Economy, jobs and prices in Sao Paulo, Brazil: official figures
The gross domestic product of Sao Paulo was R$3.44 trillion in 2023 at current prices, 31.5% of Brazil's R$10.94 trillion and the largest of 27. In current reais it was up 10.0% on 2022.
How fast is the economy of Sao Paulo growing?
After removing price changes, the economy of Sao Paulo grew 1.4% in 2023, against 3.2% for Brazil; 3rd slowest growth of 27.
Source: Instituto Brasileiro de Geografia e Estatistica (IBGE) · saved copyHas the economy of Sao Paulo grown since 2010?
In real terms, GDP in Sao Paulo was 8.9% higher in 2023 than in 2010 (Brazil: 15.1% higher), 5th smallest growth of 27 over the period. Its share of national GDP moved from 33.32% in 2010 to 31.48% in 2023.
Source: Instituto Brasileiro de Geografia e Estatistica (IBGE) · saved copyWhat is the GDP per capita of Sao Paulo?
Dividing 2023 GDP by the 2022 census population (IBGE used the census count for 2023 because no 2023 estimate was made) gives R$77,566 per person, 1.44 times the Brazilian figure of R$53,887; 2nd highest of 27.
Source: Instituto Brasileiro de Geografia e Estatistica (IBGE) · saved copyWhat are the main industries in Sao Paulo?
In 2023 services made up 73.9% of gross value added in Sao Paulo, industry 23.7% and agriculture and livestock 2.4% (4th 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 Sao Paulo?
The largest activities in the economy of Sao Paulo in 2023 were other services (20.0% of gross value added), manufacturing (18.3%) and trade and vehicle repair (12.9%). The public sector (administration, public education and health, social security) accounted for 8.5%, the lowest of 27.
Source: Instituto Brasileiro de Geografia e Estatistica (IBGE) · saved copyWhat is the unemployment rate in Sao Paulo?
The unemployment rate in Sao Paulo was 5.4% in April to June 2026, according to IBGE's PNAD Continua survey, against 5.4% for Brazil; tied for 12th lowest of 27. A year earlier (April to June 2025) it was 5.1%.
Source: Instituto Brasileiro de Geografia e Estatistica (IBGE) · saved copyWhat was the highest unemployment rate in Sao Paulo?
Since the PNAD Continua series began in 2012, quarterly unemployment in Sao Paulo peaked at 14.4% in January to March 2017; its lowest rate was 4.7% in October to December 2025.
Source: Instituto Brasileiro de Geografia e Estatistica (IBGE) · saved copyWhat is the labour force participation rate in Sao Paulo?
In April to June 2026, 67.1% of people aged 14 and over in Sao Paulo were in the labour force (working or looking for work), 4th highest of 27 (Brazil 62.1%).
Source: Instituto Brasileiro de Geografia e Estatistica (IBGE) · saved copyHow many people are employed in Sao Paulo?
About 24,554,000 people in Sao Paulo were employed in April to June 2026 and 1,391,000 were unemployed; 63.5% of the population aged 14 and over had a job (6th highest of 27).
Source: Instituto Brasileiro de Geografia e Estatistica (IBGE) · saved copyHow many workers in Sao Paulo are informal?
30.1% of employed people in Sao Paulo worked informally in April to June 2026 (about 7,401,000 people), against 37.4% nationally; 5th lowest of 27. A year earlier the rate was 29.2%.
Source: Instituto Brasileiro de Geografia e Estatistica (IBGE) · saved copyWhat is the average salary in Sao Paulo?
Employed people in Sao Paulo usually earned an average of R$4,336 a month from their main job in April to June 2026 (Brazil R$3,621); 2nd highest of 27. Adjusted for inflation that is up 1.8% on a year earlier and up 4.7% on April to June 2019.
Source: Instituto Brasileiro de Geografia e Estatistica (IBGE) · saved copyWhat is the average household income in Sao Paulo?
Average household income per person in Sao Paulo was R$2,862 a month in 2025, against R$2,264 for Brazil; 2nd highest of 27.
