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Brazil
Fairy Tales from Brazil, Elsie Spicer Eells, Illustrated by Helen M. Barton
Brazilian Literature , Isaac Goldberg
Brazil (South America)
Introduction
Background
After more than three centuries under Portuguese rule, Brazil gained its independence in 1822, maintaining a monarchical system of government until the abolition of slavery in 1888 and the subsequent proclamation of a republic by the military in 1889. Brazilian coffee exporters politically dominated the country until populist leader Getúlio VARGAS rose to power in 1930. VARGAS governed through various versions of democratic and authoritarian regimes from 1930 to 1945. Democratic rule returned in 1945 -- including a democratically elected VARGAS administration from 1951 to 1954 -- and lasted until 1964, when the military overthrew President João GOULART. The military regime censored journalists and repressed and tortured dissidents in the late 1960s and early 1970s. The dictatorship lasted until 1985, when the military regime peacefully ceded power to civilian rulers, and the Brazilian Congress passed its current constitution in 1988.
By far the largest and most populous country in South America, Brazil continues to pursue industrial and agricultural growth and development of its interior. Having successfully weathered a period of global financial difficulty in the late 20th century, Brazil was soon seen as one of the world's strongest emerging markets and a contributor to global growth under President Luiz Inácio LULA da Silva (2003-2010). The awarding of the 2014 FIFA World Cup and 2016 Summer Olympic Games -- the first ever to be held in South America -- to Brazil was symbolic of the country's rise. However, from about 2013 to 2016, Brazil was plagued by a sagging economy, high unemployment, and high inflation, only emerging from recession in 2017. Congress removed then-President Dilma ROUSSEFF (2011-2016) from office in 2016 for having committed impeachable acts against Brazil's budgetary laws, and her vice president, Michel TEMER, served the remainder of her second term. A money-laundering investigation, Operation Lava Jato, uncovered a vast corruption scheme and prosecutors charged several high-profile Brazilian politicians with crimes. Former President LULA was convicted of accepting bribes and served jail time (2018-19), although his conviction was overturned in 2021. LULA's revival became complete in 2022 when he narrowly defeated incumbent Jair BOLSONARO (2019-2022) in the presidential election. Positioning Brazil as an independent global leader on climate change and promoting sustainable development, LULA took on the 2024 G20 presidency, balancing the fight against deforestation with sustainable energy and other projects designed to alleviate poverty and promote economic growth, such as expanding fossil fuel exploration.
Geography ::Brazil
Geography
Location
Eastern South America, bordering the Atlantic Ocean
Geographic coordinates
10 00 S, 55 00 W
Map references
South America
Area
total : 8,515,770 sq km
land: 8,358,140 sq km
water: 157,630 sq km
note: includes Arquipelago de Fernando de Noronha, Atol das Rocas, Ilha da Trindade, Ilhas Martin Vaz, and Penedos de Sao Pedro e Sao Paulo
comparison ranking: total 6
Area - comparative
slightly smaller than the US
Area comparison map:
Land boundaries
total: 16,145 km
border countries (10): Argentina 1,263 km; Bolivia 3,403 km; Colombia 1,790 km; French Guiana 649 km; Guyana 1,308 km; Paraguay 1,371 km; Peru 2,659 km; Suriname 515 km; Uruguay 1,050 km; Venezuela 2,137 km
Coastline
7,491 km
Maritime claims
territorial sea: 12 nm
contiguous zone: 24 nm
exclusive economic zone: 200 nm
continental shelf: 200 nm or to edge of the continental margin
Climate
mostly tropical, but temperate in south
Terrain
mostly flat to rolling lowlands in north; some plains, hills, mountains, and narrow coastal belt
Elevation
highest point: Pico da Neblina 2,994 m
lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m
mean elevation: 320 m
Natural resources
alumina, bauxite, beryllium, gold, iron ore, manganese, nickel, niobium, phosphates, platinum, tantalum, tin, rare earth elements, uranium, petroleum, hydropower, timber
Land use
agricultural land: 32.9% (2018 est.)
arable land: 8.6% (2018 est.)
permanent crops: 0.8% (2018 est.)
permanent pasture: 23.5% (2018 est.)
forest: 61.9% (2018 est.)
other: 5.2% (2018 est.)
Irrigated land
69,029 sq km (2017)
Major lakes (area sq km)
fresh water lake(s): Lagoa dos Patos - 10,140 sq km
salt water lake(s): Lagoa Mirim (shared with Uruguay) - 2,970 sq km
Major rivers (by length in km)
Amazon river mouth (shared with Peru [s]) - 6,400 km; Río de la Plata/Paraná river source (shared with Paraguay, Argentina, and Uruguay [m]) - 4,880 km; Tocantins - 3,650 km; São Francisco - 3,180 km; Paraguay river source (shared with Argentina and Paraguay [m]) - 2,549 km; Rio Negro river mouth (shared with Colombia [s] and Venezuela) - 2,250 km; Uruguay river source (shared with Argentina and Uruguay [m]) - 1,610 km
note – [s] after country name indicates river source; [m] after country name indicates river mouth
Major watersheds (area sq km)
Atlantic Ocean drainage: Amazon (6,145,186 sq km), Orinoco (953,675 sq km), Paraná (2,582,704 sq km), São Francisco (617,814 sq km), Tocantins (764,213 sq km)
Major aquifers
Amazon Basin, Guarani Aquifer System, Maranhao Basin
Population distribution
the vast majority of people live along, or relatively near, the Atlantic coast in the east; the population core is in the southeast, anchored by the cities of São Paolo, Brasília, and Rio de Janeiro
Natural hazards
recurring droughts in northeast; floods and occasional frost in south
Geography - note
note 1: largest country in South America and in the Southern Hemisphere; shares common boundaries with every South American country except Chile and Ecuador; most of the Pantanal, the world's largest tropical wetland, extends through the west central part of the country; shares Iguaçu Falls (Iguazú Falls), the world's largest waterfalls system, with Argentina
note 2: cassava (manioc) the sixth most important food crop in the world -- after maize, rice, wheat, potatoes, and soybeans -- probably originated in the west-central part of Brazil; pineapples are probably indigenous to the southern Brazil-Paraguay region
note 3: Rocas Atoll, located off the northeast coast of Brazil, is the only atoll in the South Atlantic
People and Society
Population
total: 220,051,512
male: 108,166,491
female: 111,885,021 (2024 est.)
