What share of the economy of Rio Grande do Norte is in its largest cities?

The five municipalities with the largest GDP in Rio Grande do Norte produced 53.3% of its GDP in 2023 while holding 42.4% of its population, according to IBGE's municipal GDP figures.

Economy, jobs and prices in Rio Grande do Norte, Brazil: official figures

The gross domestic product of Rio Grande do Norte was R$101.7 billion in 2023 at current prices, 0.9% of Brazil's R$10.94 trillion and 10th smallest of 27. In current reais it was up 8.4% on 2022.

GDP (current prices)

R$101.7 billion

2023

GDP per person

R$30,805

2023

Unemployment rate (Q2 2026)

5.6%

Q2 2026

Average monthly earnings, main job (Q2 2026)

R$2,737

Q2 2026

Household income per person, monthly (2025)

R$1,779

2025

Average monthly household income per person

R$1,552

2024

How fast is the economy of Rio Grande do Norte growing?

After removing price changes, the economy of Rio Grande do Norte grew 4.2% in 2023, against 3.2% for Brazil; 8th fastest growth of 27.

Source: Instituto Brasileiro de Geografia e Estatistica (IBGE) · saved copy

Has the economy of Rio Grande do Norte grown since 2010?

In real terms, GDP in Rio Grande do Norte was 18.9% higher in 2023 than in 2010 (Brazil: 15.1% higher), 12th smallest growth of 27 over the period. Its share of national GDP moved from 0.93% in 2010 to 0.93% in 2023.

Source: Instituto Brasileiro de Geografia e Estatistica (IBGE) · saved copy

What is the GDP per capita of Rio Grande do Norte?

Dividing 2023 GDP by the 2022 census population (IBGE used the census count for 2023 because no 2023 estimate was made) gives R$30,805 per person, 0.57 times the Brazilian figure of R$53,887; 9th lowest of 27.

Source: Instituto Brasileiro de Geografia e Estatistica (IBGE) · saved copy

What are the main industries in Rio Grande do Norte?

In 2023 services made up 72.4% of gross value added in Rio Grande do Norte, industry 23.4% and agriculture and livestock 4.2% (5th lowest agricultural share of 27; Brazil 6.9%).

Source: Instituto Brasileiro de Geografia e Estatistica (IBGE) · saved copy

How big is the public sector in the economy of Rio Grande do Norte?

The largest activities in the economy of Rio Grande do Norte in 2023 were public administration, defence, public education and health, and social security (29.3% of gross value added), other services (17.4%) and trade and vehicle repair (10.9%). The public sector (administration, public education and health, social security) accounted for 29.3%, 8th highest of 27.

Source: Instituto Brasileiro de Geografia e Estatistica (IBGE) · saved copy

What is the unemployment rate in Rio Grande do Norte?

The unemployment rate in Rio Grande do Norte was 5.6% in April to June 2026, according to IBGE's PNAD Continua survey, against 5.4% for Brazil; 14th highest of 27. A year earlier (April to June 2025) it was 7.5%.

Source: Instituto Brasileiro de Geografia e Estatistica (IBGE) · saved copy

What was the highest unemployment rate in Rio Grande do Norte?

Since the PNAD Continua series began in 2012, quarterly unemployment in Rio Grande do Norte peaked at 16.5% in January to March 2017; its lowest rate was 5.6% in April to June 2026.

Source: Instituto Brasileiro de Geografia e Estatistica (IBGE) · saved copy

What is the labour force participation rate in Rio Grande do Norte?

In April to June 2026, 51.4% of people aged 14 and over in Rio Grande do Norte were in the labour force (working or looking for work), the lowest of 27 (Brazil 62.1%).

Source: Instituto Brasileiro de Geografia e Estatistica (IBGE) · saved copy

How many people are employed in Rio Grande do Norte?

About 1,383,000 people in Rio Grande do Norte were employed in April to June 2026 and 83,000 were unemployed; 48.5% of the population aged 14 and over had a job (tied for 4th lowest of 27).

Source: Instituto Brasileiro de Geografia e Estatistica (IBGE) · saved copy

How many workers in Rio Grande do Norte are informal?

41.3% of employed people in Rio Grande do Norte worked informally in April to June 2026 (about 571,000 people), against 37.4% nationally; 13th lowest of 27. A year earlier the rate was 39.5%.

Source: Instituto Brasileiro de Geografia e Estatistica (IBGE) · saved copy

What is the average salary in Rio Grande do Norte?

Employed people in Rio Grande do Norte usually earned an average of R$2,737 a month from their main job in April to June 2026 (Brazil R$3,621); 10th lowest of 27. Adjusted for inflation that is down 4.4% on a year earlier and up 16.3% on April to June 2019.

Source: Instituto Brasileiro de Geografia e Estatistica (IBGE) · saved copy

What is the average household income in Rio Grande do Norte?

Average household income per person in Rio Grande do Norte was R$1,779 a month in 2025, against R$2,264 for Brazil; 13th lowest of 27.

Source: Instituto Brasileiro de Geografia e Estatistica (IBGE) · saved copy

How big is the gap between rich and poor in Rio Grande do Norte?

