Nielmar de Oliveira
Reporter - Agência Brasil

Rio - Data from the Brazilian Institute of Geography and Statistics (IBGE) indicate that the employed population in the country's six most important metropolitan areas was 4.1% higher this January, in comparison with January, 2004, for a total of 19.5 million workers. Nevertheless, according to the survey released on Friday (25), the employed population was down 1.4% compared with December, 2004.

According to the IBGE, men occupied 56.6% of the places on the job market, while women held 43.4% of the positions. Of the 19.5 million workers in the six major regions, 63.8% are in the 25-49 age bracket.

The IBGE also found a gradual increase in the percentage of workers with 11 years or more of schooling, rising from 45.9% of the employed population in January, 2003, to 48.0% in January, 2004, to 49.6% in January, 2005.

Translation: David Silberstein