Rio, December 29, 2003 (Agência Brasil - ABr) - Nearly half the country's work force (49.6%) is concentrated in rural areas and engaged in activities related to agriculture and self-support, such as handicrafts and domestic tasks.

The level of employment in the countryside exceeds that of urban areas for the 10-19 age bracket. Then it grows again for those who are 45 years old or more. These data are part of a study on Labor and Income released by the Brazilian Institute of Geography and Statistics (IBGE), based on the results of the 2000 Demographic Census. (DAS)