The economy of Paraíba maintains its growth trajectory and surpasses the Northeast average in 2023

The Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of Paraíba for the year 2023, released by the Brazilian Institute of Geography and Statistics (IBGE), indicates that the state maintained a solid pace of economic expansion, with real growth of 3.0%—a result that exceeded the Northeast average (2.9%) and matched the national performance (3.0%).

Paraíba’s nominal GDP reached R$ 96.96 billion, an increase of R$ 10.9 billion compared to 2022, consolidating the state in sixth place among the nine states of the Northeast and 19th nationwide. This progress reflects a set of structural factors that boosted the three major sectors of the economy—agriculture, industry, and services—in a balanced and consistent manner.

Dynamic economic sectors

The 2023 results highlight a robust and diversified performance across the main productive segments:

• Agriculture (+6.0%) – exceeded the Northeast average (4.6%), reinforcing the sector’s vitality and the impact of policies aimed at encouraging rural production.

• Industry (+3.9%) – posted strong growth, higher than both the national (1.7%) and regional (1.4%) averages, reflecting the strengthening of the state’s industrial base.

• Services (+2.95%) – the largest component of Paraíba’s GDP, also recorded expansion above the national (2.85%) and regional (2.78%) averages.

Between 2010 and 2023, Paraíba recorded cumulative real GDP growth of 26.9%, significantly outperforming the Northeast (16.9%) and Brazil as a whole (15.1%). This outcome confirms the state’s consistent trajectory of economic development over the past decade, even amid challenging national scenarios.

The data reflect a scenario of diversification and productive strengthening, in which the main economic sectors maintain balanced and sustained performance. The 2023 results reaffirm the soundness of Paraíba’s economy and the success of public policies focused on job creation, income generation, and regional development.

Governor João Azevêdo welcomed the GDP figures and highlighted the strengthening of the state economy. “The efficiency of our fiscal and financial management and the legal certainty we provide have increasingly attracted investors to our state, resulting in positive figures such as those released today by IBGE—clear evidence that we are on the right path. The outcome is more jobs created, more opportunities for the people of Paraíba, retail growth, and continued improvements in the population’s quality of life,” he stated.

In summary, Paraíba’s economy closed 2023 with robustness and sectoral balance, confirming the state as one of the dynamic hubs of the Northeast and pointing to a favorable environment for the continuity of investments and sustainable growth strategies.