Economy, jobs and prices in Santa Catarina, Brazil: official figures
The gross domestic product of Santa Catarina was R$513.4 billion in 2023 at current prices, 4.7% of Brazil's R$10.94 trillion and 6th largest of 27. In current reais it was up 10.1% on 2022.
How fast is the economy of Santa Catarina growing?
After removing price changes, the economy of Santa Catarina grew 1.9% in 2023, against 3.2% for Brazil; 5th slowest growth of 27.
Source: Instituto Brasileiro de Geografia e Estatistica (IBGE) · saved copyHas the economy of Santa Catarina grown since 2010?
In real terms, GDP in Santa Catarina was 26.2% higher in 2023 than in 2010 (Brazil: 15.1% higher), 11th largest growth of 27 over the period. Its share of national GDP moved from 3.96% in 2010 to 4.69% in 2023.
Source: Instituto Brasileiro de Geografia e Estatistica (IBGE) · saved copyWhat is the GDP per capita of Santa Catarina?
Dividing 2023 GDP by the 2022 census population (IBGE used the census count for 2023 because no 2023 estimate was made) gives R$67,460 per person, 1.25 times the Brazilian figure of R$53,887; 5th highest of 27.
Source: Instituto Brasileiro de Geografia e Estatistica (IBGE) · saved copyWhat are the main industries in Santa Catarina?
In 2023 services made up 64.2% of gross value added in Santa Catarina, industry 28.7% and agriculture and livestock 7.1% (12th lowest 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 Santa Catarina?
The largest activities in the economy of Santa Catarina in 2023 were manufacturing (22.8% of gross value added), trade and vehicle repair (15.7%) and other services (15.6%). The public sector (administration, public education and health, social security) accounted for 12.8%, 3rd lowest of 27.
Source: Instituto Brasileiro de Geografia e Estatistica (IBGE) · saved copyWhat is the unemployment rate in Santa Catarina?
The unemployment rate in Santa Catarina was 2.1% in April to June 2026, according to IBGE's PNAD Continua survey, against 5.4% for Brazil; the lowest of 27. A year earlier (April to June 2025) it was 2.2%.
Source: Instituto Brasileiro de Geografia e Estatistica (IBGE) · saved copyWhat was the highest unemployment rate in Santa Catarina?
Since the PNAD Continua series began in 2012, quarterly unemployment in Santa Catarina peaked at 7.9% in January to March 2017; its lowest rate was 2.1% in April to June 2026.
Source: Instituto Brasileiro de Geografia e Estatistica (IBGE) · saved copyWhat is the labour force participation rate in Santa Catarina?
In April to June 2026, 68.1% of people aged 14 and over in Santa Catarina were in the labour force (working or looking for work), 2nd highest of 27 (Brazil 62.1%).
Source: Instituto Brasileiro de Geografia e Estatistica (IBGE) · saved copyHow many people are employed in Santa Catarina?
About 4,550,000 people in Santa Catarina were employed in April to June 2026 and 98,000 were unemployed; 66.6% of the population aged 14 and over had a job (2nd highest of 27).
Source: Instituto Brasileiro de Geografia e Estatistica (IBGE) · saved copyHow many workers in Santa Catarina are informal?
25.4% of employed people in Santa Catarina worked informally in April to June 2026 (about 1,155,000 people), against 37.4% nationally; the lowest of 27. A year earlier the rate was 24.7%.
Source: Instituto Brasileiro de Geografia e Estatistica (IBGE) · saved copyWhat is the average salary in Santa Catarina?
Employed people in Santa Catarina usually earned an average of R$4,301 a month from their main job in April to June 2026 (Brazil R$3,621); 3rd highest of 27. Adjusted for inflation that is up 2.7% on a year earlier and up 23.2% on April to June 2019.
Source: Instituto Brasileiro de Geografia e Estatistica (IBGE) · saved copyWhat is the average household income in Santa Catarina?
Average household income per person in Santa Catarina was R$2,752 a month in 2025, against R$2,264 for Brazil; 4th highest of 27.
Source: Instituto Brasileiro de Geografia e Estatistica (IBGE) · saved copyHow big is the gap between rich and poor in Santa Catarina?
In 2025 the richest 10% of people in Santa Catarina had an average household income of R$9,171 per person a month and the poorest 10% R$489, a ratio of 18.8 to 1 (2nd narrowest gap of 27).
Source: Instituto Brasileiro de Geografia e Estatistica (IBGE) · saved copyHow unequal is income in Santa Catarina?
The Gini index of household income per person in Santa Catarina was 0.425 in 2025 (Brazil 0.511), the least unequal of 27; in 2019 it was 0.422.
