National press highlights that GDP projections for Paraíba and the Northeast are pushing Brazil up

Paraíba gained national prominence for being the state that should register the highest growth in the country's Gross Domestic Product (GDP) in 2024, according to projections from Resenha Regional, a monthly report with indicators of Brazilian regions and states made by the investment sector of Banco do Brasil, released this Friday (3). The study indicates that the projection for Paraíba's GDP is 6.6%, a fact highlighted in a publication by Forum magazine, in which it analyzes that the Northeast, especially Paraíba, as well as the projections for the North region drive the GDP and compensate for lower growth in the South and Center-West.

The full publication can be found at https://revistaforum.com.br/economia/2025/1/4/norte-nordeste-puxam-pib-compensam-crescimento-mais-baixo-no-sul-centro-oeste-diz-bb-171992.html).

In the ranking of projections from Banco do Brasil, the state of Paraíba is followed by Rio Grande do Norte (6.1%), Tocantins (6%), Amapá (5.8%), Espírito Santo (5.3%), Amazonas (5.2%) and the Federal District (5.1%). Only Mato Grosso do Sul is expected to record a decrease in its GDP projection, with a reduction of 0.7%, driven by a drop of -13.1% in the agricultural GDP.

In the three sectors analyzed by Banco do Brasil, which served as the basis for the study to project growth in 2024, Paraíba presented rates above the averages for Brazil and the Northeast Region. The Services GDP – which includes commerce and public administration – is the one with the greatest strength among economic activities, with a growth of 6.5%, while the average for Brazil is expected to be 4.5% and that of the Northeast is 4%, according to the study. In the industrial GDP, Paraíba, with an expansion of 6%, will also have a higher average than that of Brazil (3.3%) and that of the Northeast (3.4%)

While the study points to projections of a drop in agricultural GDP for Brazil (-2.5%) and the Northeast (-17%), the Paraíba sector will have a growth rate of 3.2%.

For the Secretary of Planning, Budget and Management, Gilmar Martins, the projection of Paraíba's GDP in 2024 of 6.6% confirms the good performance of the Paraíba economy. "This assessment shows that fiscal management throughout the year was correct, as well as Governor João Azevêdo's determination that the selection of projects and actions to be implemented by the government be based on data and evidence. In this way, strategies are defined to attract the equipment currently being implemented in the Cabo Branco Tourist Hub, investments in infrastructure, public safety, health, education and other areas of government", he highlighted.

Gilmar Martins said that “the set of projects and actions to be announced by the governor to be carried out throughout 2025 and 2026 will continue to improve the business environment and the quality of life of the people of Paraíba and, consequently, economic results with positive impacts on the GDP, with the consolidation of tourism, the decentralization of health, the qualification of the workforce, financing for entrepreneurship, incentives for research and development, and competitive tax policy”.