Economy, jobs and prices in Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil: official figures
The gross domestic product of Rio Grande do Sul was R$650.1 billion in 2023 at current prices, 5.9% of Brazil's R$10.94 trillion and 5th largest of 27. In current reais it was up 9.5% on 2022.
How fast is the economy of Rio Grande do Sul growing?
After removing price changes, the economy of Rio Grande do Sul grew 1.3% in 2023, against 3.2% for Brazil; 2nd slowest growth of 27.
Source: Instituto Brasileiro de Geografia e Estatistica (IBGE) · saved copyHas the economy of Rio Grande do Sul grown since 2010?
In real terms, GDP in Rio Grande do Sul was 8.2% higher in 2023 than in 2010 (Brazil: 15.1% higher), 4th smallest growth of 27 over the period. Its share of national GDP moved from 6.21% in 2010 to 5.94% in 2023.
Source: Instituto Brasileiro de Geografia e Estatistica (IBGE) · saved copyWhat is the GDP per capita of Rio Grande do Sul?
Dividing 2023 GDP by the 2022 census population (IBGE used the census count for 2023 because no 2023 estimate was made) gives R$59,736 per person, 1.11 times the Brazilian figure of R$53,887; 7th highest of 27.
Source: Instituto Brasileiro de Geografia e Estatistica (IBGE) · saved copyWhat are the main industries in Rio Grande do Sul?
In 2023 services made up 64.7% of gross value added in Rio Grande do Sul, industry 26.5% and agriculture and livestock 8.8% (14th highest agricultural share of 27; Brazil 6.9%).
Source: Instituto Brasileiro de Geografia e Estatistica (IBGE) · saved copyHow big is the public sector in the economy of Rio Grande do Sul?
The largest activities in the economy of Rio Grande do Sul in 2023 were manufacturing (20.6% of gross value added), other services (18.1%) and public administration, defence, public education and health, and social security (14.1%). The public sector (administration, public education and health, social security) accounted for 14.1%, 5th lowest of 27.
Source: Instituto Brasileiro de Geografia e Estatistica (IBGE) · saved copyWhat is the unemployment rate in Rio Grande do Sul?
The unemployment rate in Rio Grande do Sul was 4.2% in April to June 2026, according to IBGE's PNAD Continua survey, against 5.4% for Brazil; 10th lowest of 27. A year earlier (April to June 2025) it was 4.3%.
Source: Instituto Brasileiro de Geografia e Estatistica (IBGE) · saved copyWhat was the highest unemployment rate in Rio Grande do Sul?
Since the PNAD Continua series began in 2012, quarterly unemployment in Rio Grande do Sul peaked at 9.2% in January to March 2017; its lowest rate was 3.7% in October to December 2025.
Source: Instituto Brasileiro de Geografia e Estatistica (IBGE) · saved copyWhat is the labour force participation rate in Rio Grande do Sul?
In April to June 2026, 65.6% of people aged 14 and over in Rio Grande do Sul were in the labour force (working or looking for work), 7th highest of 27 (Brazil 62.1%).
Source: Instituto Brasileiro de Geografia e Estatistica (IBGE) · saved copyHow many people are employed in Rio Grande do Sul?
About 5,902,000 people in Rio Grande do Sul were employed in April to June 2026 and 256,000 were unemployed; 62.8% of the population aged 14 and over had a job (tied for 7th highest of 27).
Source: Instituto Brasileiro de Geografia e Estatistica (IBGE) · saved copyHow many workers in Rio Grande do Sul are informal?
29.6% of employed people in Rio Grande do Sul worked informally in April to June 2026 (about 1,750,000 people), against 37.4% nationally; 4th lowest of 27. A year earlier the rate was 31.1%.
Source: Instituto Brasileiro de Geografia e Estatistica (IBGE) · saved copyWhat is the average salary in Rio Grande do Sul?
Employed people in Rio Grande do Sul usually earned an average of R$4,009 a month from their main job in April to June 2026 (Brazil R$3,621); 5th highest of 27. Adjusted for inflation that is up 4.6% on a year earlier and up 15.5% on April to June 2019.
Source: Instituto Brasileiro de Geografia e Estatistica (IBGE) · saved copyWhat is the average household income in Rio Grande do Sul?
