North and Northeast lead racial inclusion in the labor market, but challenges persist in Brazil

The struggle for racial equality in the Brazilian labor market is a historical challenge, which persists even in the face of advances in Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DE&I) policies in organizations. In this context, Gupy's Employability Trends Report for 2025 sheds light on the reality of hiring and professional ascension of black people in Brazil.The data analyzed is based on the data of hiring made by companies that use the Recruitment & Selection platform, considering the period between 2021 and 2024.The figures reveal a worrying reality: the representation of black people in the market without significant growth of black people 1.

The group of brown people, on the other hand, has shown an annual growth of 1%, signaling a small advance, although still far from a proportional representation of the Brazilian population.

In Brazil, where the black population represents 55.7% of individuals of working age, the historical exclusion is reflected in glaring inequalities. According to Dieese data, black workers receive, on average, 32.9% less than their non-black colleagues, even in similar functions and with equivalent levels of qualification. In addition, the unemployment rate among black people is alarming, with them composing 65.1% of the population, according to the Estadao Buscupas Summits.

Regions and their hiring

The study reveals that racial diversity in hiring in Brazil varies significantly according to the region. In the North and Northeast regions, the hiring of brown people is predominant, representing 50% and 46%, respectively. However, the representation of black people in hiring remains low in all regions, ranging from 6% to 15%. Already the participation of indigenous people is even lower, ranging between 2% and 3% throughout the country.

The data show that, while the North and Northeast regions have been highlighted by racial inclusion, other regions still face significant challenges.The North and Northeast are currently the most inclusive regions of the country in terms of hiring brown people, indicating a more diverse scenario in the local labor market.

On the other hand, the South and Southeast regions still need to advance considerably. These areas, which concentrate a large part of the employment opportunities in Brazil, have a lower level of racial inclusion, especially in comparison with the North and Northeast.

Which sectors hire black and brown people the most?

The Services sector stands out for the greater racial diversity compared to other segments, with 36% of brown workers and 14% of blacks.In contrast, Commerce 'a dynamic sector focused on serving the public 'has yet to increase its representativeness.Racial inclusion is essential not only to reflect the demographics of the country, but also so that companies can connect more effectively with a diverse consumer audience.

However, the indigenous presence remains almost non-existent in the formal market, with only 1% of participation in the Industry and Commerce sectors, and no representation in other segments. This is alarming, especially considering that the indigenous population in Brazil exceeds 1.6 million people, according to the 2022 Census. These data highlight the urgency of actions aimed at the inclusion of these communities.

What's coming around?

Although the theme is always more latent with the approach of Black Consciousness Day, it is important to always look and reflect on the progress made and next steps that still need to be taken to achieve true racial equality in the labor market. The struggle for inclusion is not only a matter of social justice, but also an intelligent business strategy that benefits companies and society as a whole.

According to the Gupy Employability Report, there is an expectation of growth in hiring underrepresented groups, especially if companies remain committed to clear inclusion goals. “We are seeing a growing movement of corporations that are adopting technological tools to promote more equitable and inclusive recruitment, which bodes well for the future,” concludes Dias.