Teresina Ranks Last Among Brazilian Capitals for Median Income
Teresina, the capital of Piauí, has the lowest median income among all Brazilian capitals, according to the 2026 Public Services Quality Survey conducted by Agenda Pública. The city's median monthly income stands at R$ 1,262, significantly below the national average for municipalities, which is R$ 2,010.29. This figure is less than half of the median income observed in cities like Florianópolis and Curitiba, which lead the ranking with R$ 3,000. Even within the Northeast region, Teresina ranks last in this indicator, trailing behind Maceió and Fortaleza, both reporting a median income of R$ 1,300.
The survey assessed public service quality across 47 indicators in eight dimensions: Education, Health, Social Protection, Environment, Infrastructure, Economic Development, Management, and Mobility. Teresina achieved its highest scores in Infrastructure (0.743), Management (0.662), and Education (0.657), all classified as high quality. Health (0.549), Environment (0.512), and Mobility (0.463) were rated as medium quality. The city's lowest performance was in Economic Development (0.241) and Social Protection (0.394), deemed low quality. The survey, based on Law nº 13.460/2017, evaluates public policy outcomes, available structures, and management capacity, not user satisfaction.
This survey highlights significant regional disparities in economic well-being across Brazil's capital cities. Teresina's low median income, coupled with poor performance in economic development and social protection, suggests systemic challenges that may hinder its long-term growth potential. While strengths in infrastructure and education offer a foundation, addressing the underlying causes of low income and inadequate social support will be crucial. Future policy interventions could focus on fostering inclusive economic opportunities and strengthening social safety nets to improve living standards and reduce income inequality. The data implies that national development strategies need to account for these localized economic vulnerabilities to ensure more equitable progress across all regions.
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