Micro and small businesses generated almost 750,000 jobs in the first half of the year

Micro and small businesses continue to contribute to the growth of the Brazilian economy. According to a survey by Sebrae, based on the General Registry of Employed and Unemployed Persons (Caged), more than 747,600 people were hired by Microenterprises (ME) and Small Businesses (EPP) in the first half of this year. In June alone, approximately 106,900 new jobs were created in the sector, representing 64% of total hiring.

"Small businesses are a vital force in our economy, thanks to their ability to generate jobs and income for the population, as well as their resilience and determination to overcome the challenges of a market not designed for them. They are the largest generators of new formal jobs, which represents greater opportunity and inclusion," says Décio Lima, president of Sebrae.

Micro and small businesses were also a gateway to inclusion for the country to leave the Hunger Map, Décio Lima, president of Sebrae.

In June, the Services sector registered the largest number of new jobs among SMEs, with 44,700 new registrations, followed by Commerce (28,100) and Construction (16,800). Activities such as temporary labor leasing, hospital care, road freight transportation, and supermarkets were among the sectors that hired the most. In the first half of the year, the Services sector posted a positive balance of 386,100 jobs, followed by Construction (138,600) and Manufacturing (110,700).

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Just as the Caged (Brazilian Labor Market) has been showing impressive hiring figures, the Monthly National Household Sample Survey (PNAD) by the Brazilian Institute of Geography and Statistics (IBGE) revealed that the country reached its lowest unemployment rate in the last 13 years, when the index began to be recorded. The unemployment rate in the quarter between April and June 2025 was 5.8%, a reduction of 1.2 percentage points compared to the previous quarter (7.0%) and 1.1 percentage points compared to the same period in 2024.