# Minas Gerais 2026 economic trends

> Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/minas-gerais-2026-economic-trends
> Updated: 2026-08-02T10:32:00.000Z. Sources: 4. Developments: 2.

In July 2026, Minas Gerais' construction sector showed a slowdown, contributing to a 3.7% decline in the state's gross domestic product for the first quarter of the year. By early August, data for the first half of 2026 highlighted a more nuanced picture: Belo Horizonte emerged as the leading city for formal job creation, adding 13,800 positions, while the city's overall employment index fell 30.6% compared with the same period in 2025. Other municipalities such as Betim, Contagem, Araxá and Montes Claros also reported new jobs, and Caratinga announced a contract to pave rural mountain roads, indicating targeted infrastructure investment amid broader economic challenges.

## Timeline

### 2026-08-02: Belo Horizonte tops Minas Gerais job growth in first half of 2026

Caged data shows Belo Horizonte led Minas Gerais with 13,800 new formal jobs in H1 2026, though its employment index dropped 30.6%; Betim and Contagem followed, while Caratinga plans road paving and Pouso Aleg

4 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/belo-horizonte-tops-minas-gerais-job-growth-in-first-half-of-2026

### 2026-07-10: Minas Gerais construction sector slows, GDP down 3.7% in Q1 2026

Minas Gerais construction output fell 3.7% in Q1 2026, lagging the national 1.3% growth, while local authorities reported school suspensions, prison overcrowding, wage raises, hospital donations and a major ag‑

2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/minas-gerais-construction-sector-slows-gdp-down-37-in-q1-2026

---
Cite as: Minas Gerais 2026 economic trends. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/minas-gerais-2026-economic-trends