2017 Edition

Background

Following 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 Getulio VARGAS rose to power in 1930. By far the largest and most populous country in South America, Brazil underwent more than a half century of populist and military government until 1985, when the military regime peacefully ceded power to civilian rulers. 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 seen as one of the world’s strongest emerging markets and a contributor to global growth. The awarding of the 2014 FIFA World Cup and 2016 Summer Olympic Games, the first ever to be held in South America, was seen as symbolic of the country’s rise. However, since about 2013, Brazil has been plagued by a shrinking economy, growing unemployment, and rising inflation. Political scandal resulted in the impeachment of President Dilma ROUSSEFF in May 2016, a conviction that was upheld by the Senate in August 2016; her vice president, Michel TEMER, will serve as president until 2018, completing her second term.

Area

8,515,770 sq km 8,358,140 sq km 157,630 sq km includes Arquipelago de Fernando de Noronha, Atol das Rocas, Ilha da Trindade, Ilhas Martin Vaz, and Penedos de Sao Pedro e Sao Paulo

land

8,358,140 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

total

8,515,770 sq km

water

157,630 sq km

Area - comparative

slightly smaller than the US

Climate

mostly tropical, but temperate in south

Coastline

7,491 km

Elevation

320 m lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m highest point: Pico da Neblina 2,994 m

elevation extremes

lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m

highest point

Pico da Neblina 2,994 m

mean elevation

320 m

Environment - current issues

deforestation in Amazon Basin destroys the habitat and endangers a multitude of plant and animal species indigenous to the area; there is a lucrative illegal wildlife trade; 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

Antarctic-Environmental Protocol, Antarctic-Marine Living Resources, Antarctic Seals, Antarctic Treaty, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94, Wetlands, Whaling none of the selected agreements

party to

Antarctic-Environmental Protocol, Antarctic-Marine Living Resources, Antarctic Seals, Antarctic Treaty, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94, Wetlands, Whaling

signed, but not ratified

none of the selected agreements

Geographic coordinates

10 00 S, 55 00 W

Geography - note

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 Iguazu Falls, the world's largest waterfalls system, with Argentina

Irrigated land

54,000 sq km (2012)

Land boundaries

16,145 km 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

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

total

16,145 km

Land use

32.9% arable land 8.6%; permanent crops 0.8%; permanent pasture 23.5% 61.9% 5.2% (2011 est.)

agricultural land

32.9%

forest

61.9%

other

5.2% (2011 est.)

Location

Eastern South America, bordering the Atlantic Ocean

Map references

South America

Maritime claims

12 nm 24 nm 200 nm 200 nm or to edge of the continental margin

contiguous zone

24 nm

continental shelf

200 nm or to edge of the continental margin

exclusive economic zone

200 nm

territorial sea

12 nm

Natural hazards

recurring droughts in northeast; floods and occasional frost in south

Natural resources

bauxite, gold, iron ore, manganese, nickel, phosphates, platinum, tin, rare earth elements, uranium, petroleum, hydropower, timber

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 Sao Paolo, Brasilia, and Rio de Janeiro

Terrain

mostly flat to rolling lowlands in north; some plains, hills, mountains, and narrow coastal belt

Age structure

22.33% (male 23,599,867/female 22,696,756) 16.36% (male 17,212,048/female 16,721,295) 43.86% (male 45,114,076/female 45,836,147) 9.12% (male 8,931,065/female 9,974,723) 8.33% (male 7,356,838/female 9,910,576) (2017 est.)

0-14 years

22.33% (male 23,599,867/female 22,696,756)

15-24 years

16.36% (male 17,212,048/female 16,721,295)

25-54 years

43.86% (male 45,114,076/female 45,836,147)

55-64 years

9.12% (male 8,931,065/female 9,974,723)

65 years and over

8.33% (male 7,356,838/female 9,910,576) (2017 est.)

Birth rate

14.1 births/1,000 population (2017 est.)

Children under the age of 5 years underweight

2.2% (2007)

Contraceptive prevalence rate

80.2% (2013)

Death rate

6.7 deaths/1,000 population (2017 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.

Dependency ratios

43.8 32.4 11.4 8.7 (2015 est.)

elderly dependency ratio

11.4

potential support ratio

8.7 (2015 est.)

total dependency ratio

43.8

youth dependency ratio

32.4

Drinking water source

urban: 100% of population rural: 87% of population total: 98.1% of population urban: 0% of population rural: 13% of population total: 1.9% of population (2015 est.)

rural

13% of population

total

1.9% of population (2015 est.)

urban

0% of population

Education expenditures

6% of GDP (2013)

Ethnic groups

white 47.7%, mulatto (mixed white and black) 43.1%, black 7.6%, Asian 1.1%, indigenous 0.4% (2010 est.)

