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Employment Rate Among the Elderly Reaches Record High in Brazil in 2024, IBGE Says

The New Reality of the Elderly Population in Brazil: Work and Challenges

Recently, Brazil has observed an interesting and, in a way, encouraging phenomenon: the employment rate of the elderly population reached its highest level since statistics began to be recorded in 2012. Data from the IBGE (Brazilian Institute of Geography and Statistics) revealed that, in 2024, about 24.4% of people aged 60 or over were actively in the labor market. This means that 1 in every 4 elderly people in the country was employed, a figure that deserves attention and reflection.

What lies behind this increase?

Several factors contribute to this trend. One of the main ones is the rise in life expectancy, which has grown significantly in recent years. Changes in family arrangements also play an important role; many families now depend on the additional income that older members can provide. In addition, informality in the labor market and the pension reform of the Social Security system, which took place in 2019, have directly affected the permanence of older people in work.

Unemployment and underutilization rates

The data show that the unemployment rate among the elderly fell to 2.9% in 2024, representing an improvement compared to previous years. The underutilization rate, which measures the number of people who, even though available to work, are not employed, also decreased, falling to 13.2%. This rate is considerably lower than the country's overall average of 16.2%.

Growth of the elderly population

Another aspect that draws attention is the growth in the number of elderly people in Brazil. Between 2012 and 2024, the elderly population increased by 53.3%, rising from 22.2 million to 34.1 million. These figures indicate that, in 2024, the elderly accounted for about 19.7% of the Brazilian population, a significant change from 2012, when this percentage was only 14.4%.

Men and women in the labor market

Analyzing the distribution by gender, the 2024 data show that 34.2% of the elderly are men, while 16.7% are women, a difference of 17.4 percentage points. Notably, almost half of men aged 60 to 69 were employed (about 48%), while only 26.2% of women in that age group were working. This scenario shows that, although the employment rate of women has grown since 2019, a significant inequality still exists.

The informal work landscape

In terms of formalization, elderly people in Brazil face challenges. Approximately 55.7% of elderly workers are in the informal market, which is a high figure. Elderly Black and mixed-race people, in particular, have faced difficulties, with only 38.8% working in formal occupations. This shows that, despite the increase in employment, many still deal with economic insecurity.

Income and inequality

The average income of the elderly, according to 2024 data, also reveals disparities. While the usual average income of people over 60 was R$ 3,561, young people aged 14 or over earned on average R$ 3,108. It is interesting to note that elderly women received about R$ 2,718, a difference of 33.2% compared to men, who earned R$ 4,071. Among Black or mixed-race people, the average income was even lower, about R$ 2,403, which highlights the inequality present in the labor market.

Future prospects

As Brazil's elderly population continues to grow, it is essential that public policies adapt to meet the needs of this group. Inclusion in the labor market must go hand in hand with decent and fair conditions, aiming to reduce wage disparities and improve quality of life. The future of the elderly population in Brazil depends on a collective commitment to ensuring that everyone has equal opportunities and rights.

Have you ever stopped to think about the impact this demographic change may have on society? What solutions do you believe could be implemented to improve the situation of older people in the labor market? Leave your comment and share your ideas!

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