Source: Instituto Brasileiro de Geografia e Estatistica (IBGE) · saved copyWhat is the average income in Santa Catarina?
Average household income per person in Santa Catarina was R$2,552 a month in 2024 and the median was R$1,812; the average is 3rd 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 Santa Catarina?
In 2024 prices, average household income per person in Santa Catarina rose from R$2,220 a month in 2019 to R$2,552 in 2024, 2.8% a year (Brazil: 2.2% a year); for the poorest 40% it grew 2.5% a year.
Source: Instituto Brasileiro de Geografia e Estatistica (IBGE) · saved copyMore figures
- White residents of Santa Catarina had an average household income of R$2,755 per person a month in 2024, against R$1,880 for Black and mixed-race (preto or pardo) residents. Source: Instituto Brasileiro de Geografia e Estatistica (IBGE) · saved copy
How Santa Catarina compares with other states
GDP at current prices, 2023 (2023)
Santa Catarina ranks 6 of 27, highest first.
| Rank | Region | GDP at current prices, 2023 |
|---|---|---|
| 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 |
| 9 | Goias | R$336.7 billion |
GDP per person, 2023 (2023 GDP / 2022 census population) (2023)
Santa Catarina ranks 5 of 27, highest first.
| Rank | Region | GDP per person, 2023 (2023 GDP / 2022 census population) |
|---|---|---|
| 2 | Sao Paulo | R$77,566 |
| 3 | Mato Grosso | R$74,620 |
| 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 |
Real GDP growth, 2023 (2023)
Santa Catarina ranks 23 of 27, highest first.
| Rank | Region | Real GDP growth, 2023 |
|---|---|---|
| 20 | Pernambuco | 2.4% |
| 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% |
Real GDP growth, 2010-2023 (cumulative) (2010-2023)
Santa Catarina ranks 11 of 27, highest first.
| Rank | Region | Real GDP growth, 2010-2023 (cumulative) |
|---|---|---|
| 8 | Amazonas | 27.5% |
| 9 | Paraiba | 26.9% |
| 10 | Goias | 26.8% |
| 11 | Santa Catarina | 26.2% |
| 12 | Alagoas | 24.7% |
| 13 | Amapa | 24.2% |
| 14 | Distrito Federal | 22.6% |
Agriculture and livestock share of gross value added, 2023 (2023)
Santa Catarina ranks 16 of 27, highest first.
| Rank | Region | Agriculture and livestock share of gross value added, 2023 |
|---|---|---|
| 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% |
| 18 | Ceara | 6.0% |
| 19 | Pernambuco | 5.7% |
Unemployment rate, Q2 2026 (Q2 2026)
Santa Catarina ranks 27 of 27, highest first.
| Rank | Region | Unemployment rate, Q2 2026 |
|---|---|---|
| 21 | Minas Gerais | 3.8% |
| 22 | Parana | 3.1% |
| 23 | Mato Grosso do Sul | 2.7% |
| 24 | Rondonia | 2.6% |
| 25 | Espirito Santo | 2.3% |
| 26 | Mato Grosso | 2.2% |
| 27 | Santa Catarina | 2.1% |
Labour force participation rate (age 14+), Q2 2026 (Q2 2026)
Santa Catarina ranks 2 of 27, highest first.
| Rank | Region | Labour force participation rate (age 14+), Q2 2026 |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Mato Grosso | 68.8% |
| 2 | Santa Catarina | 68.1% |
| 3 | Distrito Federal | 67.2% |
| 4 | Sao Paulo | 67.1% |
| 5 | Goias | 66.5% |
| 6 | Parana | 65.8% |
| 7 | Rio Grande do Sul | 65.6% |
Informality rate of employed people, Q2 2026 (Q2 2026)
Santa Catarina ranks 27 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)
Santa Catarina ranks 3 of 27, highest first.
| Rank | Region | Average usual monthly earnings, main job, Q2 2026 |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Distrito Federal | R$6,007 |
| 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 |
Average monthly household income per person, 2025 (2025)
Santa Catarina ranks 4 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$2,378 |
Gini index of household income per person, 2025 (2025)
Santa Catarina ranks 27 of 27, highest first. Gini index: 0 means everyone has the same income, 1 means one person has all of it.
| Rank | Region | Gini index of household income per person, 2025 |
|---|---|---|
| 21 | Parana | 0.470 |
| 22 | Rio Grande do Sul | 0.468 |
| 23 | Bahia | 0.466 |
| 24 | Rondonia | 0.458 |
| 25 | Mato Grosso do Sul | 0.457 |
| 26 | Mato Grosso | 0.439 |
| 27 | Santa Catarina | 0.425 |
Average monthly household income per person (R$) (2024)
Santa Catarina ranks 3 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 Santa Catarina: 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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