Rio, August 20, 2003 (Agência Brasil - ABr) - The unemployment rate in Brazil was 12.8% in July, stable in comparison with June (13.0%), but 0.9% less than in July, 2002, according to information released by the IBGE (Brazilian Institute of Geography and Statistics).

The Monthly Employment Survey indicates that the economically active population increased 5.4% in July, in comparison with July, 2002. On the other hand, the average salary for workers was R$ 833.50, the lowest since October, 2001.

The survey, which covers the six largest metropolitan areas of the country, revealed that the number of unemployed people looking for work in July fell 1.9% in comparison with June. The largest declines occurred in Belo Horizonte (-7.1%) and Porto Alegre (-8.8%). In other areas, the rates were: -4.1% in Recife, -2.8% in Rio de Janeiro, -1.6% in Salvador, and 0.7% in São Paulo. Compared with July, 2002, the unemployed population grew 13.4%. (DAS)