Brazil

Country Profile

 Picture Source: www.cia.gov                          

By the 1970s, Brazil became the leading economic power in South America due to its industrialization of natural resources and large labor pool [1].  It was ranked close to have attained a high level of human development in 1991 and 1994 based on the human development index (HDI) of the UNDP [7].  The country faces internal disparities within its five regions.  The South, Southeast, and Central-west are in the upper ranges of human development, however the 9 states located in the Northeast have the lowest socioeconomic status which is estimated that 46% of the population lives in poverty [7].  The disparities can be seen in gender and ethnic inequalities.  Women make up 35% of the economically active population (EAP), however they earn a median wage of 63% that of men.  Among blacks and pardos (other dark-skinned groups) that make up 44% of the total population earned on average 68% of the amount earned by whites [7].  Adults not only make up the labor force, children aged 10-14 years old made up 5% of the EAP in 1995.  Data from 1990 indicate that, among poor families, 23% of 10-14 years old children worked who are not protected by labor laws and usually work more than 40 hours per week, earning less than minimum wage [7].

The government is a Federative Republic.  Political administration includes executive, legislative, judicial branches.  There are 26 states in the country and 5508 districts (municipios) [7].  Legislative power is exercised by the bicameral Congresso Nacional, comprising the Senado Federal  and the Camara dos Deputados. 

Education is free in pre-primary schools and is compulsory between ages seven and fourteen years old.  Secondary education is also free.  The Federal Government is responsible for higher education.  Expenditure on education by the central Government was forecast at R $5100m for 2000.  In 1998, 95.8% of children were enrolled in primary schools but only 30.7% of those aged 15 to 17 were enrolled at secondary schools.  Brazil has an anti-illiteracy campaign, established in 1971, however estimates in 1996 showed that the adult illiteracy rate was 14.7% (Europa).

Population        

1991

1995

1999

2002

Total

151,052

162,982

176,029

< 5 years

11.6%

10.2%

9.0%

5-14 years

23.1%

21.5%

19.0%

> 14 years

65.3%

68.3%

72.0%

Population Growth Rate

1980-90

2002

Not reported

.091

TFR (Total Fertility Rate)

1980

2000

Not reported

2.09

Under- five Mortality Rate

1980

2000

Not reported

45.9

IMR (Infant Mortality Rate)

1980

2000

.064

.042

MMR (deaths per 100,000 live births)

1985-1999

160

% Pregnant Women Immunized against Tetanus

1998

80.8

DPT Immunization (% < 12 mths)

1999

94.7

Measles Immunization (% < 12mths)

1999

87.2

Economic

GDP (US $ billions)

1980-90

2000

Not reported

Not reported

GNP per capita at PPP

1999

6,317

GNP annual growth rate

1998-99

-3.2

% Below Poverty Line ($1/day)

17.4

Public Expenditure on Health

(% of GDP)

1997

48.7

Public Expenditure on Education

(% of GNP)

1995-1997

Education        

1980

1990

1995

2000

Literacy pop. over 15

Females

85.1

Males

85.4

Gross Primary School Enrollment

(% of age group)

Females

Not reported

Males

Not reported

Gross Secondary School Enrollment

(% of age group)

Females

Males

Health and Nutrition

% of Births Attended

1990

9

% Pop. Access Improved Sanitation

2000

67

% Pop. Access Improved Water

2000

69

% Pop. living with HIV/AIDS,

(age 15 -49)

1999

Not reported

Weight/Age (% less than –2 z-score)

1995-2000

5.7

Height/Age (% less than –2 z-score)

10.5

Median Duration Breastfeeding

11.8 mos.

Food and Dietary Indices

1980

1990

1995

1999

Total Calories Consumed (kcals/day)

Animal Sources of food (kcals/day)