Source: Instituto Brasileiro de Geografia e Estatistica (IBGE) · saved copyHow big is the gap between rich and poor in Sao Paulo?
In 2025 the richest 10% of people in Sao Paulo had an average household income of R$11,134 per person a month and the poorest 10% R$407, a ratio of 27.4 to 1 (14th widest gap of 27).
Source: Instituto Brasileiro de Geografia e Estatistica (IBGE) · saved copyHow unequal is income in Sao Paulo?
The Gini index of household income per person in Sao Paulo was 0.491 in 2025 (Brazil 0.511), tied for 14th most unequal of 27; in 2019 it was 0.527.
Source: Instituto Brasileiro de Geografia e Estatistica (IBGE) · saved copyWhat is the average income in Sao Paulo?
Average household income per person in Sao Paulo was R$2,582 a month in 2024 and the median was R$1,660; the average is 2nd 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 Sao Paulo?
In 2024 prices, average household income per person in Sao Paulo rose from R$2,461 a month in 2019 to R$2,582 in 2024, 1.0% a year (Brazil: 2.2% a year); for the poorest 40% it grew 3.3% a year.
Source: Instituto Brasileiro de Geografia e Estatistica (IBGE) · saved copyMore figures
- White residents of Sao Paulo had an average household income of R$3,088 per person a month in 2024, against R$1,877 for Black and mixed-race (preto or pardo) residents. Source: Instituto Brasileiro de Geografia e Estatistica (IBGE) · saved copy
How Sao Paulo compares with other states
GDP at current prices, 2023 (2023)
Sao Paulo ranks 1 of 27, highest first.
| Rank | Region | GDP at current prices, 2023 |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Sao Paulo | R$3.44 trillion |
| 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 |
GDP per person, 2023 (2023 GDP / 2022 census population) (2023)
Sao Paulo ranks 2 of 27, highest first.
| Rank | Region | GDP per person, 2023 (2023 GDP / 2022 census population) |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Distrito Federal | R$129,790 |
| 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 |
Real GDP growth, 2023 (2023)
Sao Paulo ranks 25 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)
Sao Paulo ranks 23 of 27, highest first.
| Rank | Region | Real GDP growth, 2010-2023 (cumulative) |
|---|---|---|
| 20 | Parana | 14.3% |
| 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% |
Agriculture and livestock share of gross value added, 2023 (2023)
Sao Paulo ranks 24 of 27, highest first.
| Rank | Region | Agriculture and livestock share of gross value added, 2023 |
|---|---|---|
| 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% |
| 27 | Distrito Federal | 0.5% |
Unemployment rate, Q2 2026 (Q2 2026)
Sao Paulo ranks 15 of 27, highest first.
| Rank | Region | Unemployment rate, Q2 2026 |
|---|---|---|
| 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% |
| 18 | Rio Grande do Sul | 4.2% |
Labour force participation rate (age 14+), Q2 2026 (Q2 2026)
Sao Paulo ranks 4 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)
Sao Paulo ranks 23 of 27, highest first.
| Rank | Region | Informality rate of employed people, Q2 2026 |
|---|---|---|
| 20 | Goias | 36.1% |
| 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% |
Average usual monthly earnings, main job, Q2 2026 (Q2 2026)
Sao Paulo ranks 2 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)
Sao Paulo ranks 2 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$2,378 |
Gini index of household income per person, 2025 (2025)
Sao Paulo ranks 14 of 27, highest first. Gini index: 0 means everyone has the same income, 1 means one person has all of it.
| Rank | Region | Gini index of household income per person, 2025 |
|---|---|---|
| 11 | Roraima | 0.506 |
| 12 | Amapa | 0.496 |
| 13 | Para | 0.492 |
| 14 | Sao Paulo | 0.491 |
| 15 | Maranhao | 0.491 |
| 16 | Amazonas | 0.488 |
| 17 | Espirito Santo | 0.480 |
Average monthly household income per person (R$) (2024)
Sao Paulo ranks 2 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 Sao Paulo: 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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