comparison rankings: female 7; male 7; total 7
Nationality
noun: Brazilian(s)
adjective: Brazilian
Ethnic groups
mixed 45.3%, White 43.5%, Black 10.2%, Indigenous 0.6%, Asian 0.4% (2022 est.)
Languages
Portuguese (official and most widely spoken language); less common languages include Spanish (border areas and schools), German, Italian, Japanese, English, and many minor Amerindian languages
major-language sample(s):
O Livro de Fatos Mundiais, a fonte indispensável para informação básica. (Brazilian Portuguese)
The World Factbook, the indispensable source for basic information.
Religions
Roman Catholic 52.8%, Protestant 26.7% (Evangelical 25.5%, other Protestant 1.2%), African-American cultist/Umbanda 1.8%, other 3%, agnostic/atheist 0.6%, none 13.6%, unspecified 1.4% (2023 est.)
Demographic profile
Brazil's rapid fertility decline since the 1960s is the main factor behind the country's slowing population growth rate, aging population, and fast-paced demographic transition. Brasilia has not taken full advantage of its large working-age population to develop its human capital and strengthen its social and economic institutions but is funding a study abroad program to bring advanced skills back to the country. The current favorable age structure will begin to shift around 2025, with the labor force shrinking and the elderly starting to compose an increasing share of the total population. Well-funded public pensions have nearly wiped out poverty among the elderly, and Bolsa Familia and other social programs have lifted tens of millions out of poverty. More than half of Brazil's population is considered middle class, but poverty and income inequality levels remain high; the Northeast, North, and Center-West, women, and black, mixed race, and indigenous populations are disproportionately affected. Disparities in opportunities foster social exclusion and contribute to Brazil's high crime rate, particularly violent crime in cities and favelas (slums).
Brazil has traditionally been a net recipient of immigrants, with its southeast being the prime destination. After the importation of African slaves was outlawed in the mid-19th century, Brazil sought Europeans (Italians, Portuguese, Spaniards, and Germans) and later Asians (Japanese) to work in agriculture, especially coffee cultivation. Recent immigrants come mainly from Argentina, Chile, and Andean countries (many are unskilled illegal migrants) or are returning Brazilian nationals. Since Brazil's economic downturn in the 1980s, emigration to the United States, Europe, and Japan has been rising but is negligible relative to Brazil's total population. The majority of these emigrants are well-educated and middle-class. Fewer Brazilian peasants are emigrating to neighboring countries to take up agricultural work.
Age structure
0-14 years: 19.6% (male 22,025,593/female 21,088,398)
15-64 years: 69.5% (male 75,889,089/female 77,118,722)
65 years and over: 10.9% (2024 est.) (male 10,251,809/female 13,677,901)
2023 population pyramid:
Dependency ratios
total dependency ratio: 43.1
youth dependency ratio: 29.4
elderly dependency ratio: 13.7
potential support ratio: 7.3 (2021 est.)
Median age
total: 35.1 years (2024 est.)
male: 34 years
female: 36.1 years
comparison ranking: total 101
Population growth rate
0.61% (2024 est.)
comparison ranking: 138
Birth rate
13.2 births/1,000 population (2024 est.)
comparison ranking: 131
Death rate
7 deaths/1,000 population (2024 est.)
comparison ranking: 119
Net migration rate
-0.2 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2024 est.)
comparison ranking: 103
Population distribution
the vast majority of people live along, or relatively near, the Atlantic coast in the east; the population core is in the southeast, anchored by the cities of São Paolo, Brasília, and Rio de Janeiro
Urbanization
urban population: 87.8% of total population (2023)
rate of urbanization: 0.87% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.)
total population growth rate v. urban population growth rate, 2000-2030
Major urban areas - population
22.620 million São Paulo, 13.728 million Rio de Janeiro, 6.248 million Belo Horizonte, 4.873 million BRASÍLIA (capital), 4.264 million Recife, 4.212 million Porto Alegre (2023)
Sex ratio
at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female
0-14 years: 1.04 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 0.98 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.75 male(s)/female
total population: 0.97 male(s)/female (2024 est.)
Maternal mortality ratio
72 deaths/100,000 live births (2020 est.)
comparison ranking: 86
Infant mortality rate
total: 12.9 deaths/1,000 live births (2024 est.)
male: 14.6 deaths/1,000 live births
female: 11.1 deaths/1,000 live births
comparison ranking: total 107
Life expectancy at birth
total population: 76.3 years (2024 est.)
male: 72.6 years
female: 80.1 years
comparison ranking: total population 113
Total fertility rate
1.74 children born/woman (2024 est.)
comparison ranking: 151
Gross reproduction rate
0.85 (2024 est.)
Contraceptive prevalence rate
80.5% (2019)
Drinking water source
improved: urban: 99.8% of population
rural: 96.9% of population
total: 99.4% of population
unimproved: urban: 0.2% of population
rural: 3.1% of population
total: 0.6% of population (2020 est.)