Average household income per person in Rio Grande do Sul was R$2,772 a month in 2025, against R$2,264 for Brazil; 3rd highest of 27.
Source: Instituto Brasileiro de Geografia e Estatistica (IBGE) · saved copyHow big is the gap between rich and poor in Rio Grande do Sul?
In 2025 the richest 10% of people in Rio Grande do Sul had an average household income of R$10,198 per person a month and the poorest 10% R$442, a ratio of 23.1 to 1 (5th narrowest gap of 27).
Source: Instituto Brasileiro de Geografia e Estatistica (IBGE) · saved copyHow unequal is income in Rio Grande do Sul?
The Gini index of household income per person in Rio Grande do Sul was 0.468 in 2025 (Brazil 0.511), 6th least unequal of 27; in 2019 it was 0.481.
Source: Instituto Brasileiro de Geografia e Estatistica (IBGE) · saved copyWhat is the average income in Rio Grande do Sul?
Average household income per person in Rio Grande do Sul was R$2,526 a month in 2024 and the median was R$1,692; the average is 4th 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 copyIs income growing in Rio Grande do Sul?
In 2024 prices, average household income per person in Rio Grande do Sul rose from R$2,278 a month in 2019 to R$2,526 in 2024, 2.1% a year (Brazil: 2.2% a year); for the poorest 40% it grew 3.1% a year.
Source: Instituto Brasileiro de Geografia e Estatistica (IBGE) · saved copyMore figures
- White residents of Rio Grande do Sul had an average household income of R$2,752 per person a month in 2024, against R$1,769 for Black and mixed-race (preto or pardo) residents. Source: Instituto Brasileiro de Geografia e Estatistica (IBGE) · saved copy
How Rio Grande do Sul compares with other states
GDP at current prices, 2023 (2023)
Rio Grande do Sul ranks 5 of 27, highest first.
| Rank | Region | GDP at current prices, 2023 |
|---|---|---|
| 2 | Rio de Janeiro | R$1.17 trillion |
| 3 | Minas Gerais | R$972.0 billion |
| 4 | Parana | R$670.9 billion |
| 5 | Rio Grande do Sul | R$650.1 billion |
| 6 | Santa Catarina | R$513.4 billion |
| 7 | Bahia | R$431.0 billion |
| 8 | Distrito Federal | R$365.7 billion |
GDP per person, 2023 (2023 GDP / 2022 census population) (2023)
Rio Grande do Sul ranks 7 of 27, highest first.
| Rank | Region | GDP per person, 2023 (2023 GDP / 2022 census population) |
|---|---|---|
| 4 | Rio de Janeiro | R$73,053 |
| 5 | Santa Catarina | R$67,460 |
| 6 | Mato Grosso do Sul | R$66,885 |
| 7 | Rio Grande do Sul | R$59,736 |
| 8 | Parana | R$58,624 |
| 9 | Espirito Santo | R$54,733 |
| 10 | Rondonia | R$48,353 |
Real GDP growth, 2023 (2023)
Rio Grande do Sul ranks 26 of 27, highest first.
| Rank | Region | Real GDP growth, 2023 |
|---|---|---|
| 21 | Bahia | 2.3% |
| 22 | Amazonas | 2.1% |
| 23 | Santa Catarina | 1.9% |
| 24 | Para | 1.4% |
| 25 | Sao Paulo | 1.4% |
| 26 | Rio Grande do Sul | 1.3% |
| 27 | Rondonia | 1.3% |
Real GDP growth, 2010-2023 (cumulative) (2010-2023)
Rio Grande do Sul ranks 24 of 27, highest first.
| Rank | Region | Real GDP growth, 2010-2023 (cumulative) |
|---|---|---|
| 21 | Rio de Janeiro | 12.2% |
| 22 | Minas Gerais | 11.5% |
| 23 | Sao Paulo | 8.9% |
| 24 | Rio Grande do Sul | 8.2% |
| 25 | Sergipe | 7.3% |
| 26 | Bahia | 6.9% |
| 27 | Espirito Santo | 4.7% |
Agriculture and livestock share of gross value added, 2023 (2023)
Rio Grande do Sul ranks 14 of 27, highest first.
