MONGABAY.COM
Mongabay.com seeks to raise interest in and appreciation of wild lands and wildlife, while examining the impact of emerging trends in climate, technology, economics, and finance on conservation and development (more)
WEEKLY NEWSLETTER
|
|
Brazil Index
Since the early twentieth century, the armed forces have pursued the goal of weapons self-sufficiency. Their intention was never to develop a large arsenal but to have the technical capability to produce the arms needed for Brazil's military. During World War I, the large navy was cut off from resupply of big gun shells and became a paper navy, thus reinforcing the drive for self-sufficiency. The rapid industrialization that took place after 1930 provided the infrastructure necessary for developing an arms industry. After World War II, Brazil developed a steel mill at Volta Redonda, in Rio de Janeiro State, and quickly became the largest steel producer in Latin America. In 1954 Brazil began manufacturing its first automatic pistols. The earliest armored personnel carriers (APCs) produced by Brazil, in the 1960s, benefited directly from some of the technology developed by Brazil's dynamic automotive industry. Brazil's push for nationalization of the computer-related industry in the 1970s also began with the navy, which could not decipher the "black box" computerized range-finding and firing mechanisms on the British frigates they had purchased, and did not want to be dependent on imported maintenance.
In the 1950s, Brazil set up the precursor to the Aerospace Technical Center (Centro Técnico Aeroespacial--CTA). Located in São José dos Campos, the CTA became the focal point for the arms industry. The CTA has trained a generation of engineers through its technical institute, the Aeronautical Technology Institute (Instituto Tecnológico da Aeronáutica--ITA). In 1986 it was estimated that 60 percent of 800 Embraer engineers had graduated from the ITA.
Brazil's three largest arms firms were established in the 1960s. Avibrás Aerospace Industry (Avibrás Indústria Aeroespacial S.A.--Avibrás) was established in 1961; Engesa, in 1963; and Embraer, in 1969. It was only in the subsequent period, from 1977 through 1988, that the three firms began to export arms on a large scale. In addition an estimated 350 firms were involved directly or indirectly in the arms production process in Brazil. The fourth largest Brazilian arms company was the War Matériel Industry (Indústria de Material Bélico do Brasil--Imbel), established on July 14, 1975, to unify the army's seven ordnance and ammunition factories.
Engineers associated formerly with the CTA created Avibrás as a private aerospace firm. In 1964 Avibrás was granted the Sonda I rocket contract and since then has been the major firm involved with the development of sounding rockets (Sondas II, III, and IV). It also has taken a leading role in developing missiles. In the 1980s and early 1990s, Avibrás worked almost exclusively with the manufacturing of rockets and multiple-launch rocket systems (MLRS), such as the Astros II, in addition to developing antitank and antiship missiles. At its peak, Avibrás employed 6,000 people.
Engesa also was formed as a private firm. Initially, it was involved in renovating World War II-vintage tanks. Engesa built wheeled APCs, such as the EE-11 Urutu amphibious APC, the EE-9 Cascavel armored reconnaissance vehicle, the EE-17 Sucuri tank destroyer, and the EE-3 Jararaca scout car, in addition to a wide range of other products. Engesa's APCs were all based on an indigenously designed suspension system. Engesa's weapons were exported almost exclusively to the developing world, especially to countries in the Middle East, Latin America, and Africa. By the mid-1980s, Engesa had expanded to a group of twelve subsidiaries and employed more than 5,000 people. By that time, the company had spent US$100 million on the development of the Osório, a main battle tank, but was unable to find a buyer for it. The Osório project came to an abrupt end with Operation Desert Storm against Iraq in 1991. In 1990 Engesa had won the evaluation process by the Saudis. After Desert Storm, Brazil was no match for United States competition, given the close ties that developed between Saudi Arabia and the United States during the war with Iraq.
By the mid-1980s, Embraer had become the largest aircraft manufacturer in the developing world, with sales of more than 4,000 aircraft. It has encountered great success with its Bandeirante and Brasília models, sold to the United States and other foreign countries. In 1988, at its height, it employed more than 12,000 workers. The Brazilian government owned about 5 percent of the company but controlled most of the voting stock. The government supported Embraer with generous interest rates on its loans, a reinvestment of profits into research and development, and purchases of its aircraft.