Health expenditures

8.3% of GDP (2014)

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate

0.6% (2016 est.)

HIV/AIDS - deaths

14,000 (2016 est.)

HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS

830,000 (2016 est.)

Hospital bed density

2.3 beds/1,000 population (2012)

Infant mortality rate

17.5 deaths/1,000 live births 20.5 deaths/1,000 live births 14.2 deaths/1,000 live births (2017 est.)

female

14.2 deaths/1,000 live births (2017 est.)

male

20.5 deaths/1,000 live births

total

17.5 deaths/1,000 live births

Languages

Portuguese (official and most widely spoken language) less common languages include Spanish (border areas and schools), German, Italian, Japanese, English, and a large number of minor Amerindian languages

note

less common languages include Spanish (border areas and schools), German, Italian, Japanese, English, and a large number of minor Amerindian languages

Life expectancy at birth

74 years 70.5 years 77.7 years (2017 est.)

female

77.7 years (2017 est.)

male

70.5 years

total population

74 years

Literacy

age 15 and over can read and write 92.6% 92.2% 92.9% (2015 est.)

definition

age 15 and over can read and write

female

92.9% (2015 est.)

male

92.2%

total population

92.6%

Major infectious diseases

very high bacterial diarrhea and hepatitis A dengue fever and malaria schistosomiasis active local transmission of Zika virus by Aedes species mosquitoes has been identified in this country (as of August 2016); it poses an important risk (a large number of cases possible) among US citizens if bitten by an infective mosquito; other less common ways to get Zika are through sex, via blood transfusion, or during pregnancy, in which the pregnant woman passes Zika virus to her fetus (2016)

degree of risk

very high

food or waterborne diseases

bacterial diarrhea and hepatitis A

note

active local transmission of Zika virus by Aedes species mosquitoes has been identified in this country (as of August 2016); it poses an important risk (a large number of cases possible) among US citizens if bitten by an infective mosquito; other less common ways to get Zika are through sex, via blood transfusion, or during pregnancy, in which the pregnant woman passes Zika virus to her fetus (2016)

vectorborne diseases

dengue fever and malaria

water contact disease

schistosomiasis

Major urban areas - population

Sao Paulo 21.066 million; Rio de Janeiro 12.902 million; Belo Horizonte 5.716 million; BRASILIA (capital) 4.155 million; Fortaleza 3.88 million; Recife 3.739 million (2015)

Maternal mortality rate

44 deaths/100,000 live births (2015 est.)

Median age

32 years 31.1 years 32.8 years (2017 est.)

female

32.8 years (2017 est.)

male

31.1 years

total

32 years

Nationality

Brazilian(s) Brazilian

adjective

Brazilian

noun

Brazilian(s)

Net migration rate

-0.1 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2017 est.)

Obesity - adult prevalence rate

22.1% (2016)

Physicians density

1.85 physicians/1,000 population (2013)

Population

207,353,391 (July 2017 est.)

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 Sao Paolo, Brasilia, and Rio de Janeiro

Population growth rate

0.73% (2017 est.)

Religions

Roman Catholic 64.6%, other Catholic 0.4%, Protestant 22.2% (includes Adventist 6.5%, Assembly of God 2.0%, Christian Congregation of Brazil 1.2%, Universal Kingdom of God 1.0%, other Protestant 11.5%), other Christian 0.7%, Spiritist 2.2%, other 1.4%, none 8%, unspecified 0.4% (2010 est.)

Sanitation facility access

urban: 88% of population rural: 51.5% of population total: 82.8% of population urban: 12% of population rural: 48.5% of population total: 17.2% of population (2015 est.)

rural

48.5% of population

total

17.2% of population (2015 est.)

urban

12% of population

School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education)

15 years 15 years 16 years (2014)

female

16 years (2014)

male

15 years

total

15 years

Sex ratio

1.05 male(s)/female 1.04 male(s)/female 1.03 male(s)/female 0.98 male(s)/female 0.89 male(s)/female 0.74 male(s)/female 0.97 male(s)/female (2016 est.)

0-14 years

1.04 male(s)/female

15-24 years

1.03 male(s)/female

25-54 years

0.98 male(s)/female

55-64 years

0.89 male(s)/female

65 years and over

0.74 male(s)/female

at birth

1.05 male(s)/female

total population

0.97 male(s)/female (2016 est.)