In 2025 the richest 10% of people in Rio Grande do Norte had an average household income of R$7,897 per person a month and the poorest 10% R$205, a ratio of 38.5 to 1 (3rd widest gap of 27).

Source: Instituto Brasileiro de Geografia e Estatistica (IBGE) · saved copy

How unequal is income in Rio Grande do Norte?

The Gini index of household income per person in Rio Grande do Norte was 0.540 in 2025 (Brazil 0.511), 3rd most unequal of 27; in 2019 it was 0.555.

Source: Instituto Brasileiro de Geografia e Estatistica (IBGE) · saved copy

What is the average income in Rio Grande do Norte?

Average household income per person in Rio Grande do Norte was R$1,552 a month in 2024 and the median was R$939; the average is 14th highest of the 26 states and the Federal District (Brazil: R$2,017 average, R$1,328 median).

Source: Instituto Brasileiro de Geografia e Estatistica (IBGE) · saved copy

Is income growing in Rio Grande do Norte?

In 2024 prices, average household income per person in Rio Grande do Norte rose from R$1,332 a month in 2019 to R$1,552 in 2024, 3.1% a year (Brazil: 2.2% a year); for the poorest 40% it grew 8.2% a year.

Source: Instituto Brasileiro de Geografia e Estatistica (IBGE) · saved copy

More figures

White residents of Rio Grande do Norte had an average household income of R$1,869 per person a month in 2024, against R$1,359 for Black and mixed-race (preto or pardo) residents. Source: Instituto Brasileiro de Geografia e Estatistica (IBGE) · saved copy

How Rio Grande do Norte compares with other states

GDP at current prices, 2023 (2023)

Rio Grande do Norte ranks 18 of 27, highest first.

Rank	Region	GDP at current prices, 2023
15	Mato Grosso do Sul	R$184.4 billion
16	Amazonas	R$161.8 billion
17	Maranhao	R$149.2 billion
18	Rio Grande do Norte	R$101.7 billion
19	Paraiba	R$97.0 billion
20	Alagoas	R$89.7 billion
21	Piaui	R$80.9 billion

Source: Instituto Brasileiro de Geografia e Estatistica (IBGE) · saved copy

GDP per person, 2023 (2023 GDP / 2022 census population) (2023)

Rio Grande do Norte ranks 19 of 27, highest first.

Rank	Region	GDP per person, 2023 (2023 GDP / 2022 census population)
16	Amapa	R$38,187
17	Acre	R$31,676
18	Para	R$31,348
19	Rio Grande do Norte	R$30,805
20	Bahia	R$30,477
21	Pernambuco	R$29,857
22	Alagoas	R$28,676

Source: Instituto Brasileiro de Geografia e Estatistica (IBGE) · saved copy

Real GDP growth, 2023 (2023)

Rio Grande do Norte ranks 8 of 27, highest first.

Rank	Region	Real GDP growth, 2023
5	Rio de Janeiro	5.7%
6	Goias	4.8%
7	Parana	4.3%
8	Rio Grande do Norte	4.2%
9	Roraima	4.2%
10	Maranhao	3.6%
11	Alagoas	3.5%

Source: Instituto Brasileiro de Geografia e Estatistica (IBGE) · saved copy

Real GDP growth, 2010-2023 (cumulative) (2010-2023)

Rio Grande do Norte ranks 16 of 27, highest first.

Rank	Region	Real GDP growth, 2010-2023 (cumulative)
13	Amapa	24.2%
14	Distrito Federal	22.6%
15	Rondonia	20.9%
16	Rio Grande do Norte	18.9%
17	Para	18.8%
18	Ceara	18.0%
19	Pernambuco	14.9%

Source: Instituto Brasileiro de Geografia e Estatistica (IBGE) · saved copy

Agriculture and livestock share of gross value added, 2023 (2023)

Rio Grande do Norte ranks 23 of 27, highest first.

Rank	Region	Agriculture and livestock share of gross value added, 2023
20	Amazonas	5.4%
21	Espirito Santo	5.4%
22	Paraiba	4.8%
23	Rio Grande do Norte	4.2%
24	Sao Paulo	2.4%
25	Amapa	1.2%
26	Rio de Janeiro	0.5%

Source: Instituto Brasileiro de Geografia e Estatistica (IBGE) · saved copy

Unemployment rate, Q2 2026 (Q2 2026)

Rio Grande do Norte ranks 14 of 27, highest first.

Rank	Region	Unemployment rate, Q2 2026
11	Distrito Federal	6.5%
12	Para	6.2%
13	Maranhao	6.0%
14	Rio Grande do Norte	5.6%
15	Sao Paulo	5.4%
16	Paraiba	5.4%
17	Roraima	5.0%

Source: Instituto Brasileiro de Geografia e Estatistica (IBGE) · saved copy

Labour force participation rate (age 14+), Q2 2026 (Q2 2026)

Rio Grande do Norte ranks 27 of 27, highest first.