By 1980 Brazil had become a net exporter of arms. On the demand side, the rapid success resulted from a growing need in the developing world for armaments. On the supply side, Brazil's arms exports were designed for developing world markets and were noted for their high quality, easy maintenance, good performance in adverse conditions, and low cost. The product line was broad and came to include ammunition, grenades, mines, armored personnel vehicles, patrol boats, navy patrol planes, turboprop trainers, tanks, and subsonic jet fighters.
In the early 1980s, Brazil emerged as one of the leading armaments exporters in the developing world. From 1985 to 1989, it was the eleventh largest exporter of arms. Brazil exported arms to at least forty-two countries, in all regions of the world. By far the largest regional market was the Middle East, to which Brazil sold approximately 50 percent of its arms from 1977 through 1988. According to an estimate by the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI), 40 percent of all Brazilian arms transfers from 1985 to 1989 went to Iraq.
Brazil's arms industry nearly collapsed after 1988, as a result of the termination of the Iran-Iraq War (1980-88), a reduction in world demand for armaments, and the decline in state support for the industry. In early 1990, the two major manufacturers, Engesa and Avibrás, filed for bankruptcy.
By late 1994, it appeared that Brazil's arms industry would not disappear completely. It was unlikely, however, that it would return to the robust form of the mid-1980s. Avibrás had paid off a substantial portion of its debt and was seeking ways to convert much of its production to civilian products. Engesa had been dismembered; some of its companies were sold to private interests, and its ordnance-related companies were taken over by the state and integrated with Imbel. Embraer was privatized in December 1994, and despite significant financial difficulties, it rolled out the new jet commuter plane prototype EMB-145 in 1995.
Mission of the Armed Forces
Data as of April 1997
- Brazil-Brazil and International Conflicts, 1917-95
- Brazil-Women in Politics
- Brazil-State and Local Governments
- Brazil-The Political Party System
- Brazil-The Second Empire, 1840-89 The Regency Era, 1831-40
- Brazil-The Presidential Election of 1989 Elections
- Brazil-Growth of Social and Environmental Movements Conflict and Nonviolence
- Brazil-Chapter 2 - The Society and Its Environment
- Brazil-The Physical Setting
- Brazil-The Services Sector Nuclear Power
- Brazil-Brazil's Real Plan
- Brazil-Civil-Military Relations, 1985-94
- Brazil-The Military Republic, 1964-85
- Brazil-Trade Patterns and Regional Economic Integration
- Brazil-Defense Expenditures
- Brazil-Organization of the Armed Forces
- Brazil-The 1981-84 Period
- Brazil-Transportation and Communications
- Brazil-Cardoso's Presidency, 1995
- Brazil-Multilateral Relations Foreign Policy Decision Making
- Brazil-Cultural Unity and Diversity
- Brazil-Rural Groups
- Brazil-Missile Programs
- Brazil-Mass Communications Language
- Brazil-The Elderly Youth
- Brazil-Social Security Public Health and Welfare
- Brazil-Economic Outlook
- Brazil-Emperor Pedro I, 1822-31 The Empire, 1822-89
- Brazil-Fiscal Trends in the 1980s Fiscal and Monetary Policy, the Public Sector, and Inflation
- Brazil-Table A - Selected Acronyms and Abbreviations
- Brazil-The Post-Vargas Republic, 1954-64
- Brazil-Science and Technology as Modernization, 1945-64 The Search for Alternatives
- Brazil-Brazil
- Brazil-Ranks, Uniforms, and Insignia Conscription
- Brazil-Democratic Labor Party
- Brazil-Literacy Education
- Brazil-The Legislature
- Brazil-National Security
- Brazil-Family and Kinship
- Brazil-Religion
