian cities), and they paid R$ 15.7 billion in wages and other pay over the year.
Source: Instituto Brasileiro de Geografia e Estatística (IBGE) · saved copyWhat is the average income in Natal?
The median monthly household income per person in Natal was R$ 970 at the 2022 census, the 109th lowest of 320 major Brazilian cities and the 2515th highest of Brazil's 5,570 municipalities (Brazil: R$ 1,000).
Source: Instituto Brasileiro de Geografia e Estatística (IBGE) · saved copyMore figures
- At current prices, not adjusted for inflation, GDP per person in Natal went from R$ 16,072 in 2010 to R$ 41,478 in 2023, a rise of 158%. Source: Instituto Brasileiro de Geografia e Estatística (IBGE) · saved copy
How Natal compares with other cities in Brazil
GDP at current prices (2023)
Natal ranks 43 of 320, highest first.
| Rank | City | GDP at current prices |
|---|---|---|
| 40 | São José dos Pinhais | R$ 34.0 billion |
| 41 | Maceió | R$ 33.7 billion |
| 42 | Florianópolis | R$ 31.2 billion |
| 43 | Natal | R$ 31.2 billion |
| 44 | Santos | R$ 31.0 billion |
| 45 | Teresina | R$ 29.4 billion |
| 46 | Canoas | R$ 29.2 billion |
GDP per person at current prices (2023)
Natal ranks 182 of 320, highest first.
| Rank | City | GDP per person at current prices |
|---|---|---|
| 179 | Vila Velha | R$ 42,143 |
| 180 | Ribeirão Pires | R$ 41,998 |
| 181 | Macapá | R$ 41,701 |
| 182 | Natal | R$ 41,478 |
| 183 | Várzea Paulista | R$ 40,909 |
| 184 | Birigui | R$ 40,902 |
| 185 | Cachoeiro de Itapemirim | R$ 40,873 |
Industry share of gross value added (2021)
Natal ranks 260 of 320, highest first.
| Rank | City | Industry share of gross value added |
|---|---|---|
| 257 | Guarapari | 12.7% |
| 258 | Bagé | 12.5% |
| 259 | Olinda | 12.4% |
| 260 | Natal | 12.3% |
| 261 | Balneário Camboriú | 12.3% |
| 262 | Palmas | 12.3% |
| 263 | Piraquara | 12.2% |
Active companies and organisations per 1,000 residents (2024)
Natal ranks 115 of 320, highest first.
| Rank | City | Active companies and organisations per 1,000 residents |
|---|---|---|
| 112 | Recife | 56.0 |
| 113 | Mogi Guaçu | 55.8 |
| 114 | Tangará da Serra | 55.8 |
| 115 | Natal | 55.8 |
| 116 | Camboriú | 55.4 |
| 117 | Osasco | 55.3 |
| 118 | Anápolis | 55.3 |
Average monthly salary of formal employees (2024)
Natal ranks 64 of 320, highest first.
| Rank | City | Average monthly salary of formal employees |
|---|---|---|
| 61 | Limeira | R$ 4,034.87 |
| 62 | Três Lagoas | R$ 4,012.14 |
| 63 | Sertãozinho | R$ 3,976.93 |
| 64 | Natal | R$ 3,963.97 |
| 65 | São Luís | R$ 3,960.43 |
| 66 | Itatiba | R$ 3,943.01 |
| 67 | Manaus | R$ 3,937.71 |
Average monthly salary in minimum wages (2024)
Natal ranks 64 of 320, highest first.
| Rank | City | Average monthly salary in minimum wages |
|---|---|---|
| 61 | Guaratinguetá | 2.9 |
| 62 | Manaus | 2.8 |
| 63 | São Luís | 2.8 |
| 64 | Natal | 2.8 |
| 65 | Londrina | 2.8 |
| 66 | Macapá | 2.8 |
| 67 | Mauá | 2.8 |
People employed by registered firms and organisations, % of population (2024)
Natal ranks 42 of 320, highest first.
| Rank | City | People employed by registered firms and organisations, % of population |
|---|---|---|
| 39 | Bauru | 47.9% |
| 40 | Niterói | 47.6% |
| 41 | Joinville | 47.5% |
| 42 | Natal | 46.8% |
| 43 | Catanduva | 46.1% |
| 44 | Caxias do Sul | 46.0% |
| 45 | Cascavel | 45.9% |
Median monthly household income per person (2022)
Natal ranks 212 of 320, highest first.
| Rank | City | Median monthly household income per person |
|---|---|---|
| 209 | São Mateus | R$ 975 |
| 210 | Recife | R$ 971 |
| 211 | Embu das Artes | R$ 971 |
| 212 | Natal | R$ 970 |
| 213 | Ibirité | R$ 970 |
| 214 | Ferraz de Vasconcelos | R$ 968 |
| 215 | Cubatão | R$ 960 |
More on Natal: overview · health · education and schools · poverty and living standards · government budget · all cities in Brazil
Sources
- Instituto Brasileiro de Geografia e Estatística (IBGE): Estatísticas do Cadastro Central de Empresas (CEMPRE) 2022-2024: local units, companies and organisations, employed persons, salaried employees, wages and average monthly salary (SIDRA table 9509; Brazil, states and the 320 listed municipalities), read 23 October 2026 · saved copy (SHA-256 6512e29fcaa1…)
- Instituto Brasileiro de Geografia e Estatística (IBGE): Produto Interno Bruto dos Municípios, database 2010-2023 (text format, with layout): GDP, GDP per person and gross value added by sector for every municipality, with IBGE urban hierarchy, metropolitan region, Legal Amazon and semi-arid classifications, read 23 October 2026 · saved copy (SHA-256 1179047b0bcc…)
- Instituto Brasileiro de Geografia e Estatística (IBGE): Censo Demográfico 2022: mean and median monthly household income per person of residents of permanent private households, Brazil, states and municipalities (SIDRA table 10295), read 23 October 2026 · saved copy (SHA-256 34331c7982e4…)
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