Total fertility rate

1.75 children born/woman (2017 est.)

Unemployment, youth ages 15-24

16.1% 13.8% 21.2% (2014 est.)

female

21.2% (2014 est.)

male

13.8%

total

16.1%

Urbanization

86.2% of total population (2017) 0.99% annual rate of change (2015-20 est.)

rate of urbanization

0.99% annual rate of change (2015-20 est.)

urban population

86.2% of total population (2017)

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

Capital

Brasilia 15 47 S, 47 55 W UTC-3 (2 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time) +1hr, begins third Sunday in October; ends third Sunday in February Brazil has three time zones, including one for the Fernando de Noronha Islands

daylight saving time

+1hr, begins third Sunday in October; ends third Sunday in February

geographic coordinates

15 47 S, 47 55 W

name

Brasilia

note

Brazil has three time zones, including one for the Fernando de Noronha Islands

time difference

UTC-3 (2 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time)

Citizenship

yes yes yes 4 years

citizenship by birth

yes

citizenship by descent

yes

dual citizenship recognized

yes

residency requirement for naturalization

4 years

Constitution

several previous; latest ratified 5 October 1988; amended many times, last in 2016 (2016)

Country name

Federative Republic of Brazil Brazil Republica Federativa do Brasil Brasil 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

conventional long form

Federative Republic of Brazil

conventional short form

Brazil

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

local long form

Republica Federativa do Brasil

local short form

Brasil

Diplomatic representation from the US

Ambassador Michael MCKINNEY (since 1 January 2017) Avenida das Nacoes, Quadra 801, Lote 3, Distrito Federal Cep 70403-900, Brasilia Unit 7500, DPO, AA 34030 [55] (61) 3312-7000 [55] (61) 3225-9136 Recife, Rio de Janeiro, Sao Paulo

chief of mission

Ambassador Michael MCKINNEY (since 1 January 2017)

consulate(s) general

Recife, Rio de Janeiro, Sao Paulo

embassy

Avenida das Nacoes, Quadra 801, Lote 3, Distrito Federal Cep 70403-900, Brasilia

FAX

[55] (61) 3225-9136

mailing address

Unit 7500, DPO, AA 34030

telephone

[55] (61) 3312-7000

Diplomatic representation in the US

Ambassador Sergio Silva do AMARAL (since 16 September 2016) 3006 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008 [1] (202) 238-2700 [1] (202) 238-2827 Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, Hartford (CT), Houston, Los Angeles, Miami, New York, San Francisco, Washington, DC

chancery

3006 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008

chief of mission

Ambassador Sergio Silva do AMARAL (since 16 September 2016)

consulate(s) general

Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, Hartford (CT), Houston, Los Angeles, Miami, New York, San Francisco, Washington, DC

FAX

[1] (202) 238-2827

telephone

[1] (202) 238-2700

Executive branch

President Michel Miguel Elias TEMER Lulia (since 31 August 2016); Vice President (vacant); note - the president is both chief of state and head of government President Michel Miguel Elias TEMER Lulia (since 31 August 2016); Vice President (vacant) Cabinet appointed by the president president and vice president directly elected on the same ballot by absolute majority popular vote in 2 rounds if needed for a single 4-year term (eligible for a second term); election last held on 5 October 2014 with runoff on 26 October 2014 (next to be held in October 2018) Dilma ROUSSEFF reelected president in a runoff election; percent of vote - Dilma ROUSSEFF (PT) 51.6%, Aecio NEVES (PSDB) 48.4% on 12 May 2016, Brazil's Senate voted to hold an impeachment trial of President Dilma ROUSSEFF, who was then suspended from her executive duties; Vice President Michel TEMER then took over as acting president; on 31 August 2016 the Senate voted 61-20 in favor of conviction and her removal from office; TEMER will now serve as president for the remainder of ROUSSEFF's term until 1 January 2019

cabinet

Cabinet appointed by the president

chief of state

President Michel Miguel Elias TEMER Lulia (since 31 August 2016); Vice President (vacant); note - the president is both chief of state and head of government

election results

Dilma ROUSSEFF reelected president in a runoff election; percent of vote - Dilma ROUSSEFF (PT) 51.6%, Aecio NEVES (PSDB) 48.4%

elections/appointments

president and vice president directly elected on the same ballot by absolute majority popular vote in 2 rounds if needed for a single 4-year term (eligible for a second term); election last held on 5 October 2014 with runoff on 26 October 2014 (next to be held in October 2018)

head of government

President Michel Miguel Elias TEMER Lulia (since 31 August 2016); Vice President (vacant)

note

on 12 May 2016, Brazil's Senate voted to hold an impeachment trial of President Dilma ROUSSEFF, who was then suspended from her executive duties; Vice President Michel TEMER then took over as acting president; on 31 August 2016 the Senate voted 61-20 in favor of conviction and her removal from office; TEMER will now serve as president for the remainder of ROUSSEFF's term until 1 January 2019