Current health expenditure
10.3% of GDP (2020)
Physician density
2.31 physicians/1,000 population (2019)
Hospital bed density
2.1 beds/1,000 population (2017)
Sanitation facility access
improved: urban: 94.1% of population
rural: 63.6% of population
total: 90.2% of population
unimproved: urban: 5.9% of population
rural: 36.4% of population
total: 9.8% of population (2020 est.)
Obesity - adult prevalence rate
22.1% (2016)
comparison ranking: 81
Alcohol consumption per capita
total: 6.12 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)
beer: 3.84 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)
wine: 0.24 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)
spirits: 2 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)
other alcohols: 0.04 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)
comparison ranking: total 68
Tobacco use
total: 12.8% (2020 est.)
male: 16.2% (2020 est.)
female: 9.4% (2020 est.)
comparison ranking: total 119
Children under the age of 5 years underweight
NA
Currently married women (ages 15-49)
55.9% (2023 est.)
Education expenditures
6% of GDP (2019 est.)
comparison ranking: 41
Literacy
definition: age 15 and over can read and write
total population: 94.7%
male: 94.4%
female: 94.9% (2022)
School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education)
total: 16 years
male: 15 years
female: 16 years (2020)
Environment
Environment - current issues
deforestation in Amazon Basin destroys the habitat and endangers a multitude of plant and animal species indigenous to the area; illegal wildlife trade; illegal poaching; air and water pollution in Rio de Janeiro, Sao Paulo, and several other large cities; land degradation and water pollution caused by improper mining activities; wetland degradation; severe oil spills
Environment - international agreements
party to: Antarctic-Environmental Protection, Antarctic-Marine Living Resources, Antarctic Seals, Antarctic Treaty, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Climate Change-Paris Agreement, Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping-London Convention, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 2006, Wetlands, Whaling
signed, but not ratified: Marine Dumping-London Protocol
Climate
mostly tropical, but temperate in south
Land use
agricultural land: 32.9% (2018 est.)
arable land: 8.6% (2018 est.)
permanent crops: 0.8% (2018 est.)
permanent pasture: 23.5% (2018 est.)
forest: 61.9% (2018 est.)
other: 5.2% (2018 est.)
Urbanization
urban population: 87.8% of total population (2023)
rate of urbanization: 0.87% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.)
total population growth rate v. urban population growth rate, 2000-2030
Revenue from forest resources
0.62% of GDP (2018 est.)
comparison ranking: 61
Revenue from coal
0.01% of GDP (2018 est.)
comparison ranking: 51
Air pollutants
particulate matter emissions: 10.94 micrograms per cubic meter (2019 est.)
carbon dioxide emissions: 462.3 megatons (2016 est.)
methane emissions: 401.83 megatons (2020 est.)
Waste and recycling
municipal solid waste generated annually: 79,889,010 tons (2015 est.)
municipal solid waste recycled annually: 1,118,446 tons (2014 est.)
percent of municipal solid waste recycled: 1.4% (2014 est.)
Major lakes (area sq km)
fresh water lake(s): Lagoa dos Patos - 10,140 sq km
salt water lake(s): Lagoa Mirim (shared with Uruguay) - 2,970 sq km
Major rivers (by length in km)
Amazon river mouth (shared with Peru [s]) - 6,400 km; Río de la Plata/Paraná river source (shared with Paraguay, Argentina, and Uruguay [m]) - 4,880 km; Tocantins - 3,650 km; São Francisco - 3,180 km; Paraguay river source (shared with Argentina and Paraguay [m]) - 2,549 km; Rio Negro river mouth (shared with Colombia [s] and Venezuela) - 2,250 km; Uruguay river source (shared with Argentina and Uruguay [m]) - 1,610 km
note – [s] after country name indicates river source; [m] after country name indicates river mouth
Major watersheds (area sq km)
Atlantic Ocean drainage: Amazon (6,145,186 sq km), Orinoco (953,675 sq km), Paraná (2,582,704 sq km), São Francisco (617,814 sq km), Tocantins (764,213 sq km)
Major aquifers
Amazon Basin, Guarani Aquifer System, Maranhao Basin
Total water withdrawal
municipal: 16.13 billion cubic meters (2020 est.)
industrial: 9.51 billion cubic meters (2020 est.)
agricultural: 41.42 billion cubic meters (2020 est.)
Total renewable water resources
8.65 trillion cubic meters (2020 est.)
