With Bolsa Família, the Northeast and North stand out in trade and services

Under the effect of the expansion of federal government transfer programs, such as Bolsa Família, states in the North and Northeast appear well positioned in the rankings for growth in commerce and services.

In July, according to the Ministry of Development and Social Assistance, 9.59 million families received Bolsa Família in the Northeast and another 2.55 million in the North. The average value of the benefit was R$ 684.17 per family.

Seven states in these regions (PB, TO, AL, AC, MA, AP and PA) appear among the ten with the highest growth in expanded retail sales volume (which includes vehicles and construction materials) in the 12 months through June, according to the IBGE.

And six (TO, PB, RR, AP, AL and MA) are among the ten with the greatest expansion in service provision, also according to IBGE statistics.

Paraíba is one of the highlights. It is the Brazilian state where trade grew the most in 12 months (12.3%), and had the third highest growth in services (13%). With a population estimated by the IBGE at 3.97 million inhabitants, Paraíba has 686.4 thousand families receiving Bolsa Família.

Tocantins, which also appears well positioned in both rankings, had the help of the grain harvest. The state harvested 7.81 million tons of grain in 2022/23, 19% more than in the previous cycle.