Economy, jobs and prices in Recife, Brazil: official figures
Recife's gross domestic product was R$ 66.4 billion in 2023 at current prices, 0.61% of Brazil's GDP and the 20th largest of Brazil's 5,570 municipalities.
What is the GDP per capita of Recife?
GDP per person in Recife was R$ 44,563 in 2023, the 1689th highest of Brazil's 5,570 municipalities and the 155th 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 Pernambuco state's economy is in Recife?
Recife produced 24.5% of the GDP of Pernambuco state in 2023, while holding 16.6% of its 2026 population.
Source: Instituto Brasileiro de Geografia e Estatística (IBGE) · saved copyWhat are the main industries in Recife?
In 2021, the latest year with a breakdown by sector, private services made up 69.1% of Recife's gross value added, industry 13.7%, public administration, education and health 17.0% 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 Recife depend on?
The three activities adding the most value to Recife'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 79th lowest of 320 major Brazilian cities.
Source: Instituto Brasileiro de Geografia e Estatística (IBGE) · saved copyWhat is the average salary in Recife?
Salaried employees of companies and organisations in Recife earned an average of R$ 4,182.41 a month in 2024 (3.0 minimum wages), the 169th highest of Brazil's 5,570 municipalities and the 46th highest of 320 major Brazilian cities (Brazil: R$ 3,932.44).
Source: Instituto Brasileiro de Geografia e Estatística (IBGE) · saved copyAre wages rising in Recife?
The average monthly salary in Recife rose from R$ 3,832.35 in 2022 to R$ 4,182.41 in 2024 in current reais (+9.1%; Brazil: +11.0%). In minimum wages it went from 3.2 to 3.0.
Source: Instituto Brasileiro de Geografia e Estatística (IBGE) · saved copyHow many people have formal jobs in Recife?
Registered companies and organisations in Recife employed 829,869 people at the end of 2024, 711,680 of them salaried, equal to 52.3% of the estimated population; the 24th 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 Recife?
Employment in registered firms and organisations in Recife grew from 783,498 in 2022 to 829,869 in 2024 (+5.9%; Brazil: +8.4%).
Source: Instituto Brasileiro de Geografia e Estatística (IBGE) · saved copyHow many companies are there in Recife?
88,849 companies and other organisations were active in Recife in 2024, about 56 per 1,000 residents (the 112th highest of 320 major Brazilian cities), and they paid R$ 38.1 billion in wages and other pay over the year.
Source: Instituto Brasileiro de Geografia e Estatística (IBGE) · saved copyWhat is the average income in Recife?
The median monthly household income per person in Recife was R$ 971 at the 2022 census, the 111th lowest of 320 major Brazilian cities and the 2507th 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 Recife went from R$ 21,712 in 2010 to R$ 44,563 in 2023, a rise of 105%. Source: Instituto Brasileiro de Geografia e Estatística (IBGE) · saved copy
How Recife compares with other cities in Brazil
GDP at current prices (2023)
Recife ranks 20 of 320, highest first.
| Rank | City | GDP at current prices |
|---|---|---|
| 17 | Barueri | R$ 71.6 billion |
| 18 | Duque de Caxias | R$ 70.1 billion |
| 19 | Paulínia | R$ 67.1 billion |
| 20 | Recife | R$ 66.4 billion |
| 21 | Jundiaí | R$ 65.4 billion |
| 22 | São José dos Campos | R$ 61.4 billion |
| 23 | Sorocaba | R$ 58.8 billion |
GDP per person at current prices (2023)
Recife ranks 166 of 320, highest first.
| Rank | City | GDP per person at current prices |
|---|---|---|
| 163 | Palhoça | R$ 46,247 |
| 164 | Assis | R$ 46,175 |
| 165 | Vitória de Santo Antão | R$ 44,767 |
| 166 | Recife | R$ 44,563 |
| 167 | Poá | R$ 44,435 |
| 168 | Taboão da Serra | R$ 44,177 |
| 169 | Boa Vista | R$ 44,099 |
Industry share of gross value added (2021)
Recife ranks 242 of 320, highest first.
| Rank | City | Industry share of gross value added |
|---|---|---|
| 239 | Lagarto | 13.9% |
| 240 | Pelotas | 13.8% |
| 241 | Teófilo Otoni | 13.7% |
| 242 | Recife | 13.7% |
| 243 | Parnaíba | 13.7% |
| 244 | Ananindeua | 13.7% |
| 245 | Nova Friburgo | 13.6% |
Active companies and organisations per 1,000 residents (2024)
Recife ranks 112 of 320, highest first.
| Rank | City | Active companies and organisations per 1,000 residents |
|---|---|---|
| 109 | Cambé | 57.0 |
| 110 | Catalão | 57.0 |
| 111 | Guarapari | 56.8 |
| 112 | Recife | 56.0 |
| 113 | Mogi Guaçu | 55.8 |
| 114 | Tangará da Serra | 55.8 |
| 115 | Natal | 55.8 |
Average monthly salary of formal employees (2024)
Recife ranks 46 of 320, highest first.
| Rank | City | Average monthly salary of formal employees |
|---|---|---|
| 43 | Santana de Parnaíba | R$ 4,200.10 |
| 44 | Parauapebas | R$ 4,191.19 |
| 45 | Sorocaba | R$ 4,187.46 |
| 46 | Recife | R$ 4,182.41 |
| 47 | Salvador | R$ 4,178.17 |
| 48 | Diadema | R$ 4,164.29 |
| 49 | Santa Maria | R$ 4,125.18 |
Average monthly salary in minimum wages (2024)
Recife ranks 38 of 320, highest first.
| Rank | City | Average monthly salary in minimum wages |
|---|---|---|
| 35 | São José dos Pinhais | 3.1 |
| 36 | Camaçari | 3.1 |
| 37 | Salvador | 3.0 |
| 38 | Recife | 3.0 |
| 39 | Sorocaba | 3.0 |
| 40 | Betim | 3.0 |
| 41 | Palmas | 3.0 |
People employed by registered firms and organisations, % of population (2024)
Recife ranks 24 of 320, highest first.
| Rank | City | People employed by registered firms and organisations, % of population |
|---|---|---|
| 21 | Santana de Parnaíba | 55.1% |
| 22 | Itajaí | 54.3% |
| 23 | Jundiaí | 54.1% |
| 24 | Recife | 52.3% |
| 25 | Chapecó | 52.2% |
| 26 | Blumenau | 52.1% |
| 27 | Toledo | 51.2% |
Median monthly household income per person (2022)
Recife ranks 210 of 320, highest first.
| Rank | City | Median monthly household income per person |
|---|---|---|
| 207 | Nilópolis | R$ 980 |
| 208 | Cariacica | R$ 978 |
| 209 | São Mateus | R$ 975 |
| 210 | Recife | R$ 971 |
| 211 | Embu das Artes | R$ 971 |
| 212 | Natal | R$ 970 |
| 213 | Ibirité | R$ 970 |
More on Recife: 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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