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) 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

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

Government type

federal presidential republic

Independence

7 September 1822 (from Portugal)

International law organization participation

has not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration; accepts ICCt jurisdiction

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, SICA (observer), UN, UNASUR, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNFICYP, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNIFIL, Union Latina, UNISFA, UNITAR, UNMIL, UNMISS, UNOCI, UNRWA, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WFTU (NGOs), WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO

Judicial branch

Supreme Federal Court or Supremo Tribunal Federal (consists of 11 justices) justices appointed by the president and approved by the Federal Senate; justices appointed to serve until mandatory retirement at age 75 Tribunal of the Union, Federal Appeals Court, Superior Court of Justice, Superior Electoral Court, regional federal courts; state court system

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 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

Legal system

civil law; note - a new civil law code was enacted in 2002 replacing the 1916 code

Legislative branch

bicameral National Congress or Congresso Nacional consists of the Federal Senate or Senado Federal (81 seats; 3 members each from 26 states and 3 from the federal district directly elected in multi-seat constituencies by simple majority vote to serve 8-year terms, with one-third and two-thirds of the membership elected alternately every 4 years) and the Chamber of Deputies or Camara dos Deputados (513 seats; members directly elected in multi-seat constituencies by proportional representation vote to serve 4-year terms) Federal Senate - last held on 5 October 2014 for one-third of the Senate (next to be held in October 2018 for two-thirds of the Senate); Chamber of Deputies - last held on 5 October 2014 (next to be held in October 2018) Federal Senate - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - PMDB 5, PSDB 4, PDT 4, PSB 3, DEM (formerly PFL) 3, PT 2, PSD 2, PTB 2, PP 1, PR 1; Chamber of Deputies - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - PT 70, PMDB 66, PSDB 54, PSD 37, PP 36, PR 34, PSB 34, PTB 25, DEM (formerly PFL) 22, PRB 21, PDT 19, SD 15, PSC 12, PROS 11, PCdoB 10, PPS 10, PV 8, PHS 5, PSOL 5, PTN 4, PMN 3, PRP 3, PEN 2, PTC 2, PSDC 2, PTdoB 1, PSL 1, PRTB 1

description

bicameral National Congress or Congresso Nacional consists of the Federal Senate or Senado Federal (81 seats; 3 members each from 26 states and 3 from the federal district directly elected in multi-seat constituencies by simple majority vote to serve 8-year terms, with one-third and two-thirds of the membership elected alternately every 4 years) and the Chamber of Deputies or Camara dos Deputados (513 seats; members directly elected in multi-seat constituencies by proportional representation vote to serve 4-year terms)

election results

Federal Senate - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - PMDB 5, PSDB 4, PDT 4, PSB 3, DEM (formerly PFL) 3, PT 2, PSD 2, PTB 2, PP 1, PR 1; Chamber of Deputies - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - PT 70, PMDB 66, PSDB 54, PSD 37, PP 36, PR 34, PSB 34, PTB 25, DEM (formerly PFL) 22, PRB 21, PDT 19, SD 15, PSC 12, PROS 11, PCdoB 10, PPS 10, PV 8, PHS 5, PSOL 5, PTN 4, PMN 3, PRP 3, PEN 2, PTC 2, PSDC 2, PTdoB 1, PSL 1, PRTB 1

elections

Federal Senate - last held on 5 October 2014 for one-third of the Senate (next to be held in October 2018 for two-thirds of the Senate); Chamber of Deputies - last held on 5 October 2014 (next to be held in October 2018)

National anthem

"Hino Nacional Brasileiro" (Brazilian National Anthem) Joaquim Osorio Duque ESTRADA/Francisco Manoel DA SILVA music adopted 1890, lyrics adopted 1922; the anthem's music, composed in 1822, was used unofficially for many years before it was adopted

lyrics/music

Joaquim Osorio Duque ESTRADA/Francisco Manoel DA SILVA

name

"Hino Nacional Brasileiro" (Brazilian National Anthem)

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 holiday

Independence Day, 7 September (1822)

