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Carnival 2025 will generate R$5,7 billion in the city's economy, according to estimates from the City Hall
Published on 27/02/2025 - 16:26 | Updated on 27/02/2025 - 16:30
Carnival Data Report reinforces the economic importance of the festival - Alexandre Macieira/City of Rio Carnival 2025 is expected to boost Rio's economy by R$5,7 billion, according to estimates by Rio's City Hall. This is shown in the fourth edition of the publication “Carnaval de Dados”, a study prepared by the Secretariat of Economic Development, the João Goulart Foundation Institute and Riotur. This number shows how much Rio revelers and national and international tourists who come to the city to enjoy Carnival can spend on accommodation, transportation, food, among other expenses directly or indirectly linked to the party.
– We have Carnival as one of our main soft power tools. The greatest show on Earth, with our samba schools and hundreds of street parties that bring millions of people – locals, Brazilians and foreigners – to the city streets, represent very well what it means to be a Carioca – said Mayor Eduardo Paes.
According to the publication, released on the eve of Carnival, the calculation of the R$5,7 billion figure considers that, for the first time, there will be seven days of samba school parades at the Sambadrome – two nights of the Gold Series, on Friday and Saturday; three nights of the Special Group, on Sunday, Monday and Tuesday; one night of the Mirins samba school parade on Friday; and the Saturday of Champions.
In addition, the samba schools of the Special Group held two technical rehearsals each in 2025, the last of which included a light and sound test, on seven different days. And the samba schools of the Gold Series held their rehearsals on another four days. In total, there were 11 days of technical rehearsals at the Sambadrome for Carnival 2025, with the stands packed.
The month of Carnival also contributes significantly to municipal revenue, with more than R$220 million in ISS coming from services related to the festivities.
– Carnival is one of the main drivers of Rio's economy, which operates especially during the month of the event, but also throughout the year, boosting the city's economic development by generating jobs and income for the people of Rio – stated Rio's Secretary of Economic Development, Osmar Lima.
Carnival Highlights in Data: More than 8 million revelers are expected in the city
The estimated total attendance in the city of Rio is 8 million revelers at the various carnival events – such as the samba school parades at the Sambódromo and Intendente Magalhães, the street blocks, the popular dances, and the traditional festivities at Cinelândia and Avenida Chile, with 6 million in the blocks and 2 million in the other events. The seven days of parades bring 46 samba schools to Sapucaí – 12 from the Special Group, 16 from the Gold Series and 18 from the Junior Schools –, with more than 60 thousand paraders. In the parades at the Sambódromo, in the Special Group, the schools bring, in total, approximately 36 thousand members. In the Gold Series, approximately 27,2 thousand members. In this sense, in total, there are 63,2 thousand members in all the parades at the Sambódromo, from the 12 schools in the Special Group and 16 in the Gold Series.
The 457 blocks previously authorized by Riotur have more than 2,5 hours of performance, 38,1% of which are in the pre-Carnival and 61,9% during Carnival week. There are 9 mega blocks, which concentrate 54% of the total expected audience. The traditional blocks, in greater number (422), concentrate 45% of the revelers in the same period, with 16,0% of the blocks stopped and 84,0% moving.
– Carnival, therefore, is not just a party, but a true engine of development. The presentation of data and results related to the event highlights the responsibility with which the party needs to be treated, as well as the daily care for the city. Carnival is, in essence, a gift for residents, tourists and the development of the city – declared the president of Riotur, Bernardo Fellows.
More than 20 thousand municipal public servants work in the operation during the festive period
The document published by Rio City Hall also states that there will be 23 municipal agencies working on the various events, for the planning and operation of Carnival, through approximately 21 thousand employees. At least 16 thousand pieces of equipment are specifically designated for this role.
In addition to the more than 21 employees of the Rio City Hall, there are also more than 15 street vendors licensed by the Rio City Hall, providing approximately 50 workers during Carnival. The activities of each municipal body are detailed in the PDF Data Carnival.
– As we celebrate the fourth edition of the “Carnival of Data” report, we reaffirm an essential commitment: to understand Carnival not only as an event, but from many perspectives that impact the city of Rio de Janeiro, whether you like Carnival or not. A cultural expression, but also a strategic asset and, note, for the public administration and economic development of the city as well. The João Goulart Foundation Institute is proud to continue improving this study, bringing new perspectives on the relationship between public administration and the greatest show on Earth. May this report continue to be an instrument to improve the decision-making of public managers and an invitation for society to recognize Carnival as a powerful vector for the development of cities – said the president of the João Goulart Foundation Institute, Rafaela Bastos.
The full publication is available at Economic Observatory of Rio and in the Repertoire.
