Economy, jobs and prices in São Carlos, Brazil: official figures
São Carlos' gross domestic product was R$ 18.4 billion in 2023 at current prices, 0.17% of Brazil's GDP and the 93rd largest of Brazil's 5,570 municipalities.
What is the GDP per capita of São Carlos?
GDP per person in São Carlos was R$ 72,146 in 2023, the 628th highest of Brazil's 5,570 municipalities and the 76th highest 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 São Paulo state's economy is in São Carlos?
São Carlos produced 0.5% of the GDP of São Paulo state in 2023, while holding 0.6% of its 2026 population.
Source: Instituto Brasileiro de Geografia e Estatística (IBGE) · saved copyWhat are the main industries in São Carlos?
In 2021, the latest year with a breakdown by sector, private services made up 56.8% of São Carlos' gross value added, industry 31.8%, public administration, education and health 10.0% and agriculture 1.4% (Brazil: 50.7%, 25.8%, 15.8% and 7.7%).
Source: Instituto Brasileiro de Geografia e Estatística (IBGE) · saved copyWhat does the economy of São Carlos depend on?
The three activities adding the most value to São Carlos' economy in 2021 were other private services (such as finance, property, transport, information and private education and health), manufacturing, and trade and vehicle repair. Industry's share of value added was the 88th highest of 320 major Brazilian cities.
Source: Instituto Brasileiro de Geografia e Estatística (IBGE) · saved copyWhat is the average salary in São Carlos?
Salaried employees of companies and organisations in São Carlos earned an average of R$ 4,529.49 a month in 2024 (3.2 minimum wages), the 95th highest of Brazil's 5,570 municipalities and the 26th highest of 320 major Brazilian cities (Brazil: R$ 3,932.44).
Source: Instituto Brasileiro de Geografia e Estatística (IBGE) · saved copyAre wages rising in São Carlos?
The average monthly salary in São Carlos rose from R$ 3,962.92 in 2022 to R$ 4,529.49 in 2024 in current reais (+14.3%; Brazil: +11.0%). In minimum wages it went from 3.3 to 3.2.
Source: Instituto Brasileiro de Geografia e Estatística (IBGE) · saved copyHow many people have formal jobs in São Carlos?
Registered companies and organisations in São Carlos employed 116,873 people at the end of 2024, 89,004 of them salaried, equal to 44.1% of the estimated population; the 59th 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 São Carlos?
Employment in registered firms and organisations in São Carlos grew from 108,182 in 2022 to 116,873 in 2024 (+8.0%; Brazil: +8.4%).
Source: Instituto Brasileiro de Geografia e Estatística (IBGE) · saved copyHow many companies are there in São Carlos?
20,719 companies and other organisations were active in São Carlos in 2024, about 78 per 1,000 residents (the 46th highest of 320 major Brazilian cities), and they paid R$ 5.3 billion in wages and other pay over the year.
Source: Instituto Brasileiro de Geografia e Estatística (IBGE) · saved copyWhat is the average income in São Carlos?
The median monthly household income per person in São Carlos was R$ 1,475 at the 2022 census, the 46th highest of 320 major Brazilian cities and the 288th 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 São Carlos went from R$ 30,665 in 2010 to R$ 72,146 in 2023, a rise of 135%. Source: Instituto Brasileiro de Geografia e Estatística (IBGE) · saved copy
How São Carlos compares with other cities in Brazil
GDP at current prices (2023)
São Carlos ranks 88 of 320, highest first.
| Rank | City | GDP at current prices |
|---|---|---|
| 85 | Sumaré | R$ 19.0 billion |
| 86 | Suzano | R$ 18.6 billion |
| 87 | Macapá | R$ 18.5 billion |
| 88 | São Carlos | R$ 18.4 billion |
| 89 | Boa Vista | R$ 18.2 billion |
| 90 | Chapecó | R$ 17.6 billion |
| 91 | Americana | R$ 17.6 billion |
GDP per person at current prices (2023)
São Carlos ranks 76 of 320, highest first.
| Rank | City | GDP per person at current prices |
|---|---|---|
| 73 | Barcarena | R$ 72,562 |
| 74 | Contagem | R$ 72,512 |
| 75 | Serra | R$ 72,311 |
| 76 | São Carlos | R$ 72,146 |
| 77 | Uberlândia | R$ 71,598 |
| 78 | Limeira | R$ 71,528 |
| 79 | Sertãozinho | R$ 71,520 |
Industry share of gross value added (2021)
São Carlos ranks 88 of 320, highest first.
| Rank | City | Industry share of gross value added |
|---|---|---|
| 85 | Sorocaba | 32.5% |
| 86 | Mogi Guaçu | 32.4% |
| 87 | Arapongas | 32.1% |
| 88 | São Carlos | 31.8% |
| 89 | Fazenda Rio Grande | 31.7% |
| 90 | Vespasiano | 31.4% |
| 91 | Nova Serrana | 31.4% |
Active companies and organisations per 1,000 residents (2024)
São Carlos ranks 46 of 320, highest first.
| Rank | City | Active companies and organisations per 1,000 residents |
|---|---|---|
| 43 | Jundiaí | 79.5 |
| 44 | Campinas | 78.9 |
| 45 | Santa Cruz do Sul | 78.6 |
| 46 | São Carlos | 78.1 |
| 47 | Indaiatuba | 77.8 |
| 48 | Toledo | 77.1 |
| 49 | Birigui | 75.6 |
Average monthly salary of formal employees (2024)
São Carlos ranks 26 of 320, highest first.
| Rank | City | Average monthly salary of formal employees |
|---|---|---|
| 23 | Belo Horizonte | R$ 4,567.11 |
| 24 | Jaraguá do Sul | R$ 4,558.49 |
| 25 | São José dos Campos | R$ 4,537.74 |
| 26 | São Carlos | R$ 4,529.49 |
| 27 | Indaiatuba | R$ 4,526.97 |
| 28 | Campo Grande | R$ 4,518.17 |
| 29 | Sumaré | R$ 4,482.44 |
Average monthly salary in minimum wages (2024)
São Carlos ranks 29 of 320, highest first.
| Rank | City | Average monthly salary in minimum wages |
|---|---|---|
| 26 | São José dos Campos | 3.2 |
| 27 | Sumaré | 3.2 |
| 28 | Indaiatuba | 3.2 |
| 29 | São Carlos | 3.2 |
| 30 | Jaraguá do Sul | 3.2 |
| 31 | Angra dos Reis | 3.2 |
| 32 | Cuiabá | 3.1 |
People employed by registered firms and organisations, % of population (2024)
São Carlos ranks 59 of 320, highest first.
| Rank | City | People employed by registered firms and organisations, % of population |
|---|---|---|
| 56 | São Luís | 44.5% |
| 57 | Rio de Janeiro | 44.5% |
| 58 | Aracaju | 44.2% |
| 59 | São Carlos | 44.1% |
| 60 | Piracicaba | 43.8% |
| 61 | Santa Cruz do Sul | 43.7% |
| 62 | Londrina | 43.4% |
Median monthly household income per person (2022)
São Carlos ranks 46 of 320, highest first.
| Rank | City | Median monthly household income per person |
|---|---|---|
| 43 | Sorriso | R$ 1,500 |
| 44 | Camboriú | R$ 1,500 |
| 45 | Brasília | R$ 1,495 |
| 46 | São Carlos | R$ 1,475 |
| 47 | Atibaia | R$ 1,470 |
| 48 | Rio Claro | R$ 1,467 |
| 49 | Goiânia | R$ 1,450 |
More on São Carlos: 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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