The proportion of domestic workers in Brazil's total workforce hit the lowest level since 2012, at 5.4% in October 2025. This decline reflects improved opportunities for women and broader economic slowdown. The figures suggest potential effects on inflation and the central bank's interest rates.
In October 2025, domestic workers made up just 5.4% of Brazil's total employed population, the lowest since March 2012, when they were 6.8%. Prior to the Covid-19 pandemic, the proportion never dropped below 6.3%. With around 5.5 million in this category, the number fell by 360,000 annually, nearly all informal, totaling 5.5 million now.
Data from the National Household Sample Survey (PNAD) by IBGE reveals that 92% of domestic workers are women, 69% black, 54.2% aged 45 or older, and 55.4% female heads of household. Most, 74%, perform general services, while 21% care for children. Only 25% have Consolidation of Labor Laws (CLT) contracts, down from 32% in the early 2010s. The average monthly salary is R$ 1,343, below the national minimum and 44% of the private non-domestic sector average of R$ 3,045. Additionally, 32% work in multiple homes, signaling more day workers.
This drop happens amid slowing overall employment growth, at 0.91% year-on-year in October, the slowest pace since November 2023 and less than May's 2.49%. The decline is sharpest in domestic services (-5.7%) and other services (-3.7%), with losses also in commerce and lodging. Experts link women's exodus from this oppressive job to better market opportunities. Since April, domestic wages have risen faster than the general average.
The central bank is tracking this employment slowdown, particularly in services, for interest rate decisions. Without people exiting the workforce – likely due to life improvements – unemployment would already have increased.