| Rank | Region | Agriculture and livestock share of gross value added, 2023 |
|---|---|---|
| 11 | Parana | 11.1% |
| 12 | Bahia | 10.4% |
| 13 | Roraima | 8.9% |
| 14 | Rio Grande do Sul | 8.8% |
| 15 | Minas Gerais | 7.3% |
| 16 | Santa Catarina | 7.1% |
| 17 | Sergipe | 6.5% |
Unemployment rate, Q2 2026 (Q2 2026)
Rio Grande do Sul ranks 18 of 27, highest first.
| Rank | Region | Unemployment rate, Q2 2026 |
|---|---|---|
| 15 | Sao Paulo | 5.4% |
| 16 | Paraiba | 5.4% |
| 17 | Roraima | 5.0% |
| 18 | Rio Grande do Sul | 4.2% |
| 19 | Tocantins | 4.1% |
| 20 | Goias | 4.0% |
| 21 | Minas Gerais | 3.8% |
Labour force participation rate (age 14+), Q2 2026 (Q2 2026)
Rio Grande do Sul ranks 7 of 27, highest first.
| Rank | Region | Labour force participation rate (age 14+), Q2 2026 |
|---|---|---|
| 4 | Sao Paulo | 67.1% |
| 5 | Goias | 66.5% |
| 6 | Parana | 65.8% |
| 7 | Rio Grande do Sul | 65.6% |
| 8 | Mato Grosso do Sul | 65.3% |
| 9 | Tocantins | 64.4% |
| 10 | Roraima | 64.1% |
Informality rate of employed people, Q2 2026 (Q2 2026)
Rio Grande do Sul ranks 24 of 27, highest first.
| Rank | Region | Informality rate of employed people, Q2 2026 |
|---|---|---|
| 21 | Mato Grosso | 34.1% |
| 22 | Parana | 30.5% |
| 23 | Sao Paulo | 30.1% |
| 24 | Rio Grande do Sul | 29.6% |
| 25 | Mato Grosso do Sul | 29.2% |
| 26 | Distrito Federal | 28.7% |
| 27 | Santa Catarina | 25.4% |
Average usual monthly earnings, main job, Q2 2026 (Q2 2026)
Rio Grande do Sul ranks 5 of 27, highest first.
| Rank | Region | Average usual monthly earnings, main job, Q2 2026 |
|---|---|---|
| 2 | Sao Paulo | R$4,336 |
| 3 | Santa Catarina | R$4,301 |
| 4 | Parana | R$4,083 |
| 5 | Rio Grande do Sul | R$4,009 |
| 6 | Rio de Janeiro | R$4,001 |
| 7 | Mato Grosso | R$3,994 |
| 8 | Goias | R$3,844 |
Average monthly household income per person, 2025 (2025)
Rio Grande do Sul ranks 3 of 27, highest first.
| Rank | Region | Average monthly household income per person, 2025 |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Distrito Federal | R$4,401 |
| 2 | Sao Paulo | R$2,862 |
| 3 | Rio Grande do Sul | R$2,772 |
| 4 | Santa Catarina | R$2,752 |
| 5 | Rio de Janeiro | R$2,732 |
| 6 | Parana | R$2,687 |
| 7 | Goias | R$2,378 |
Gini index of household income per person, 2025 (2025)
Rio Grande do Sul ranks 22 of 27, highest first. Gini index: 0 means everyone has the same income, 1 means one person has all of it.
| Rank | Region | Gini index of household income per person, 2025 |
|---|---|---|
| 19 | Minas Gerais | 0.473 |
| 20 | Tocantins | 0.472 |
| 21 | Parana | 0.470 |
| 22 | Rio Grande do Sul | 0.468 |
| 23 | Bahia | 0.466 |
| 24 | Rondonia | 0.458 |
| 25 | Mato Grosso do Sul | 0.457 |
Average monthly household income per person (R$) (2024)
Rio Grande do Sul ranks 4 of 27, highest first.
| Rank | Region | Average monthly household income per person (R$) |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Distrito Federal | R$3,281 |
| 2 | Sao Paulo | R$2,582 |
| 3 | Santa Catarina | R$2,552 |
| 4 | Rio Grande do Sul | R$2,526 |
| 5 | Rio de Janeiro | R$2,431 |
| 6 | Parana | R$2,408 |
| 7 | Mato Grosso | R$2,245 |
More on Rio Grande do Sul: 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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