National symbol(s)

Southern Cross constellation; national colors: green, yellow, blue

Southern Cross constellation; national colors

green, yellow, blue

Political parties and leaders

Brazilian Communist Party or PCB [Ivan Martins PINHEIRO] Brazilian Democratic Movement Party or PMDB [Michel TEMER] Brazilian Labor Party or PTB [Cristiane BRASIL] Brazilian Renewal Labor Party or PRTB [Jose Levy FIDELIX da Cruz] Brazilian Republican Party or PRB [Marcos Antonio PEREIRA] Brazilian Social Democracy Party or PSDB [Aecio NEVES] Brazilian Socialist Party or PSB [Carlos Roberto SIQUEIRA de Barros] Christian Labor Party or PTC [Daniel TOURINHO] Christian Social Democratic Party or PSDC [Jose Maria EYMAEL] Communist Party of Brazil or PCdoB [Jose Renato RABELO] Democratic Labor Party or PDT [Carlos Roberto LUPI] The Democrats or DEM [Jose AGRIPINO] (formerly Liberal Front Party or PFL) Free Homeland Party or PPL [Sergio RUBENS] Green Party or PV [Jose Luiz PENNA] Humanist Party of Solidarity or PHS [Eduardo MACHADO] Labor Party of Brazil or PTdoB [Luis Henrique de Oliveira RESENDE] National Ecologic Party or PEN [Adilson Barroso OLIVEIRA] National Labor Party or PTN [Jose Masci de ABREU] National Mobilization Party or PMN [Telma RIBEIRO dos Santos] Party of the Republic or PR [Alfredo NASCIMENTO] Popular Socialist Party or PPS [Roberto Joao Pereira FREIRE] Progressive Party or PP [Ciro NOGUEIRA] Progressive Republican Party or PRP [Ovasco Roma Altimari RESENDE] Republican Social Order Party or PROS [Euripedes JUNIOR] Social Christian Party or PSC [Vitor Jorge Abdala NOSSEIS] Social Democratic Party or PSD [Guilherme CAMPOS] Social Liberal Party or PSL [Luciano Caldas BIVAR] Socialism and Freedom Party or PSOL [Luiz ARAUJO] Solidarity or SD [Paulo PEREIRA DA SILVA] United Socialist Workers' Party or PSTU [Jose Maria DE ALMEIDA] Workers' Cause Party or PCO [Rui Costa PIMENTA] Workers' Party or PT [Rui FALCAO]

Political pressure groups and leaders

Landless Workers' Movement or MST [Joao Pedro STEDILE] industrial federations; labor unions and federations; large farmers' associations; religious groups including evangelical Christian churches and the Catholic Church

other

industrial federations; labor unions and federations; large farmers' associations; religious groups including evangelical Christian churches and the Catholic Church

Suffrage

voluntary between 16 to 18 years of age, over 70, and the illiterate; compulsory between 18 to 70 years of age; note - military conscripts by law cannot vote

Agriculture - products

coffee, soybeans, wheat, rice, corn, sugarcane, cocoa, citrus; beef

Budget

$646.4 billion $664.4 billion (2016 est.)

expenditures

$664.4 billion (2016 est.)

revenues

$646.4 billion

Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-)

-1% of GDP (2016 est.)

Central bank discount rate

13.75% (31 December 2016 est.) 14.25% (31 December 2015)

Commercial bank prime lending rate

52.1% (31 December 2016 est.) 43.96% (31 December 2015 est.)

Current account balance

$-23.53 billion (2016 est.) $-59.43 billion (2015 est.)

Debt - external

$551.3 billion (31 December 2016 est.) $543.4 billion (31 December 2015 est.)

Distribution of family income - Gini index

49.7 (2014) 55.3 (2001)

Economy - overview

Brazil is the eighth-largest economy in the world, but is recovering from a recession in 2015 and 2016 that ranks as the worst in the country’s history. Falling commodity prices reduced export revenues and investment, which weakened the Brazilian real and cut tax revenues. The weaker real made existing public debt, which was largely denominated in foreign currency, more expensive. Lower tax revenues strained the government budget. Economic reforms proposed in 2016 aim to slow the growth of government spending and reduce barriers to foreign investment. Government spending growth helped to push public debt to 70% of GDP at the end of 2016 up from 50% in 2012. Policies to strengthen Brazil’s workforce and industrial sector, such as local content requirements, may have boosted employment at the expense of investment. Former President Dilma ROUSSEFF was impeached and convicted in August 2016 for moving funds among government budgets; the economy has also been affected by multiple corruption scandals involving private companies and government officials. Sanctions against the firms involved — some of the largest in Brazil — has limited their business opportunities, producing a ripple effect on associated businesses and contractors. In addition, investment in these companies has declined because of the scandals. Brazil is a member of the Common Market of the South (Mercosur), a trade bloc including Argentina, Paraguay, Uruguay, and Venezuela. After the Asian and Russian financial crises, Mercosur adopted a protectionist stance to guard against exposure to the volatility of foreign markets. Brazil and its Mercosur partners have pledged to open the bloc to more trade and investment, but changes require approval of all five members, which makes policy adjustments too difficult to enact.

