Overview

• The number of Brazilians working via transport and delivery apps rose 170% from about 770,000 in 2015 to 2.1 million in the second quarter of 2025.
• Using PNAD microdata, the Bank estimates cumulative effects to mid‑2025 of a 0.8 percentage point rise in occupation, a 0.2 point increase in participation, and a 0.6 point drop in unemployment.
• Scenario exercises indicate that, without platforms, the jobless rate would be 0.6 to 1.2 percentage points higher, reaching about 5.5% versus the current 4.3%.
• The analysis suggests most platform workers entered from outside the labor force, and they still account for a relatively small share of employment at 2.1%.
• Independent studies by Fairwork Brasil and Ipea report longer working hours, lower average earnings, and reduced social‑security contributions among app workers.