Vale do Paraíba experienced a negative employment balance with 673 job losses in January 2026, primarily driven by declines in the commerce and service sectors.
In January 2026, Vale do Paraíba recorded a loss of 673 jobs according to data from the Cadastro Geral de Empregados e Desempregados (Caged), indicating that layoffs outnumbered new hires during this period. The commerce and services sectors were the main contributors to this negative balance, with the commerce sector losing 1,746 jobs and the services sector losing 914 positions. This trend highlights the challenges faced by these sectors amid economic pressures.
However, not all sectors experienced declines; both the industry and construction sectors showed positive signs by creating jobs. The industrial sector added 489 jobs, while construction contributed 292 new positions. The agricultural sector, while still negative, experienced fewer job losses with a net loss of just 14 jobs. Overall, while January 2026 showed a decline compared to the previous month, it represented an improvement compared to January 2025, when the region lost a total of 1,893 jobs.
These shifts in employment suggest a complex regional economic landscape, where despite challenges in commerce and services, other sectors are managing to create jobs. This balance may influence future employment policies and regional economic strategies as local governments and businesses seek to bolster job creation and economic stability in the Vale do Paraíba.