Geoparks
total global geoparks and regional networks: 6
global geoparks and regional networks: Araripe; Cacapava; Quarta Colonia; Serido; Southern Canyons Pathways; Uberaba (2024)
Government
Country name
conventional long form: Federative Republic of Brazil
conventional short form: Brazil
local long form: República Federativa do Brasil
local short form: Brasil
etymology: the country name derives from the brazilwood tree that used to grow plentifully along the coast of Brazil and that was used to produce a deep red dye
Government type
federal presidential republic
Capital
name: Brasília
geographic coordinates: 15 47 S, 47 55 W
time difference: UTC-3 (2 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time)
time zone note: Brazil has four time zones, including one for the Fernando de Noronha Islands
etymology: name bestowed on the new capital of Brazil in 1960; previous Brazilian capitals were Salvador (1549-1763) and Rio de Janeiro (1763 to 1960)
Administrative divisions
26 states (estados, singular - estado) and 1 federal district* (distrito federal); Acre, Alagoas, Amapa, Amazonas, Bahia, Ceara, Distrito Federal*, Espirito Santo, Goias, Maranhao, Mato Grosso, Mato Grosso do Sul, Minas Gerais, Para, Paraiba, Parana, Pernambuco, Piaui, Rio de Janeiro, Rio Grande do Norte, Rio Grande do Sul, Rondonia, Roraima, Santa Catarina, Sao Paulo, Sergipe, Tocantins
Independence
7 September 1822 (from Portugal)
National holiday
Independence Day, 7 September (1822)
Legal system
civil law; note - a new civil law code was enacted in 2002 replacing the 1916 code
Constitution
history: several previous; latest ratified 5 October 1988
amendments: proposed by at least one third of either house of the National Congress, by the president of the republic, or by simple majority vote by more than half of the state legislative assemblies; passage requires at least three-fifths majority vote by both houses in each of two readings; constitutional provisions affecting the federal form of government, separation of powers, suffrage, or individual rights and guarantees cannot be amended; amended many times, last in 2023
International law organization participation
has not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration; accepts ICCt jurisdiction
Citizenship
citizenship by birth: yes
citizenship by descent only: yes
dual citizenship recognized: yes
residency requirement for naturalization: 4 years
Suffrage
voluntary between 16 to 18 years of age, over 70, and if illiterate; compulsory between 18 to 70 years of age; note - military conscripts by law cannot vote
Executive branch
chief of state: President Luiz Inácio LULA da Silva (since 1 January 2023)
head of government: President Luiz Inácio LULA da Silva (since 1 January 2023)
cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the president
elections/appointments: president and vice president directly elected on the same ballot by absolute majority popular vote in 2 rounds if needed for a 4-year term (eligible for a single consecutive term and additional terms after at least one term has elapsed); election last held on 2 October 2022 with runoff on 30 October 2022 (next to be held on 4 October 2026)
election results:
2022: Luiz Inácio LULA da Silva elected president in second round; percent of vote in first round - Luiz Inácio LULA da Silva (PT) 48.4%, Jair BOLSONARO (PSL) 43.2%, Simone Nassar TEBET (MDB) 4.2%, Ciro GOMES (PDT) 3%, other 1.2%; percent of vote in second round - Luiz Inácio LULA da Silva (PT) 50.9%, Jair BOLSONARO (PSL) 49.1%
2018: Jair BOLSONARO elected president in second round; percent of vote in first round - Jair BOLSONARO (PSL) 46%, Fernando HADDAD (PT) 29.3%, Ciro GOMEZ (PDT) 12.5%, Geraldo ALCKMIN (PSDB) 4.8%, other 7.4%; percent of vote in second round - Jair BOLSONARO (PSL) 55.1%, Fernando HADDAD (PT) 44.9%
note - the president is both chief of state and head of government
Legislative branch
legislature name: National Congress (Congresso nacional)
legislative structure: bicameral
Legislative branch - lower chamber
chamber name: Chamber of Deputies (Cámara dos Deputados)
number of seats: 513 (all directly elected)
electoral system: proportional representation
scope of elections: full renewal
term in office: 4 years
most recent election date: 10/2/2022
parties elected and seats per party: Liberal Party (PL) (99); Workers' Party (PT) (69); Brazil Union (União) (59); Progressive Party (PP) (47); Brazilian Democratic Movement (MDB) (42); Social Democratic Party (PSD) (42); Republicans (Republicanos) (40); Other (115)
percentage of women in chamber: 17.5%
expected date of next election: October 2026
Legislative branch - upper chamber
chamber name: Federal Senate (Senado Federal)
number of seats: 81 (all directly elected)
electoral system: plurality/majority
scope of elections: partial renewal
term in office: 8 years
most recent election date: 10/2/2022
parties elected and seats per party: Liberal Party (PL) (8); Brazil Union (União) (5); Workers' Party (PT) (4); Progressive Party (PP) (3); Social Democratic Party (PSD) (2); Republicans (Republicanos) (2); Other (3)
percentage of women in chamber: 17.3%
expected date of next election: October 2026
Judicial branch
highest court(s): Supreme Federal Court or Supremo Tribunal Federal (consists of 11 justices)
judge selection and term of office: justices appointed by the president and approved by absolute majority by the Federal Senate; justices appointed to serve until mandatory retirement at age 75
subordinate courts: Tribunal of the Union, Federal Appeals Court, Superior Court of Justice, Superior Electoral Court, regional federal courts; state court system
Political parties
Act (Agir) (formerly Christian Labor Party or PTC)
Avante (formerly Labor Party of Brazil or PTdoB)
Brazil Union (União Brasil); note - founded from a merger between the Democrats (DEM) and the Social Liberal Party (PSL)
Brazilian Communist Party or PCB
Brazilian Democratic Movement or MDB
Brazilian Labor Party or PTB
Brazilian Renewal Labor Party or PRTB
Brazilian Labor Party or PTB
Brazilian Social Democracy Party or PSDB
Brazilian Socialist Party or PSB
Christian Democracy or DC (formerly Christian Social Democratic Party)
Cidadania (formerly Popular Socialist Party or PPS)
Communist Party of Brazil or PCdoB
Democratic Labor Party or PDT
