The National Index of Civil Construction (SINAPI), released today (10) by the IBGE, increased 1.54% in January 2026, and stood at 1.03 percentage points (p.p.) above the result of December 2025 (0.51%). This resuls tis the highest since June 2022 (1.65%). The cumulative index in 12 months was 6.71%, above the 5.63% in the previous 12 months. The index of January 2025 was 0.51%.

According to the manager of the survey, Augusto Oliveira, the month's result reflects the payroll exemption of companies in the civil construction sector. “This price adjustment is in accordance with the law, with a 10% levy on payroll in 2026,” the researcher explains.

The national cost of construction, increased from R$ 1,891.63 in December to R$ 1,920.74 in January, with R$ 1,081.31 relative to materials and R$ 839,43 to workforce. 

The share of materials changed by 0.27%, remaining at the December level (0.27%), having increased 0.09 p.p. from January last year (0.18%).

Workforce increased 3.22%, and stood 2.39 p.p. above the December figure (0.83%) and 2.25 p.p. more in relation to the previous year (0.97%). 

“In addition to payroll exemption for companies in the construction sector, the increase in workforce stems from the adjustment of the national minimum wage in 2026. This is especially true for construction workers, a professional category that saw an increase due to the adjustment in 11 of the 27 states,” says the research manager.

In 12 months, the share of materials had a cumulative increase of 4.29%, whereas workforce rose 10.03%.

Northeast records biggest change: Piauí accounts for main increase among the states

The Northeast, with rises in all the states, recorded the main regional change in January (1.85%). The remaining Major Regions recorded the following results: 1,67% (Central West), 1.39% (Southeast), 1.35% (South) and 1.33% (North).

Among the states, Piauí had the highest index (4.12%), influenced by the adjustment resulting from the collective agreement and the rise of the cost of materials.

More about SINAPI

The National System of Survey of Costs and Indexes of Civil Construction (Sinapi) was created in 1969 and produces systematized information on the sector, with national coverage, for the preparation and evaluation of budgets and cost monitoring.