Shipbuilding, metallurgical, refineries, gas and petrochemical, pharmaceutical, textile, food processing, and furniture industries are based in the city. Furthermore, major Brazilian entertainment, television, printing, and publishing organizations have operations in the metropolitan region.

The presence of a major seaport resulted in Rio de Janeiro being a vital hub of international import and export activities, along with coastal trade with other areas of Brazil and South America.

Tourism and entertainment are major aspects of Rio's economic life, as the city is a major destination for both Brazilian and foreign visitors alike, with the potential for international tourism continuously evolving. The city is expected to grow significantly in this area, in part as a result of the hosting of major international events such as the soccer world cup in 2014 and the Olympics in 2016, that brought an influx of funds, dozens of new hotels, and potential to an already booming market.