Democratic Party or PSDC
Democrats or DEM (formerly Liberal Front Party or PFL); note - dissolved in February 2022
Green Party or PV
Liberal Party or PL [Valdemar Costa Neto] (formerly Party of the Republic or PR)
National Mobilization Party or PMN
New Party or NOVO
Patriota (formerly National Ecologic Party or PEN)
Podemos (formerly National Labor Party or PTN)
Progressive Party (Progressistas) or PP
Republican Social Order Party or PROS
Republicans (Republicanos) (formerly Brazilian Republican Party or PRB)
Social Christian Party or PSC
Social Democratic Party or PSD
Social Liberal Party or PSL
Socialism and Freedom Party or PSOL
Solidarity or SD
Sustainability Network or REDE
United Socialist Workers' Party or PSTU
Workers' Cause Party or PCO
Workers' Party or PT
International organization participation
AfDB (nonregional member), BIS, BRICS, CAN (associate), CD, CELAC, CPLP, FAO, FATF, G-15, G-20, G-24, G-5, G-77, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC (national committees), ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, ITUC (NGOs), LAES, LAIA, LAS (observer), Mercosur, MIGA, MINURSO, MINUSTAH, MONUSCO, NAM (observer), NSG, OAS, OECD (enhanced engagement), OPANAL, OPCW, Paris Club (associate), PCA, PROSUR, SICA (observer), UN, UNASUR, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNFICYP, UNHCR, UNHRC, UNIDO, UNISFA, UNIFIL, Union Latina, UNISFA, UNITAR, UNMIL, UNMISS, UNOCI, UNOOSA, UNRWA, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WFTU (NGOs), WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO
Diplomatic representation in the US
chief of mission: Ambassador Maria Luiza Ribeiro VIOTTI (since 30 June 2023)
chancery: 3006 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008
telephone: [1] (202) 238-2700
FAX: [1] (202) 238-2827
email address and website:
contact.washington@itamaraty.gov.br
https://www.gov.br/mre/pt-br/embaixada-washington
consulate(s) general: Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, Hartford (CT), Houston, Los Angeles, Miami, New York, Orlando, San Francisco
Diplomatic representation from the US
chief of mission: Ambassador Elizabeth Frawley BAGLEY (since 3 February 2023)
embassy: SES - Avenida das Nações, Quadra 801, Lote 03, 70403-900 - Brasília, DF
mailing address: 7500 Brasilia Place, Washington DC 20521-7500
telephone: [55] (61) 3312-7000
FAX: [55] (61) 3225-9136
email address and website:
BrasilliaACS@state.gov
https://br.usembassy.gov/
consulate(s) general: Recife, Porto Alegre, Rio de Janeiro, São Paulo
branch office(s): Belo Horizonte
Flag description
green with a large yellow diamond in the center bearing a blue celestial globe with 27 white five-pointed stars; the globe has a white equatorial band with the motto ORDEM E PROGRESSO (Order and Progress); the current flag was inspired by the banner of the former Empire of Brazil (1822-1889); on the imperial flag, the green represented the House of Braganza of Pedro I, the first Emperor of Brazil, while the yellow stood for the Habsburg Family of his wife; on the modern flag the green represents the forests of the country and the yellow rhombus its mineral wealth (the diamond shape roughly mirrors that of the country); the blue circle and stars, which replaced the coat of arms of the original flag, depict the sky over Rio de Janeiro on the morning of 15 November 1889 - the day the Republic of Brazil was declared; the number of stars has changed with the creation of new states and has risen from an original 21 to the current 27 (one for each state and the Federal District)
note: one of several flags where a prominent component of the design reflects the shape of the country; other such flags are those of Bosnia and Herzegovina, Eritrea, and Vanuatu
National symbol(s)
Southern Cross constellation; national colors: green, yellow, blue
National anthem
name: "Hino Nacional Brasileiro" (Brazilian National Anthem)
lyrics/music: Joaquim Osorio Duque ESTRADA/Francisco Manoel DA SILVA
note: music adopted 1890, lyrics adopted 1922; the anthem's music, composed in 1822, was used unofficially for many years before it was adopted
National heritage
total World Heritage Sites: 24 (15 cultural, 8 natural, 1 mixed)
selected World Heritage Site locales:
Brasilia (c); Historic Salvador de Bahia (c); Historic Ouro Preto (c); Historic Center of the Town of Olinda (c); Iguaçu National Park (n); Jesuit Missions of the Guaranis (c); Rio de Janeiro: Carioca Landscapes (c); Central Amazon Conservation Complex (n); Atlantic Forest South-East Reserves (n); Historic Center of Salvador de Bahia (c); Sanctuary of Bom Jesus do Congonhas (c ); Brasilia (c ); Serra da Capivara National Park (c ); Historic Center of Sao Luis( c); Discovery Coast Atlantic Forest Reserves (n); Historic Center of the Town of Diamantina (c ); Pantanal Conservation Area (n); Brazilian Atlantic Islands: Fernando de Noronha and Atol das Rocas Reserves (n); Cerrado Protected Areas: Chapada dos Veadeiros and Emas National Parks (n); Historic Centre of the Town of Goiás (c); São Francisco Square in the Town of São Cristóvão (c ); Rio de Janeiro: Carioca Landscapes between the Mountain and the Sea (c ); Pampulha Modern Ensemble (c ); Valongo Wharf Archaeological Site (c ); Paraty and Ilha Grande – Culture and Biodiversity (m); Sítio Roberto Burle Marx (c ); Lençóis Maranhenses National Park (n)
Economy
Economic overview
upper-middle income, largest Latin American economy; Mercosur, BRICS, G20 member and OECD accession candidate; growth driven by strong domestic consumption; tax simplification reforms aimed at addressing business conditions and lagging productivity; high inequality in income and access to health and education
Real GDP (purchasing power parity)
$4.016 trillion (2023 est.)
$3.902 trillion (2022 est.)
$3.788 trillion (2021 est.)
note: data in 2021 dollars
comparison ranking: 7
Real GDP growth rate
2.91% (2023 est.)
3.02% (2022 est.)
4.76% (2021 est.)
note: annual GDP % growth based on constant local currency
comparison ranking: 112
Real GDP per capita
$19,000 (2023 est.)
$18,600 (2022 est.)
$18,100 (2021 est.)
note: data in 2021 dollars
comparison ranking: 104
GDP (official exchange rate)
$2.174 trillion (2023 est.)
note: data in current dollars at official exchange rate
Inflation rate (consumer prices)
4.59% (2023 est.)