- Brazil-Federal Police Security Forces
- Brazil-Migration and Urbanization
- Brazil-Social Structure
- Brazil-Country
- Brazil-Geography
- Brazil-Employment and Earnings
- Brazil-Penal Institutions
- Brazil-Toward the Future
- Brazil-Minor Parties in Congress
- Brazil-The Environment Center-West
- Brazil-Nuclear Programs
- Brazil-Society
- Brazil-Airports
- Brazil-The 1990-94 Period
- Brazil-The Labor Force and Income Levels
- Brazil-The Judiciary
- Brazil-The Era of Getúlio Vargas, 1930-54
- Brazil-Preface
- Brazil-Fishing Livestock
- Brazil-Housing Sanitation and Public Utilities
- Brazil-Energy
- Brazil-The Colonial Era, 1500-1815
- Brazil-The Indigenous Population
- Brazil-Amerindians Race and Ethnicity
- Brazil-Principal Research Libraries
- Brazil-Social Conflict and Participation
- Brazil-Population Size and Distribution Population
- Brazil-Mining Industry
- Brazil-Science for Industrial Competitiveness
- Brazil-The Computer Industry Policy
- Brazil-Africa The Middle East
- Brazil-Chapter 1 - Historical Setting
- Brazil-Party of National Reconstruction
- Brazil-General Elections, 1994
- Brazil-University Research and Graduate Education Research and Development
- Brazil-Chapter 5 - National Security
- Brazil-Inland Waterways
- Brazil-Women in the Armed Forces Officer Recruitment
- Brazil-Indicators of Health Health Status and Health Care
- Brazil-Stagnation, Inflation, and Crisis, 1981-94 Growth with Debt, 1974-80
- Brazil-Applied Science in Agriculture and Health Imperial Science
- Brazil-Telecommunications
- Brazil-Other Activities by the Federal Government The Coordination of High-Level Personnel Training
- Brazil-Air Force
- Brazil-Personnel and Training
- Brazil-Agriculture Structure of Production
- Brazil-Colleges and Universities Primary and Secondary Schools
- Brazil-The Foreign Service Foreign Relations
- Brazil-Railroads
- Brazil-The Brazilian Way
- Brazil-Constitutional Framework
- Brazil-Brazilian Communist Party
- Brazil-Franco's Presidency, 1992-94 Collor de Mello's Presidency, 1990-92
- Brazil-The Internal Security Mission, 1964-85 From Moderator to Director, 1930-85
- Brazil-Liberal Front Party
- Brazil-The Lobbying Process Interest Groups
- Brazil-Acknowledgments
- Brazil-Soils and Vegetation
- Brazil-Government and Politics
- Brazil-Chapter 6 - Science and Technology
- Brazil-Colonial Science Historical Evolution
- Brazil-Exchange-Rate and Balance of Payments Policies
- Brazil-Privatization
- Brazil-Interest Group Politics
- Brazil-Municipal Elections, 1996
- Brazil-Foreword
- Brazil-Europe Latin America
- Brazil-Education and Training
- Brazil-Early Colonization
- Brazil-Stagnation and Spectacular Growth, 1962-80 Import-Substitution Industrialization, 1945-64
- Brazil-Inequality and Poverty Earnings
- Brazil-Army Command and Control
- Brazil-Defense Industries
- Brazil-Mission of the Armed Forces
- Brazil-Table B - Chronology of Important Events
- Brazil-Stagnation, 1962-67
- Brazil-Civic Action The Military Role in Counter-Drug Actions
- Brazil
- Brazil-Trade Policies
- Brazil-Gold Mining Displaces Cane Farming French and Dutch Incursions
- Brazil-The Ministry of Science and Technology Administration of Science and Technology
- Brazil-Early History The Military Role in Society and Government
- Brazil-The Electoral System
- Brazil-Crime and Punishment
- Brazil-State Police
- Brazil
- Brazil-United States Asia
- Brazil-Foreign Military Influence
- Brazil-The Military Role in the Intelligence Services
- Brazil-Technological Research in the Private Sector Research in State-Owned Corporations
- Brazil-Chapter 3 - The Economy
- Brazil-Historical Background and Economic Growth
- Brazil-Capital Flows and the External Debt Exchange Rates and Foreign Trade
- Brazil
