Brazil's Public Sector Supersalaries Cost R$20 Billion Annually, Far Exceeding Other Nations
Brazil incurs unmatched expenses of R$20 billion annually on public sector supersalaries, vastly exceeding other countries and raising urgent reform calls.
- • Brazil spends R$20 billion annually on supersalaries, the highest among compared countries.
- • 53,500 Brazilian public servants earn above the constitutional salary cap of R$46,366.19.
- • The judiciary accounts for the largest share of supersalary costs at R$11.5 billion.
- • Experts call for urgent reform to address budget impact and inequality caused by supersalaries.
Key details
A recent study reveals that Brazil spends a staggering R$20 billion annually on public sector supersalaries—payments exceeding the constitutional salary cap of R$46,366.19—far outpacing all other studied countries. Between August 2024 and July 2025, approximately 53,500 active and retired Brazilian public servants earned above this legal limit. This number comprises about 1.34% of Brazil's total 4 million public servants and retirees, drawn from federal executive bodies, judiciary, state public ministries, and legislative branches.
Brazil's spending on supersalaries dwarfs that of Argentina, the second highest spender, which allocates only around R$381 million for similar excess payments. The comparison extended to ten other countries, including the United States, Mexico, United Kingdom, France, Italy, Colombia, Chile, Portugal, and Germany—the latter reportedly having no such expenditures.
Among those receiving supersalaries, the judiciary is the largest group, encompassing 21,000 individuals and accounting for R$11.5 billion. Public ministries follow with 10,300 members costing R$3.2 billion, while the federal government itself has 12,200 employees over the salary cap, costing R$4.33 billion. Notably, nearly 40,000 public servants earn above R$685,000 annually, positioning them in Brazil’s top 1% income bracket, compared to the median annual income of R$28,000 in the general population.
Experts emphasize the financial and social implications of this situation. Jessika Moreira from Movimento Pessoas à Frente pointed out the negative impact of these billion-dollar expenditures on public budgets and their role in exacerbating salary inequality. The urgent need for administrative reform was highlighted to curtail this practice. Similarly, Ana Pessanha from República.org called for fair remuneration while criticizing societal tolerance for financing a small elite's enrichment at the expense of broader social equity.
This comprehensive study underscores Brazil's unique and substantial financial burden caused by supersalaries, suggesting significant challenges remain to address this pressing fiscal and social governance issue.
This article was synthesized and translated from native language sources to provide English-speaking readers with local perspectives.