Nearly 2 Million Platform Workers in Brazil Face Long Hours and Low Social Security Coverage
In 2025, Brazil's nearly 2 million platform workers earn modest incomes with long hours and face very low social security coverage, especially among app motorcyclists and drivers.
- • Nearly 2 million Brazilians worked through apps in 2025, mostly in transport and delivery sectors.
- • Only 19.4% of app motorcyclists and 25.5% of app drivers have social security coverage, far below national averages.
- • Platform workers work longer hours but earn less hourly compared to non-platform workers.
- • High informality prevails with 72.1% of app workers lacking formal employment.
- • Dependence on a single platform exposes workers to risks amid ongoing labor debates.
Key details
In 2025, Brazil had nearly 2 million workers employed through digital platforms, particularly apps, according to the Continuous National Household Sample Survey (PNAD) released by IBGE. Of these, 92.1% depend on app work as their main source of income. Predominantly male (84.4%) and aged between 25 and 39, these workers primarily engage in passenger transport and food delivery services. Despite working longer hours—averaging 44.7 hours per week—their monthly earnings of R$3,147 are comparable to non-platform workers, but their hourly wage is 12% lower due to extended work hours.
A significant share of app workers rely heavily on a single platform, exposing them to potential risks from changes in platform policies. Transport apps dominate this workforce with nearly 75% of the transportation sector being platformized.
Specific data on platform motorcyclists and drivers reveal precarious social security coverage. Brazil has approximately 405,000 app-based motorcyclists, primarily in passenger transport and food delivery, but only 19.4% (79,000) have social security coverage, compared with 62.4% coverage for private sector workers overall. This low rate is concerning given the high risks these workers face, including accidents. Their average monthly income is R$2,221 after expenses, working 44.9 hours weekly. App drivers number about 905,000, with only 25.5% having social security coverage versus 43.8% of all drivers nationwide. They earn R$2,873 monthly with 45.9 hours worked weekly.
Overall, 72.1% of platform workers operate informally without formal employment status. This high informality coupled with dependency on platforms underscores ongoing social protection challenges amid Brazil’s labor market transformations. IBGE analyst Gustavo Geaquinto Fontes highlighted the contrast between the low social security coverage and the risks these workers face.
As the Supreme Federal Court considers the legal implications of "uberization," these findings emphasize the urgent need for policies to enhance social security coverage and labor protections for Brazil’s growing platform workforce.
This article was translated and synthesized from Brazilian sources, providing English-speaking readers with local perspectives.
Source articles (3)
Source comparison
Number of app motorcyclists
Sources report different numbers of app motorcyclists in Brazil
agenciabrasil.ebc.com.br
"Brazil has approximately 405,000 app motorcyclists."
agenciabrasil.ebc.com.br
"about 1.2 million engaged in passenger transport apps like Uber."
Why this matters: One source states there are approximately 405,000 app motorcyclists, while another mentions 1.2 million engaged in passenger transport apps. This discrepancy affects understanding of the scale of app motorcyclists in Brazil.
Average hourly wage for app workers
Sources report different average hourly wages for app workers
agenciabrasil.ebc.com.br
"earning R$ 11.4 per hour."
agenciabrasil.ebc.com.br
"lower hourly wage of R$ 16.2."
Why this matters: One source claims the average hourly wage for app workers is R$ 11.4, while another states it is R$ 16.2. This affects the understanding of earnings among app workers.