Microempreendedor individual (MEI) e sua contribuição no mercado de trabalho brasileiro nos anos de 2020 a 2023

Abstract

The Individual Microentrepreneur (MEI) legal structure was of paramount importance in the period from 2020 to 2023. This study aims to analyze the contribution of the MEI to the Brazilian labor market, showing how the formalization of these entrepreneurs occurred, the rights and duties encompassed by them, as well as the advantages and disadvantages of opening an MEI in the country. The research is based on the growth of the MEI as a starting point for the population to have a means of income and consequently develop the potential of their business. A quantitative approach was used, involving the Sebrae and Gov portal with informative data on the growth of the MEI and its contribution to the labor market, based on the theory exemplified by authors such as Araújo and Anjos (2021), Lima and Junior (2023), França, Medeiros and Paiva (2024), among others who supported this study. The results demonstrated that there was growth in micro-entrepreneurship between 2020 and 2022, with a decline in 2023. However, there is a need for more public policies to ensure greater development of these businesses, because despite their contribution to the Brazilian labor market, there is still insecurity regarding this type of business. Thus, the study was very valuable in verifying growth figures and showing that the Individual Micro-entrepreneur represents a significant contribution to the Brazilian market, formalizing the self-employed, and that more incentives focused on this area are indispensable.