- Brazil-The Strategic Affairs Secretariat, 1990-94 The National Intelligence Service, 1964-90
- Brazil-The Military in the Amazon The Military Mission since 1988
- Brazil
- Brazil
- Brazil-Sociology of the Officer Corps
- Brazil
- Brazil-The São Paulo Science and Technology System Science and Technology in the States
- Brazil-Major Parties in Congress Historical Origins and Evolution
- Brazil
- Brazil-Fertility Mortality
- Brazil
- Brazil-The Funding Authority for Studies and Projects National Council for Scientific and Technological Development
- Brazil
- Brazil-Party Legislation Regional Strength of the Parties
- Brazil-Country Profile
- Brazil-Gender Social Classes
- Brazil-The Kingdom of Portugal and Brazil, 1815-21
- Brazil-The Transition to Kingdom Status
- Brazil-North
- Brazil-Brazilian Social Democracy Party
- Brazil-Chapter 4 - Government and Politics
- Brazil
- Brazil-Political Culture
- Brazil
- Brazil-The Economy at Independence, 1822 The Eighteenth-Century Gold Rush
- Brazil-Navy
- Brazil-Other Religions Roman Catholicism
- Brazil-The Colonial Period
- Brazil-The Executive Structure of Government
- Brazil-Geographic Regions Climate
- Brazil-A Period of Sweeping Change, 1930-45 The Coffee Economy, 1840-1930
- Brazil-The Space Program
- Brazil-Progressive Renewal Party
- Brazil-Inclusion and Exclusion
- Brazil-Municipal Elections, 1992 Congressional and State Elections, 1990
- Brazil-Southeast
- Brazil-Frontier Expansion That Shaped Brazil
- Brazil-The Media
- Brazil-Policy Perspectives Centers of Excellence
- Brazil
- Brazil-Petroleum
Background | | Following more than three centuries under Portuguese rule, Brazil peacefully 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 half a 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. Exploiting vast natural resources and a large labor pool, it is today South America's leading economic power and a regional leader. Highly unequal income distribution and crime remain pressing problems.
|
Location | | Eastern South America, bordering the Atlantic Ocean
|
Area(sq km) | | total: 8,514,877 sq km land: 8,459,417 sq km water: 55,460 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
|
Geographic coordinates | | 10 00 S, 55 00 W
|
Land boundaries(km) | | total: 16,885 km border countries: Argentina 1,261 km, Bolivia 3,423 km, Colombia 1,644 km, French Guiana 730 km, Guyana 1,606 km, Paraguay 1,365 km, Peru 2,995 km, Suriname 593 km, Uruguay 1,068 km, Venezuela 2,200 km
|
Coastline(km) | | 7,491 km
|
Climate | | mostly tropical, but temperate in south
|
Elevation extremes(m) | | lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m highest point: Pico da Neblina 3,014 m
|
Natural resources | | bauxite, gold, iron ore, manganese, nickel, phosphates, platinum, tin, uranium, petroleum, hydropower, timber
|
Land use(%) | | arable land: 6.93% permanent crops: 0.89% other: 92.18% (2005)
|
Irrigated land(sq km) | | 29,200 sq km (2003)
|
Total renewable water resources(cu km) | | 8,233 cu km (2000)
|
Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural) | | total: 59.3 cu km/yr (20%/18%/62%) per capita: 318 cu m/yr (2000)
|
Natural hazards | | recurring droughts in northeast; floods and occasional frost in south
|
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 | | 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
|
Geography - note | | largest country in South America; shares common boundaries with every South American country except Chile and Ecuador
|
Population | | 198,739,269 note: Brazil conducted a census in August 2000, which reported a population of 169,872,855; that figure was about 3.8% lower than projections by the US Census Bureau, and is close to the implied underenumeration of 4.6% for the 1991 census (July 2009 est.)
