Economy, jobs and prices in Sobral, Brazil: official figures
Sobral's gross domestic product was R$ 6.6 billion in 2023 at current prices, 0.06% of Brazil's GDP and the 252nd largest of Brazil's 5,570 municipalities.
What is the GDP per capita of Sobral?
GDP per person in Sobral was R$ 32,454 in 2023, the 2581st highest of Brazil's 5,570 municipalities and the 88th 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 Ceará state's economy is in Sobral?
Sobral produced 2.8% of the GDP of Ceará state in 2023, while holding 2.3% of its 2026 population.
Source: Instituto Brasileiro de Geografia e Estatística (IBGE) · saved copyWhat are the main industries in Sobral?
In 2021, the latest year with a breakdown by sector, private services made up 53.6% of Sobral's gross value added, industry 25.4%, public administration, education and health 19.9% and agriculture 1.1% (Brazil: 50.7%, 25.8%, 15.8% and 7.7%).
Source: Instituto Brasileiro de Geografia e Estatística (IBGE) · saved copyWhat does the economy of Sobral depend on?
The three activities adding the most value to Sobral's economy in 2021 were other private services (such as finance, property, transport, information and private education and health), manufacturing, and public administration, defence, public education and health and social security. Industry's share of value added was the 145th highest of 320 major Brazilian cities.
Source: Instituto Brasileiro de Geografia e Estatística (IBGE) · saved copyWhat is the average salary in Sobral?
Salaried employees of companies and organisations in Sobral earned an average of R$ 2,646.04 a month in 2024 (1.9 minimum wages), the 2455th lowest of Brazil's 5,570 municipalities and the 64th lowest of 320 major Brazilian cities (Brazil: R$ 3,932.44).
Source: Instituto Brasileiro de Geografia e Estatística (IBGE) · saved copyAre wages rising in Sobral?
The average monthly salary in Sobral rose from R$ 2,364.37 in 2022 to R$ 2,646.04 in 2024 in current reais (+11.9%; Brazil: +11.0%). In minimum wages it went from 2.0 to 1.9.
Source: Instituto Brasileiro de Geografia e Estatística (IBGE) · saved copyHow many people have formal jobs in Sobral?
Registered companies and organisations in Sobral employed 62,609 people at the end of 2024, 54,939 of them salaried, equal to 29.1% of the estimated population; the 140th lowest 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 Sobral?
Employment in registered firms and organisations in Sobral grew from 58,392 in 2022 to 62,609 in 2024 (+7.2%; Brazil: +8.4%).
Source: Instituto Brasileiro de Geografia e Estatística (IBGE) · saved copyHow many companies are there in Sobral?
6,511 companies and other organisations were active in Sobral in 2024, about 30 per 1,000 residents (the 67th lowest of 320 major Brazilian cities), and they paid R$ 1.8 billion in wages and other pay over the year.
Source: Instituto Brasileiro de Geografia e Estatística (IBGE) · saved copyWhat is the average income in Sobral?
The median monthly household income per person in Sobral was R$ 621 at the 2022 census, the 14th lowest of 320 major Brazilian cities and the 1864th lowest 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 Sobral went from R$ 13,564 in 2010 to R$ 32,454 in 2023, a rise of 139%. Source: Instituto Brasileiro de Geografia e Estatística (IBGE) · saved copy
How Sobral compares with other cities in Brazil
GDP at current prices (2023)
Sobral ranks 211 of 320, highest first.
| Rank | City | GDP at current prices |
|---|---|---|
| 208 | Cambé | R$ 6.8 billion |
| 209 | Barretos | R$ 6.7 billion |
| 210 | Santa Luzia | R$ 6.6 billion |
| 211 | Sobral | R$ 6.6 billion |
| 212 | Itumbiara | R$ 6.6 billion |
| 213 | Jaú | R$ 6.5 billion |
| 214 | Juazeiro do Norte | R$ 6.5 billion |
GDP per person at current prices (2023)
Sobral ranks 233 of 320, highest first.
| Rank | City | GDP per person at current prices |
|---|---|---|
| 230 | Barbacena | R$ 32,786 |
| 231 | Igarassu | R$ 32,734 |
| 232 | Praia Grande | R$ 32,568 |
| 233 | Sobral | R$ 32,454 |
| 234 | Itaquaquecetuba | R$ 32,440 |
| 235 | São Pedro da Aldeia | R$ 32,289 |
| 236 | Montes Claros | R$ 32,170 |
Industry share of gross value added (2021)
Sobral ranks 145 of 320, highest first.
| Rank | City | Industry share of gross value added |
|---|---|---|
| 142 | Juiz de Fora | 26.0% |
| 143 | Feira de Santana | 25.9% |
| 144 | Santa Rita | 25.5% |
| 145 | Sobral | 25.4% |
| 146 | São Luís | 25.2% |
| 147 | Itapetininga | 25.0% |
| 148 | Aparecida de Goiânia | 24.8% |
Active companies and organisations per 1,000 residents (2024)
Sobral ranks 254 of 320, highest first.
| Rank | City | Active companies and organisations per 1,000 residents |
|---|---|---|
| 251 | Itapecerica da Serra | 30.7 |
| 252 | Juazeiro | 30.6 |
| 253 | Várzea Paulista | 30.3 |
| 254 | Sobral | 30.2 |
| 255 | Garanhuns | 30.0 |
| 256 | Valparaíso de Goiás | 29.7 |
| 257 | Carapicuíba | 29.6 |
Average monthly salary of formal employees (2024)
Sobral ranks 257 of 320, highest first.
| Rank | City | Average monthly salary of formal employees |
|---|---|---|
| 254 | Jaboatão dos Guararapes | R$ 2,678.32 |
| 255 | Bragança | R$ 2,665.16 |
| 256 | Itaboraí | R$ 2,655.50 |
| 257 | Sobral | R$ 2,646.04 |
| 258 | Queimados | R$ 2,639.28 |
| 259 | Barra Mansa | R$ 2,637.56 |
| 260 | Conselheiro Lafaiete | R$ 2,630.23 |
Average monthly salary in minimum wages (2024)
Sobral ranks 250 of 320, highest first.
| Rank | City | Average monthly salary in minimum wages |
|---|---|---|
| 247 | Ribeirão das Neves | 1.9 |
| 248 | Volta Redonda | 1.9 |
| 249 | Itaboraí | 1.9 |
| 250 | Sobral | 1.9 |
| 251 | Nossa Senhora do Socorro | 1.9 |
| 252 | Itabuna | 1.9 |
| 253 | Barra Mansa | 1.9 |
People employed by registered firms and organisations, % of population (2024)
Sobral ranks 181 of 320, highest first.
| Rank | City | People employed by registered firms and organisations, % of population |
|---|---|---|
| 178 | Caraguatatuba | 29.3% |
| 179 | Araguari | 29.3% |
| 180 | Passos | 29.2% |
| 181 | Sobral | 29.1% |
| 182 | Aparecida de Goiânia | 29.0% |
| 183 | Ji-Paraná | 28.9% |
| 184 | Angra dos Reis | 28.7% |
Median monthly household income per person (2022)
Sobral ranks 307 of 320, highest first.
| Rank | City | Median monthly household income per person |
|---|---|---|
| 304 | Marituba | R$ 625 |
| 305 | Santa Rita | R$ 622 |
| 306 | Cabo de Santo Agostinho | R$ 622 |
| 307 | Sobral | R$ 621 |
| 308 | Maranguape | R$ 607 |
| 309 | Nossa Senhora do Socorro | R$ 606 |
| 310 | Igarassu | R$ 606 |
More on Sobral: 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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