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In May 2025, Brazilian construction surpassed the mark of 3 million workers with a formal contract, according to data from the New Caged released on Monday (30/6) by the Ministry of Labor and Employment. The sector registered a total of 3,006,760 formal employees, a figure that represents growth of 0.56% compared to April and consolidates a positive trend in the construction labor market in recent months.
The number of formal workers in the sector is close to the all-time record reached in October 2013, when there were 3,073,915 professionals with a formal contract in Brazilian construction.
In the last 12 months, ending in May, the construction sector saw a 3.40% increase in the number of formal workers, with the creation of 98,734 new jobs in the period. The balance is the result of the sector's consistent progress. In June 2024, the sector had 2,908,026 workers with a formal employment contract.
Despite the good indicators in the annual scenario, the result for May 2025 showed a slowdown in job creation, with 16,678 new vacancies - the lowest number of the year so far. This represents a 47.24% drop compared to April, when 31,612 new jobs were created.
In the year to date, from January to May 2025, the construction industry created 149,233 formal jobs, a reduction of 6.70% compared to the same period in 2024, when 159,957 jobs were created.
For the president of the Brazilian Chamber of the Construction Industry (CBIC), Renato Correia, the data shows the structural strength of the sector, but also raises alarm bells. "The construction sector has fulfilled its role as one of the main generators of employment in the country, with solid growth in the number of formal workers. However, the slowdown recorded in May requires attention, as it may reflect the challenges imposed by the current economic environment, especially the impact of high interest rates on investments in construction and housing," says Correia.
According to CBIC's chief economist, Ieda Vasconcelos, we need to monitor the next results to see if this slowdown could be a one-off or a trend. "Even with the reduction in the pace of hiring in May, the sector continues to have a positive balance in the generation of new jobs in 2025 and shows resilience. However, high interest rates, which are currently the biggest problem faced by entrepreneurs in the sector, may limit further progress in the construction labor market and its improved performance."
Among the construction segments, building construction led the way in terms of job creation in the year to date, with 59,726 new openings, followed by specialized construction services (45,252) and infrastructure works (44,255).
With information: CBIC.
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