9.28% (2022 est.)
8.3% (2021 est.)
note: annual % change based on consumer prices
comparison ranking: 98
Credit ratings
Fitch rating: BB (2023)
Moody's rating: Ba2 (2016)
Standard & Poors rating: BB- (2018)
note: The year refers to the year in which the current credit rating was first obtained.
GDP - composition, by sector of origin
agriculture: 6.2% (2023 est.)
industry: 22.3% (2023 est.)
services: 58.9% (2023 est.)
note: figures may not total 100% due to non-allocated consumption not captured in sector-reported data
comparison rankings: services 97; industry 124; agriculture 104
GDP - composition, by end use
household consumption: 63.3% (2023 est.)
government consumption: 18.2% (2023 est.)
investment in fixed capital: 16.5% (2023 est.)
investment in inventories: -0.5% (2023 est.)
exports of goods and services: 18.1% (2023 est.)
imports of goods and services: -15.7% (2023 est.)
note: figures may not total 100% due to rounding or gaps in data collection
Agricultural products
sugarcane, soybeans, maize, milk, cassava, oranges, chicken, rice, beef, wheat (2022)
note: top ten agricultural products based on tonnage
Industries
textiles, shoes, chemicals, cement, lumber, iron ore, tin, steel, aircraft, motor vehicles and parts, other machinery and equipment
Industrial production growth rate
1.59% (2023 est.)
note: annual % change in industrial value added based on constant local currency
comparison ranking: 117
Labor force
106.132 million (2023 est.)
note: number of people ages 15 or older who are employed or seeking work
comparison ranking: 5
Unemployment rate
7.95% (2023 est.)
9.23% (2022 est.)
13.16% (2021 est.)
note: % of labor force seeking employment
comparison ranking: 145
Youth unemployment rate (ages 15-24)
total: 17.9% (2023 est.)
male: 15.6% (2023 est.)
female: 20.9% (2023 est.)
note: % of labor force ages 15-24 seeking employment
comparison ranking: total 78
Population below poverty line
4.2% (2016 est.)
note: approximately 4% of the population are below the "extreme" poverty line
Gini Index coefficient - distribution of family income
52 (2022 est.)
note: index (0-100) of income distribution; higher values represent greater inequality
comparison ranking: 7
Average household expenditures
on food: 16.2% of household expenditures (2022 est.)
on alcohol and tobacco: 1.7% of household expenditures (2022 est.)
Household income or consumption by percentage share
lowest 10%: 1.2% (2022 est.)
highest 10%: 41% (2022 est.)
note: % share of income accruing to lowest and highest 10% of population
Remittances
0.2% of GDP (2023 est.)
0.25% of GDP (2022 est.)
0.25% of GDP (2021 est.)
note: personal transfers and compensation between resident and non-resident individuals/households/entities
Budget
revenues: $578.267 billion (2022 est.)
expenditures: $666.279 billion (2022 est.)
note: central government revenues (excluding grants) and expenses converted to US dollars at average official exchange rate for year indicated
Public debt
83.7% of GDP (2023 est.)
note: central government debt as a % of GDP
comparison ranking: 34
Taxes and other revenues
14.15% (of GDP) (2023 est.)
note: central government tax revenue as a % of GDP
comparison ranking: 147
Current account balance
-$21.745 billion (2023 est.)
-$40.884 billion (2022 est.)
-$40.409 billion (2021 est.)
note: balance of payments - net trade and primary/secondary income in current dollars
comparison ranking: 201
Exports
$389.215 billion (2023 est.)
$380.492 billion (2022 est.)
$315.446 billion (2021 est.)
note: balance of payments - exports of goods and services in current dollars
comparison ranking: 22
Exports - partners
China 26%, US 11%, Argentina 5%, Netherlands 3%, Spain 3% (2022)
note: top five export partners based on percentage share of exports
Exports - commodities
soybeans, crude petroleum, iron ore, refined petroleum, corn (2022)
note: top five export commodities based on value in dollars
Imports
$337.04 billion (2023 est.)
$368.588 billion (2022 est.)
$300.091 billion (2021 est.)
note: balance of payments - imports of goods and services in current dollars
comparison ranking: 24
Imports - partners
China 24%, US 18%, Germany 5%, Argentina 5%, India 4% (2022)
note: top five import partners based on percentage share of imports
Imports - commodities
refined petroleum, fertilizers, vehicle parts/accessories, crude petroleum, pesticides (2022)
note: top five import commodities based on value in dollars
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold
$355.021 billion (2023 est.)
$324.673 billion (2022 est.)
$362.21 billion (2021 est.)
note: holdings of gold (year-end prices)/foreign exchange/special drawing rights in current dollars
comparison ranking: 11
Debt - external
$204.737 billion (2023 est.)
note: present value of external debt in current US dollars
comparison ranking: 5
Exchange rates
reals (BRL) per US dollar -
Exchange rates:
4.994 (2023 est.)
5.164 (2022 est.)
5.394 (2021 est.)
5.155 (2020 est.)
3.944 (2019 est.)
Energy
Electricity access
electrification - total population: 100% (2022 est.)
electrification - urban areas: 100%
electrification - rural areas: 97.3%
Electricity
installed generating capacity: 220.319 million kW (2022 est.)
consumption: 583.184 billion kWh (2022 est.)
exports: 4.979 billion kWh (2022 est.)
imports: 17.887 billion kWh (2022 est.)
transmission/distribution losses: 103.995 billion kWh (2022 est.)
comparison rankings: transmission/distribution losses 208; imports 12; exports 38; consumption 7; installed generating capacity 7
Electricity generation sources
fossil fuels: 9.9% of total installed capacity (2022 est.)
nuclear: 2.2% of total installed capacity (2022 est.)
solar: 4% of total installed capacity (2022 est.)
wind: 12.1% of total installed capacity (2022 est.)
hydroelectricity: 63.3% of total installed capacity (2022 est.)
biomass and waste: 8.4% of total installed capacity (2022 est.)