|
Age structure(%) | | 0-14 years: 26.7% (male 27,092,880/female 26,062,244) 15-64 years: 66.8% (male 65,804,108/female 67,047,725) 65 years and over: 6.4% (male 5,374,230/female 7,358,082) (2009 est.)
|
Median age(years) | | total: 28.6 years male: 27.8 years female: 29.3 years (2009 est.)
|
Population growth rate(%) | | 1.199% (2009 est.)
|
Birth rate(births/1,000 population) | | 18.43 births/1,000 population (2009 est.)
|
Death rate(deaths/1,000 population) | | 6.35 deaths/1,000 population (July 2009 est.)
|
Net migration rate(migrant(s)/1,000 population) | | -0.09 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2009 est.)
|
Urbanization(%) | | urban population: 86% of total population (2008) rate of urbanization: 1.8% annual rate of change (2005-10 est.)
|
Sex ratio(male(s)/female) | | at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.04 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 0.98 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.73 male(s)/female total population: 0.98 male(s)/female (2009 est.)
|
Infant mortality rate(deaths/1,000 live births) | | total: 22.58 deaths/1,000 live births male: 26.16 deaths/1,000 live births female: 18.83 deaths/1,000 live births (2009 est.)
|
Life expectancy at birth(years) | | total population: 71.99 years male: 68.43 years female: 75.73 years (2009 est.)
|
Total fertility rate(children born/woman) | | 2.21 children born/woman (2009 est.)
|
Nationality | | noun: Brazilian(s) adjective: Brazilian
|
Ethnic groups(%) | | white 53.7%, mulatto (mixed white and black) 38.5%, black 6.2%, other (includes Japanese, Arab, Amerindian) 0.9%, unspecified 0.7% (2000 census)
|
Religions(%) | | Roman Catholic (nominal) 73.6%, Protestant 15.4%, Spiritualist 1.3%, Bantu/voodoo 0.3%, other 1.8%, unspecified 0.2%, none 7.4% (2000 census)
|
Languages(%) | | Portuguese (official and most widely spoken language); note - less common languages include Spanish (border areas and schools), German, Italian, Japanese, English, and a large number of minor Amerindian languages
|
Country name | | conventional long form: Federative Republic of Brazil conventional short form: Brazil local long form: Republica Federativa do Brasil local short form: Brasil
|
Government type | | federal republic
|
Capital | | name: Brasilia geographic coordinates: 15 47 S, 47 55 W time difference: UTC-3 (2 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time) daylight saving time: +1hr, begins third Sunday in October; ends third Sunday in February note: Brazil is divided into four time zones, including one for the Fernando de Noronha Islands
|
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
|
Constitution | | 5-Oct-88
|
Legal system | | based on Roman codes; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction
|
Suffrage | | voluntary between 16 and 18 years of age and over 70; compulsory over 18 and under 70 years of age; note - military conscripts do not vote
|
Executive branch | | chief of state: President Luiz Inacio LULA da Silva (since 1 January 2003); Vice President Jose ALENCAR Gomes da Silva (since 1 January 2003); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of government head of government: President Luiz Inacio LULA da Silva (since 1 January 2003); Vice President Jose ALENCAR Gomes da Silva (since 1 January 2003) cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the president elections: president and vice president elected on the same ticket by popular vote for a single four-year term; election last held 1 October 2006 with runoff 29 October 2006 (next to be held 3 October 2010 and, if necessary, 31 October 2010) election results: Luiz Inacio LULA da Silva (PT) reelected president - 60.83%, Geraldo ALCKMIN (PSDB) 39.17%
|
