Structure and dynamics of the labor market in Alagoas: An analysis in the light of territorial inequalities

Abstract

This article aims to analyze the labor market in Alagoas (2012-2020) and its influence on structural poverty, highlighting territorial inequalities as a structuring element of social and economic inequalities in the country. In addition to bibliographic research, the research method is based on the crossing of labor indicators with data on the productive structure, highlighting: sectoral composition of GDP, participation in national GDP, external trade balance, interstate trade balance and state tax incentive policy. In 2021, Alagoas assumed the third worst position among the 27 federative units regarding the percentage of the population in poverty. The rates of informality, unemployment and discouragement have been permanently well above the national average. In addition, 70% of formal jobs offer monthly income of no more than two minimum wages. The inability to generate employment opportunities in decent working conditions for the population as a whole explains, to a large extent, the loss of demographic participation between 2010 and 2022.