Nuclear energy
Number of operational nuclear reactors: 2 (2023)
Number of nuclear reactors under construction: 1 (2023)
Net capacity of operational nuclear reactors: 1.88GW (2023 est.)
Percent of total electricity production: 2.2% (2023 est.)
Coal
production: 15.644 million metric tons (2022 est.)
consumption: 32.787 million metric tons (2022 est.)
exports: 7,000 metric tons (2022 est.)
imports: 20.389 million metric tons (2022 est.)
proven reserves: 6.596 billion metric tons (2022 est.)
Petroleum
total petroleum production: 4.221 million bbl/day (2023 est.)
refined petroleum consumption: 3.027 million bbl/day (2022 est.)
crude oil estimated reserves: 12.715 billion barrels (2021 est.)
Natural gas
production: 22.67 billion cubic meters (2022 est.)
consumption: 31.654 billion cubic meters (2022 est.)
exports: 75.122 million cubic meters (2021 est.)
imports: 8.812 billion cubic meters (2022 est.)
proven reserves: 363.985 billion cubic meters (2021 est.)
Carbon dioxide emissions
516.752 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2022 est.)
from coal and metallurgical coke: 54.455 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2022 est.)
from petroleum and other liquids: 404.548 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2022 est.)
from consumed natural gas: 57.749 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2022 est.)
comparison ranking: total emissions 12
Energy consumption per capita
50.037 million Btu/person (2022 est.)
comparison ranking: 94
Communications
Telephones - fixed lines
total subscriptions: 27.258 million (2022 est.)
subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 13 (2022 est.)
comparison ranking: total subscriptions 9
Telephones - mobile cellular
total subscriptions: 212.926 million (2022 est.)
subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 99 (2022 est.)
comparison ranking: total subscriptions 7
Telecommunication systems
general assessment: Brazil is one of the largest mobile and broadband markets in Latin America with healthy competition and pricing; 5G services was provided to all capital cities in July 2022, as well as about 35,500km of the national highway network; the country also has one of the largest fixed line broadband markets in Latin America, though broadband subscriptions is only slightly above the regional average, trailing behind Chile, Argentina, and Uruguay; amendments to the licensing regime adopted in October 2019 also require that ISPs which have switched to authorizations invest money saved from lighter regulations in the expansion of broadband services; the fixed line broadband market has seen rapid growth for a number of years, with a growing focus on fiber broadband; in 2019 the number of fiber accesses overtook DSL connections; the country is a key landing point for a number of important submarine cables connecting to the US, Central and South America, the Caribbean, Europe, and Africa; several new cable systems are due to come into service through to 2022, which will increase bandwidth and push down broadband prices for end-users; investments have also been made into terrestrial fiber cables between Brazil, Argentina, and Chile (2022)
domestic: fixed-line connections stand at roughly 13 per 100 persons; mobile-cellular teledensity roughly 102 per 100 persons (2021)
international: country code - 55; landing points for a number of submarine cables, including Malbec, ARBR, Tamnat, SAC, SAm-1, Atlantis -2, Seabras-1, Monet, EllaLink, BRUSA, GlobeNet, AMX-1, Brazilian Festoon, Bicentenario, Unisur, Junior, Americas -II, SAE x1, SAIL, SACS and SABR that provide direct connectivity to South and Central America, the Caribbean, the US, Africa, and Europe; satellite earth stations - 3 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean), 1 Inmarsat (Atlantic Ocean region east), connected by microwave relay system to Mercosur Brazilsat B3 satellite earth station; satellites is a major communication platform, as it is almost impossible to lay fiber optic cable in the thick vegetation (2019)
Broadcast media
state-run Radiobras operates a radio and a TV network; more than 1,000 radio stations and more than 100 TV channels operating - mostly privately owned; private media ownership highly concentrated (2022)
Internet country code
.br
Internet users
total: 170.1 million (2021 est.)
percent of population: 81% (2021 est.)
comparison ranking: total 4
Broadband - fixed subscriptions
total: 36,344,670 (2020 est.)
subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 17 (2020 est.)
