The workforce in the logistics sector grew by 12% in Brazil between 2018 and 2023, increasing from 2.63 million to 2.86 million professionals, according to the report "The Workforce in the Logistics Sector in Brazil," prepared by Gi Group Holding in partnership with Lightcast, a data analysis company specializing in the labor market. Growth was driven by investments in increasing logistics capacity in the post-pandemic period, but it still does not address the sector's main bottlenecks: lack of qualification, low diversity, and aging workforce.
In Latin America, the number of job openings in logistics jumped from 3,546 in 2019 to over 2.39 million in 2024 — a 67,000% increase in just five years. However, the study indicates that a large part of the hiring still focuses on traditional operational roles, such as warehouse operators, packers, and drivers, while the demand for more qualified professionals is increasing.
"We have a sector that has grown rapidly in the number of job openings, but its talent pool is still concentrated in operational roles. The challenge now is to ensure that workforce qualification keeps pace with this growth. Otherwise, there will be a structural bottleneck that could hinder the country's logistical potential," says Alexandre Gonçalves Sousa, manager of the logistics division at Gi BPO, a specialized outsourcing unit of Gi Group Holding.
Among warehouse operators and operators, Brazil has more than 1.5 million professionals. Conversely, specialized roles continue to have low representation, despite the significant increase in demand for these positions. The demand for safety engineers increased by 275.6% in 12 months. Skills such as robotic process automation (+175.8%), computerized maintenance management (+65.3%), and customs regulation (+113.4%) are among the most sought after by companies.
"Logistics is becoming increasingly technological and connected. The demand for skills such as process automation, artificial intelligence, and computerized maintenance management indicates that the sector has already entered the Industry 4.0 era, but the workforce still needs to keep up with this transformation," emphasizes the manager.
The so-called soft skills also gain space. Highlights include team motivation (+122.5%), strategic decision-making (+93.4%), and customer focus (+51.4%), indicating the growing appreciation for profiles with leadership, management, and results-oriented vision.
Aged and male workforce
The survey also shows that the logistics sector continues to face historical challenges. One of them is gender inequality. Women account for only 11% of the formal workforce in Brazil, with very limited participation in roles such as supply chain management, logistics, and machine operation.
"Even with targeted advances, female presence remains very low in logistics. We need to go beyond hiring targets and focus on building inclusive environments with real growth opportunities for women at all hierarchical levels," argues Alexandre.
Age is also a critical factor. Professionals aged 25 to 54 represent 74% of the workforce, while young people under 25 account for only 11%. Workers over 65 years old total 111,966 people — a group that is expected to leave the market in the coming years.
The data showing over 111,000 professionals aged over 65 still active in Brazilian logistics reveals how much the sector depends on a generation that is about to leave the market. Attracting young people and promoting succession will be vital to ensure stability in the medium and long term, it warns.
Planning and qualification are essential for the future
For Gi Group Holding, the logistics sector will only be able to sustain its growth through investments in training, diversity, and workforce planning. The company operates with integrated solutions in recruitment, BPO, RPO, training, consulting, and sustainable employability in various sectors of the economy, such as industry, consumer goods, technology, retail, and services.
"Companies that invest now in qualification strategies, continuous training, and efficient talent management will be better prepared to face the increasing complexity of supply chains. The workforce needs to evolve alongside the sector," concludes the manager of Gi BPO.