Rank	Region	Labour force participation rate (age 14+), Q2 2026
21	Acre	54.4%
22	Piaui	52.9%
23	Maranhao	52.3%
24	Pernambuco	51.8%
25	Ceara	51.8%
26	Alagoas	51.6%
27	Rio Grande do Norte	51.4%

Source: Instituto Brasileiro de Geografia e Estatistica (IBGE) · saved copy

Informality rate of employed people, Q2 2026 (Q2 2026)

Rio Grande do Norte ranks 15 of 27, highest first.

Rank	Region	Informality rate of employed people, Q2 2026
12	Alagoas	43.4%
13	Roraima	42.7%
14	Rondonia	42.0%
15	Rio Grande do Norte	41.3%
16	Espirito Santo	40.0%
17	Tocantins	37.8%
18	Rio de Janeiro	37.1%

Source: Instituto Brasileiro de Geografia e Estatistica (IBGE) · saved copy

Average usual monthly earnings, main job, Q2 2026 (Q2 2026)

Rio Grande do Norte ranks 18 of 27, highest first.

Rank	Region	Average usual monthly earnings, main job, Q2 2026
15	Amapa	R$3,058
16	Acre	R$3,039
17	Sergipe	R$2,865
18	Rio Grande do Norte	R$2,737
19	Amazonas	R$2,704
20	Pernambuco	R$2,645
21	Paraiba	R$2,644

Source: Instituto Brasileiro de Geografia e Estatistica (IBGE) · saved copy

Average monthly household income per person, 2025 (2025)

Rio Grande do Norte ranks 15 of 27, highest first.

Rank	Region	Average monthly household income per person, 2025
12	Tocantins	R$1,979
13	Rondonia	R$1,970
14	Roraima	R$1,870
15	Rio Grande do Norte	R$1,779
16	Sergipe	R$1,688
17	Amapa	R$1,675
18	Pernambuco	R$1,568

Source: Instituto Brasileiro de Geografia e Estatistica (IBGE) · saved copy

Gini index of household income per person, 2025 (2025)

Rio Grande do Norte ranks 3 of 27, highest first. Gini index: 0 means everyone has the same income, 1 means one person has all of it.

Rank	Region	Gini index of household income per person, 2025
1	Distrito Federal	0.570
2	Rio de Janeiro	0.543
3	Rio Grande do Norte	0.540
4	Sergipe	0.532
5	Pernambuco	0.520
6	Alagoas	0.512
7	Acre	0.509

Source: Instituto Brasileiro de Geografia e Estatistica (IBGE) · saved copy

Average monthly household income per person (R$) (2024)

Rio Grande do Norte ranks 14 of 27, highest first.

Rank	Region	Average monthly household income per person (R$)
11	Minas Gerais	R$1,952
12	Tocantins	R$1,736
13	Rondonia	R$1,724
14	Rio Grande do Norte	R$1,552
15	Roraima	R$1,531
16	Amapa	R$1,530
17	Sergipe	R$1,426

Source: Instituto Brasileiro de Geografia e Estatistica (IBGE) · saved copy

More on Rio Grande do Norte: overview · health · education and schools · poverty and living standards · government budget · Brazil

Sources

Instituto Brasileiro de Geografia e Estatistica (IBGE): Sistema de Contas Regionais: Brasil 2023, special tables 2010-2023 (table 1 GDP at current prices, table 3 chained volume index of GDP, table 7 composition of gross value added), read 23 October 2026 · saved copy (SHA-256 948efefe5846…)
Instituto Brasileiro de Geografia e Estatistica (IBGE): PNAD Continua trimestral: SIDRA table 5436, average real monthly usual earnings from the main job of employed people aged 14 and over, read 23 October 2026 · saved copy (SHA-256 136668052cfe…)
Instituto Brasileiro de Geografia e Estatistica (IBGE): PNAD Continua anual: SIDRA table 7435, Gini index of household income per person, read 23 October 2026 · saved copy (SHA-256 c1d74e53cf3b…)
Instituto Brasileiro de Geografia e Estatistica (IBGE): PNAD Continua anual: SIDRA table 7531, average monthly household income per person (total, poorest 10%, richest 10%), at each year's average prices, read 23 October 2026 · saved copy (SHA-256 fbfec5f10cf3…)
Instituto Brasileiro de Geografia e Estatistica (IBGE): Produto Interno Bruto dos Municipios 2023, table 5: share of the five municipalities with the largest GDP in each state's GDP, municipalities and population, read 23 October 2026 · saved copy (SHA-256 3a0c51d647ca…)
Instituto Brasileiro de Geografia e Estatistica (IBGE): PNAD Continua trimestral: SIDRA table 4093, people aged 14 and over by labour force status, participation, employment, unemployment and informality rates, read 23 October 2026 · saved copy (SHA-256 56ea7680db47…)
Instituto Brasileiro de Geografia e Estatistica (IBGE): Sintese de Indicadores Sociais 2025, chapter 2 tables (income distribution and poverty): Tables 2.1, 2.11, 2.13, 2.14, 2.15, 2.18, 2.20, 2.22, 2.23 (PNAD Continua 2024), read 23 October 2026 · saved copy (SHA-256 e2084f0fca81…)

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