A relação entre o poder de compra do salário mínimo com a cesta básica: implicações sociais e econômicas

Abstract

This study aims to analyze the relationship between inflation and the purchasing power of the basic food basket in Brazil from 2013 to 2023, with emphasis on the socioeconomic impacts on low-income populations. The research highlights that persistent price increases directly compromise food security, especially among workers who allocate a significant portion of their income to basic consumption. The study discusses the historical composition of the basic food basket and its link to the minimum wage, and addresses different types of inflation—demand pull, cost-push, inertial, among others—and their effects on food prices. Methodologically, it adopts a quantitative and qualitative approach using secondary data from DIEESE, IBGE, and BACEN, focusing on five Brazilian capitals. Descriptive statistics, Pearson correlation, and simple linear regression are applied to evaluate the influence of the IPCA on food prices, along with a calculation of the ratio between monthly income and basket cost to estimate purchasing capacity. The expected results aim to determine the degree of association between inflation and food cost, revealing how the minimum wage may be insufficient to cover essential living expenses.