Exchange rates

reals (BRL) per US dollar - 3.4901 (2016 est.) 3.4901 (2015 est.) 3.3315 (2014 est.) 2.3535 (2013 est.) 1.95 (2012 est.)

Exports

$184.5 billion (2016 est.) $190.1 billion (2015 est.)

Exports - commodities

transport equipment, iron ore, soybeans, footwear, coffee, automobiles

Exports - partners

China 19%, US 12.6%, Argentina 7.3%, Netherlands 5.6% (2016)

Fiscal year

calendar year

GDP - composition, by end use

64% 20.2% 16.4% -0.9% 12.5% -12.1% (2016 est.)

exports of goods and services

12.5%

government consumption

20.2%

household consumption

64%

imports of goods and services

-12.1% (2016 est.)

investment in fixed capital

16.4%

investment in inventories

-0.9%

GDP - composition, by sector of origin

5.8% 20.9% 73.3% (2016 est.)

agriculture

5.8%

industry

20.9%

services

73.3%

GDP - per capita (PPP)

$15,200 (2016 est.) $15,900 (2015 est.) $16,700 (2014 est.) data are in 2016 dollars

note

data are in 2016 dollars

GDP - real growth rate

-3.6% (2016 est.) -3.8% (2015 est.) 0.5% (2014 est.)

GDP (official exchange rate)

$1.799 trillion (2016 est.)

GDP (purchasing power parity)

$3.141 trillion (2016 est.) $3.217 trillion (2015 est.) $3.307 trillion (2014 est.) data are in 2016 dollars

note

data are in 2016 dollars

Gross national saving

16.2% of GDP (2016 est.) 15.8% of GDP (2015 est.) 16.8% of GDP (2014 est.)

Household income or consumption by percentage share

1.2% 41.6% (2014 est.)

highest 10%

41.6% (2014 est.)

lowest 10%

1.2%

Imports

$139.4 billion (2016 est.) $172.4 billion (2015 est.)

Imports - commodities

machinery, electrical and transport equipment, chemical products, oil, automotive parts, electronics

Imports - partners

US 17.6%, China 16.9%, Argentina 6.7%, Germany 6.6%, South Korea 4.4% (2016)

Industrial production growth rate

-3.8% (2016 est.)

Industries

textiles, shoes, chemicals, cement, lumber, iron ore, tin, steel, aircraft, motor vehicles and parts, other machinery and equipment

Inflation rate (consumer prices)

8.7% (2016 est.) 9% (2015 est.)

Labor force

110.4 million (2016 est.)

Labor force - by occupation

10% 39.8% 50.2% (2016 est.)

agriculture

10%

industry

39.8%

services

50.2%

Market value of publicly traded shares

$490.5 billion (31 December 2015 est.) $843.9 billion (31 December 2014 est.) $1.02 trillion (31 December 2013 est.)

Population below poverty line

3.7% approximately 4% of the population are below the "extreme" poverty line (2016 est.)

note

approximately 4% of the population are below the "extreme" poverty line (2016 est.)

Public debt

69.9% of GDP (2016 est.) 65.5% of GDP (2015 est.)

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold

$365 billion (31 December 2016 est.) $356.5 billion (31 December 2015 est.)

Stock of broad money

$727.7 billion (31 December 2016 est.) $585.4 billion (31 December 2015 est.)

Stock of direct foreign investment - abroad

$319.1 billion (31 December 2016 est.) $288.5 billion (31 December 2015 est.)

Stock of direct foreign investment - at home

$763.7 billion (31 December 2016 est.) $597.5 billion (31 December 2015 est.)

Stock of domestic credit

$2.138 trillion (31 December 2016 est.) $1.644 trillion (31 December 2015 est.)

Stock of narrow money

$106.7 billion (31 December 2016 est.) $85.64 billion (31 December 2015 est.)

