## Brazil Can Boost Growth by Bringing More Women into the Labor Force

_IMF News, February 11, 2026_

## Source details

**Canonical URL:** [Brazil Can Boost Growth by Bringing More Women into the Labor Force](https://www.imf.org/en/news/articles/2026/02/11/cf-brazil-can-boost-growth-by-bringing-more-women-into-the-labor-force)

## Other formats

- [Markdown version](/en/news/articles/2026/02/11/cf-brazil-can-boost-growth-by-bringing-more-women-into-the-labor-force/index.md)
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## Bibliographic details
- Authors: Bunyada Laoprapassorn February
- Published: February 11, 2026

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### Overview
- Unemployment rate dropped to 5.2 percent in November 2025—the lowest in a quarter century.
- Men’s participation has returned to its pre-COVID trend; women’s participation has fallen behind significantly.
- Halving the gap in labor force participation rates between men and women from 20 to 10 percentage points by 2033 could raise Brazil’s growth by 0.5 percentage point per year.

### Labor force analysis and data source
- Analysis based on Brazil’s Continuous Household Sample Survey.
- Getting more people into jobs is important given an aging population that is expected to weigh on growth.

### Household responsibilities and Bolsa Família
- A major reason many Brazilian women find it hard to join the labor force is the need to look after household and family responsibilities.
- Bolsa Família provides an average monthly stipend of around US$130 for families that keep children in school and comply with mandatory vaccinations and other health requirements.
- Bolsa Família benefits around 50 million people—or about a quarter of the population—and was expanded significantly in 2023.
- Findings:
  - Bolsa Família does not appear to systemically reduce labor force participation.
  - Transfers are associated with lower participation for women in households with children 6 years old or younger.
  - A full assessment of how Bolsa Família relates to economic wellbeing would need to encompass considerations beyond labor force participation.

### Wage disparities
- After controlling for education, age, race, industry, and position, the average monthly wage for women tends to be about 22 percent lower relative to men.
- This pay disparity may encourage some women, including those receiving Bolsa Família benefits, to stay at home and care for younger children instead of joining the labor market.

### Policy options (from the 2025 Article IV Consultation)
- Expand access to affordable, accessible, and quality childcare and eldercare services, along with adjustments to the design of parental leave policy.
- Adjust the design of Bolsa Família—such as further tapering the exit from the Bolsa Família benefits upon employment to reduce any possible disincentives from paid work.
- Address pay disparities, including through effective implementation of the 2023 landmark Pay Equity Law.
- Together, these measures can foster a more supportive environment for women to join the labor market and enhance Brazil’s economic potential.

*By Bunyada Laoprapassorn — Brazil Can Boost Growth by Bringing More Women into the Labor Force (February 11, 2026).*

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## References

- [https://www.imf.org/en/News/country-focus](https://www.imf.org/en/News/country-focus)
- [STAFF REPORT](https://www.imf.org/en/publications/cr/issues/2025/07/16/brazil-2025-article-iv-consultation-press-release-staff-report-and-statement-by-the-568678)
- [BRAZIL AND THE IMF](https://www.imf.org/en/countries/bra)
- [PRESS CENTER](http://presscenter.imf.org/)
- [IMF Country Focus](https://www.imf.org/en/news/country-focus)
- [https://www.imf.org/en/home](https://www.imf.org/en/home)

_Source: https://www.imf.org/en/news/articles/2026/02/11/cf-brazil-can-boost-growth-by-bringing-more-women-into-the-labor-force_