Brazil’s footwear sector added 10,220 new jobs in the first four months of 2025, according to data released by the Brazilian Footwear Industry Association (Abicalçados), based on Ministry of Labor and Employment (MTE) surveys. By ILM.

In April alone, the industry recorded a positive balance of 1,060 new jobs. The sector now employs 292,400 people directly across the country, representing a 3.34% increase compared with the same period in 2024.

Haroldo Ferreira, CEO of Abicalçados, said the employment growth reflects a steady increase in production, which is expected to rise by between 1.4% and 2.2% this year, surpassing 940 million pairs of shoes.

Despite remaining the largest employer in the sector, Rio Grande do Sul saw a 4.2% year-on-year decline in employment. The state generated 1,640 jobs in the first four months of the year, ending the period with 82,540 positions.

In contrast, other major footwear-producing states posted job growth. Ceará added 311 jobs to reach 69,400, a 7.1% increase from 2024. Bahia created 1,880 jobs for a total of 42,750, up 4.5%, while São Paulo added 2,700 jobs, reaching 33,100 employed, a 1.8% rise year-on-year.