Taxes and other revenues

35.9% of GDP (2016 est.)

Unemployment rate

11.3% (2016 est.) 9% (2015 est.)

Carbon dioxide emissions from consumption of energy

535 million Mt (2013 est.)

Crude oil - exports

518,800 bbl/day (2014 est.)

Crude oil - imports

350,100 bbl/day (2014 est.)

Crude oil - production

2.515 million bbl/day (2016 est.)

Crude oil - proved reserves

13 billion bbl (1 January 2017 es)

Electricity - consumption

500.6 billion kWh (2015 est.)

Electricity - exports

219 million kWh (2015 est.)

Electricity - from fossil fuels

25.4% of total installed capacity (2015 est.)

Electricity - from hydroelectric plants

59.2% of total installed capacity (2015 est.)

Electricity - from nuclear fuels

1.2% of total installed capacity (2015 est.)

Electricity - from other renewable sources

16% of total installed capacity (2015 est.)

Electricity - imports

34.64 billion kWh (2015 est.)

Electricity - installed generating capacity

155.6 million kW (2015 est.)

Electricity - production

559.2 billion kWh (2015 est.)

Electricity access

800,000 99.5% 100% 97% (2013)

electrification - rural areas

97% (2013)

electrification - total population

99.5%

electrification - urban areas

100%

population without electricity

800,000

Natural gas - consumption

43.4 billion cu m (2015 est.)

Natural gas - exports

100 million cu m (2014 est.)

Natural gas - imports

18.98 billion cu m (2015 est.)

Natural gas - production

20.41 billion cu m (2015 est.)

Natural gas - proved reserves

429.9 billion cu m (1 January 2017 es)

Refined petroleum products - consumption

3.102 million bbl/day (2015 est.)

Refined petroleum products - exports

269,400 bbl/day (2014 est.)

Refined petroleum products - imports

559,000 bbl/day (2014 est.)

Refined petroleum products - production

2.899 million bbl/day (2014 est.)

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 (2007)

Internet country code

.br

Internet users

122,841,218 59.7% (July 2016 est.)

percent of population

59.7% (July 2016 est.)

total

122,841,218

Telephone system

good working system including an extensive microwave radio relay system and a domestic satellite system with 64 earth stations fixed-line connections have remained relatively stable in recent years and stand at about 20 per 100 persons; less-expensive mobile-cellular technology has been a major driver in expanding telephone service to the lower-income segments of the population with mobile-cellular teledensity roughly 120 per 100 persons country code - 55; landing point for a number of submarine cables, including Americas-1, Americas-2, Atlantis-2, GlobeNet, South America-1, South American Crossing/Latin American Nautilus, and UNISUR 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 (2016)

domestic

fixed-line connections have remained relatively stable in recent years and stand at about 20 per 100 persons; less-expensive mobile-cellular technology has been a major driver in expanding telephone service to the lower-income segments of the population with mobile-cellular teledensity roughly 120 per 100 persons

general assessment

good working system including an extensive microwave radio relay system and a domestic satellite system with 64 earth stations

international

country code - 55; landing point for a number of submarine cables, including Americas-1, Americas-2, Atlantis-2, GlobeNet, South America-1, South American Crossing/Latin American Nautilus, and UNISUR 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 (2016)

Telephones - fixed lines

41,846,846 20 (July 2016 est.)

subscriptions per 100 inhabitants

20 (July 2016 est.)

total subscriptions

41,846,846

Telephones - mobile cellular

244,066,759 119 (July 2016 est.)

subscriptions per 100 inhabitants

119 (July 2016 est.)

total

244,066,759

Airports

4,093 (2013)

Airports - with paved runways

49 (2017)

1,524 to 2,437 m

179

2,438 to 3,047 m

27

914 to 1,523 m

436

over 3,047 m

7

total

698

under 914 m

49 (2017)

Airports - with unpaved runways

3,395 1,619 1,684 (2013)

1,524 to 2,437 m

92

914 to 1,523 m

1,619

total

3,395

under 914 m

1,684 (2013)

Civil aircraft registration country code prefix

PP (2016)

Heliports

13 (2013)