comparison ranking: total 4
Transportation
National air transport system
number of registered air carriers: 9 (2020)
inventory of registered aircraft operated by air carriers: 443
annual passenger traffic on registered air carriers: 102,109,977 (2018)
annual freight traffic on registered air carriers: 1,845,650,000 (2018) mt-km
Civil aircraft registration country code prefix
PP
Airports
4,919 (2024)
comparison ranking: 2
Heliports
1,768 (2024)
Pipelines
5,959 km refined petroleum product (1,165 km distribution, 4,794 km transport), 11,696 km natural gas (2,274 km distribution, 9,422 km transport), 1,985 km crude oil (distribution), 77 km ethanol/petrochemical (37 km distribution, 40 km transport) (2016)
Railways
total: 29,849.9 km (2014)
standard gauge: 194 km (2014) 1.435-m gauge
narrow gauge: 23,341.6 km (2014) 1.000-m gauge (24 km electrified)
broad gauge: 5,822.3 km (2014) 1.600-m gauge (498.3 km electrified)
dual gauge: 492 km (2014) 1.600-1.000-m gauge
comparison ranking: total 9
Roadways
total: 2 million km
paved: 246,000 km
unpaved: 1.754 million km (2018)
comparison ranking: total 4
Waterways
50,000 km (2012) (most in areas remote from industry and population)
comparison ranking: 2
Merchant marine
total: 888 (2023)
by type: bulk carrier 13, container ship 20, general cargo 38, oil tanker 27, other 790
comparison ranking: total 26
Ports
total ports: 45 (2024)
large: 4
medium: 7
small: 19
very small: 15
ports with oil terminals: 31
key ports: Belem, DTSE/Gegua Oil Terminal, Itajai, Port de Salvador, Porto Alegre, Recife, Rio de Janeiro, Rio Grande, Santos, Tubarao, Vitoria
Military and Security
Military and security forces
Brazilian Armed Forces (Forças Armadas Brasileiras): Brazilian Army (Exercito Brasileiro, EB), Brazilian Navy (Marinha do Brasil, MB, includes Naval Aviation (Aviacao Naval Brasileira) and Marine Corps (Corpo de Fuzileiros Navais)), Brazilian Air Force (Forca Aerea Brasileira, FAB) (2024)
note: the three national police forces – the Federal Police, Federal Highway Police, and Federal Railway Police – have domestic security responsibilities and report to the Ministry of Justice and Public Security (Ministry of Justice); there are two distinct units within the state police forces: the civil police, which performs an investigative role, and the military police, charged with maintaining law and order in the states and the Federal District; despite the name, military police forces report to the Ministry of Justice, not the Ministry of Defense; the armed forces also have some domestic security responsibilities and report to the Ministry of Defense
Military expenditures
1.1% of GDP (2023 est.)
1.2% of GDP (2022 est.)
1.3% of GDP (2021 est.)
1.4% of GDP (2020 est.)
1.4% of GDP (2019 est.)
comparison ranking: 119
Military and security service personnel strengths
approximately 360,000 active military personnel (220,000 Army; 70,000 Navy; 70,000 Air Force); approximately 400,000 paramilitary security forces (2024)
Military equipment inventories and acquisitions
the Brazilian military's inventory consists of a mix of domestically produced and imported weapons, largely from Europe and the US; Brazil's defense industry designs and manufactures equipment for all three military services and for export; it also jointly produces equipment with other countries (2024)
Military service age and obligation
18-45 years of age for compulsory military service for men (women exempted); only 5-10% of those inducted are required to serve; conscript service obligation is 10-12 months; 17-45 (18 for women) years of age for voluntary service (2024)
note: in 2024, women were reported to comprise approximately 10% of the Brazilian military
Military - note
the Brazilian Armed Forces (BAF) are the second largest military in the Western Hemisphere behind the US; they are responsible for external security and protecting the country's sovereignty but also have a considerable internal security role; the BAF’s missions include patrolling and protecting the country’s long borders and coastline and extensive territorial waters and river network, assisting with internal security, providing domestic disaster response and humanitarian assistance, and participating in multinational peacekeeping missions
in the past decade, the BAF has mobilized thousands of troops to conduct counternarcotics operations, support the police in combating crime, assist with disease outbreaks and humanitarian missions, and provide security for major events such as the 2014 World Cup and the 2016 Summer Olympics; it has also cooperated regularly with neighboring countries such as Argentina and Paraguay on border security to combat smuggling and trafficking
Brazil has Major Non-NATO Ally (MNNA) status with the US, a designation under US law that provides foreign partners with certain benefits in the areas of defense trade and security cooperation
the origins of Brazil's military stretch back to the 1640s; Brazil provided a 25,000-man expeditionary force with air and ground units to fight with the Allies in the Mediterranean Theater during World War II; the Navy participated in the Battle of the Atlantic (2024)
Space
Space agency/agencies
Brazilian Space Agency (Agência Espacial Brasileira, AEB; established in 1994 when Brazil’s space program was transferred from the military to civilian control); National Institute for Space Research (established, 1971; part of the Brazilian Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovations); Space Operations Command (Armed Forces); Department of Aerospace Science and Technology (DCTA; established in 1953 as a military space research program under the Brazilian Air Force) (2024)
Space launch site(s)
Alcantara Launch Site (Maranhão state); Barreira do Inferno Launch Center (Rio Grande do Norte state) (2024)
Space program overview
has an active program with a long history; develops, builds, operates, and tracks satellites, including communications, remote sensing (RS), multi-mission, navigational, and scientific/testing/research; satellites are launched by foreign partners, but Brazil has a long-standing sounding (research) rocket and space launch vehicle (SLV) program and rocket launch facilities; cooperates with a variety of foreign space agencies and commercial entities, including those of Argentina, Canada, the European Space Agency and individual member states (particularly France and Germany), India, Japan, Russia, South Africa, South Korea, Ukraine, and the US; has a state-controlled communications company that operates Brazil’s communications satellites and a growing commercial space sector with expertise in satellite technology (2024)
note: further details about the key activities, programs, and milestones of the country’s space program, as well as government spending estimates on the space sector, appear in the Space Programs reference guide
Terrorism
Terrorist group(s)
Terrorist group(s): Hizballah
note: details about the history, aims, leadership, organization, areas of operation, tactics, targets, weapons, size, and sources of support of the group(s) appear(s) in the Terrorism reference guide
Transnational Issues
Refugees and internally displaced persons
refugees (country of origin): 510,499 (Venezuela) (economic and political crisis; includes Venezuelans who have claimed asylum, are recognized as refugees, or received alternative legal stay) (2023)
IDPs: 5,600 (2022)
stateless persons: 12 (2022)
Illicit drugs
a significant drug transit and destination country for cocaine bound for Europe and other destinations including the United States; domestic drug use and addiction is a significant problem and it is second only to the United States in cocaine consumption; a major source of precursor or essential chemicals used in the production of illicit narcotics