Merchant marine

bulk carrier 18, cargo 16, chemical tanker 7, container 13, liquefied gas 11, petroleum tanker 39, roll on/roll off 5 27 (Chile 1, Denmark 3, Germany 6, Greece 1, Norway 3, Spain 12, Turkey 1) 36 (Argentina 1, Bahamas 1, Ghana 1, Liberia 20, Marshall Islands 1, Panama 3, Singapore 9) (2010)

by type

bulk carrier 18, cargo 16, chemical tanker 7, container 13, liquefied gas 11, petroleum tanker 39, roll on/roll off 5

foreign-owned

27 (Chile 1, Denmark 3, Germany 6, Greece 1, Norway 3, Spain 12, Turkey 1)

registered in other countries

36 (Argentina 1, Bahamas 1, Ghana 1, Liberia 20, Marshall Islands 1, Panama 3, Singapore 9) (2010)

total

109

National air transport system

102,039,359 149.393 million mt-km (2015)

annual freight traffic on registered air carriers

149.393 million mt-km (2015)

annual passenger traffic on registered air carriers

102,039,359

inventory of registered aircraft operated by air carriers

443

number of registered air carriers

9

Pipelines

condensate/gas 251 km; gas 17,312 km; liquid petroleum gas 352 km; oil 4,831 km; refined products 4,722 km (2013)

Ports and terminals

Belem, Paranagua, Rio Grande, Rio de Janeiro, Santos, Sao Sebastiao, Tubarao Manaus (Amazon) Sepetiba ore terminal, Tubarao Santos (3,780,000) (2015) DTSE/Gegua oil terminal, Ilha Grande (Gebig), Guaiba Island terminal, Guamare oil terminal Pecem, Rio de Janiero

container port(s) (TEUs)

Santos (3,780,000) (2015)

dry bulk cargo port(s)

Sepetiba ore terminal, Tubarao

LNG terminal(s) (import)

Pecem, Rio de Janiero

major seaport(s)

Belem, Paranagua, Rio Grande, Rio de Janeiro, Santos, Sao Sebastiao, Tubarao

oil terminal(s)

DTSE/Gegua oil terminal, Ilha Grande (Gebig), Guaiba Island terminal, Guamare oil terminal

river port(s)

Manaus (Amazon)

Railways

29,849.9 km 5,822.3 km 1.600-m gauge (498.3 km electrified) 492 km 1.600-1.000-m gauge 194 km 1.435-m gauge 23,341.6 km 1.000-m gauge (24 km electrified) (2014)

broad gauge

5,822.3 km 1.600-m gauge (498.3 km electrified)

dual gauge

492 km 1.600-1.000-m gauge

narrow gauge

23,341.6 km 1.000-m gauge (24 km electrified) (2014)

standard gauge

194 km 1.435-m gauge

total

29,849.9 km

Roadways

1,580,964 km 212,798 km 1,368,166 km does not include urban roads (2010)

note

does not include urban roads (2010)

paved

212,798 km

total

1,580,964 km

unpaved

1,368,166 km

Waterways

50,000 km (most in areas remote from industry and population) (2012)

Military branches

Brazilian Army (Exercito Brasileiro, EB), Brazilian Navy (Marinha do Brasil, MB, includes Naval Air and Marine Corps (Corpo de Fuzileiros Navais)), Brazilian Air Force (Forca Aerea Brasileira, FAB) (2011)

Military expenditures

1.32% of GDP (2016) 1.36% of GDP (2015) 1.33% of GDP (2014) 1.33% of GDP (2013) 1.38% of GDP (2012)

Military service age and obligation

18-45 years of age for compulsory military service; conscript service obligation is 10-12 months; 17-45 years of age for voluntary service; an increasing percentage of the ranks are "long-service" volunteer professionals; women were allowed to serve in the armed forces beginning in early 1980s, when the Brazilian Army became the first army in South America to accept women into career ranks; women serve in Navy and Air Force only in Women's Reserve Corps (2012)

Disputes - international

uncontested boundary dispute between Brazil and Uruguay over Braziliera/Brasiliera Island in the Quarai/Cuareim River leaves the tripoint with Argentina in question; smuggling of firearms and narcotics continues to be an issue along the Uruguay-Brazil border; Colombian-organized illegal narcotics and paramilitary activities penetrate Brazil's border region with Venezuela

Illicit drugs

second-largest consumer of cocaine in the world; illicit producer of cannabis; trace amounts of coca cultivation in the Amazon region, used for domestic consumption; government has a large-scale eradication program to control cannabis; important transshipment country for Bolivian, Colombian, and Peruvian cocaine headed for Europe; also used by traffickers as a way station for narcotics air transshipments between Peru and Colombia; upsurge in drug-related violence and weapons smuggling; important market for Colombian, Bolivian, and Peruvian cocaine; illicit narcotics proceeds are often laundered through the financial system; significant illicit financial activity in the Tri-Border Area