Legislative branch | | bicameral National Congress or Congresso Nacional consists of the Federal Senate or Senado Federal (81 seats; 3 members from each state and federal district elected according to the principle of majority to serve eight-year terms; one-third and two-thirds elected every four years, alternately) and the Chamber of Deputies or Camara dos Deputados (513 seats; members are elected by proportional representation to serve four-year terms) elections: Federal Senate - last held 1 October 2006 for one-third of the Senate (next to be held in October 2010 for two-thirds of the Senate); Chamber of Deputies - last held 1 October 2006 (next to be held in October 2010) election results: Federal Senate - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - PFL 6, PSDB 5, PMDB 4, PTB 3, PT 2, PDT 1, PSB 1, PL 1, PPS 1, PRTB 1, PP 1, PCdoB 1; Chamber of Deputies - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - PMDB 89, PT 83, PFL 65, PSDB 65, PP 42, PSB 27, PDT 24, PL 23, PTB 22, PPS 21, PCdoB 13, PV 13, PSC 9, other 17; note - as of 1 January 2009, the composition of the entire legislature is as follows: Federal Senate - seats by party - PMDB 21, DEM (formerly PFL) 12, PSDB 13, PT 12, PTB 7, PDT 5, PR 4, PSB 2, PCdoB 1, PRB 1, PP 1, PSC 1, PSOL 1; Chamber of Deputies - seats by party - PMDB 95, PT 79, PSDB 59, DEM (formerly PFL) 53, PR 44, PP 40, PSB 29, PDT 25, PTB 19, PPS 14, PV 14, PCdoB 13, PSC 11, PMN 5, PRB 4, PHS 3, PSOL 3, PTC 1, PTdoB 1
|
Judicial branch | | Supreme Federal Tribunal or STF (11 ministers are appointed for life by the president and confirmed by the Senate); Higher Tribunal of Justice; Regional Federal Tribunals (judges are appointed for life); note - though appointed "for life," judges, like all federal employees, have a mandatory retirement age of 70
|
Political pressure groups and leaders | | Landless Workers' Movement or MST other: labor unions and federations; large farmers' associations; religious groups including evangelical Christian churches and the Catholic Church
|
International organization participation | | AfDB (nonregional member), BIS, CAN (associate), CPLP, FAO, G-15, G-20, G-24, G-77, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, ITUC, LAES, LAIA, LAS (observer), Mercosur, MIGA, MINURCAT, MINURSO, MINUSTAH, NAM (observer), NSG, OAS, OPANAL, OPCW, Paris Club (associate), PCA, RG, SICA (observer), UN, UN Security Council (temporary), UNASUR, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNFICYP, UNHCR, UNIDO, Union Latina, UNITAR, UNMIL, UNMIS, UNMIT, UNOCI, UNWTO, UPU, WCL, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO
|
Flag description | | green with a large yellow diamond in the center bearing a blue celestial globe with 27 white five-pointed stars (one for each state and the Federal District) arranged in the same pattern as the night sky over Brazil; the globe has a white equatorial band with the motto ORDEM E PROGRESSO (Order and Progress)
|
Economy - overview | | Characterized by large and well-developed agricultural, mining, manufacturing, and service sectors, Brazil's economy outweighs that of all other South American countries and Brazil is expanding its presence in world markets. From 2003 to 2007, Brazil ran record trade surpluses and recorded its first current account surpluses since 1992. Productivity gains coupled with high commodity prices contributed to the surge in exports. Brazil improved its debt profile in 2006 by shifting its debt burden toward real denominated and domestically held instruments. LULA da Silva restated his commitment to fiscal responsibility by maintaining the country's primary surplus during the 2006 election. Following his second inauguration in October of that year, LULA da Silva announced a package of further economic reforms to reduce taxes and increase investment in infrastructure. Brazil's debt achieved investment grade status early in 2008, but the government's attempt to achieve strong growth while reducing the debt burden created inflationary pressures. For most of 2008, the Central Bank embarked on a restrictive monetary policy to stem these pressures. Since the onset of the global financial crisis in September, Brazil's currency and its stock market - Bovespa - have significantly lost value, -41% for Bovespa for the year ending 30 December 2008. Brazil incurred another current account deficit in 2008, as world demand and prices for commodities dropped in the second-half of the year.
|
GDP (purchasing power parity) | | $1.998 trillion (2008 est.) $1.901 trillion (2007 est.) $1.798 trillion (2006 est.) note: data are in 2008 US dollars
|
GDP (official exchange rate) | | $1.573 trillion (2008 est.)
|
GDP - real growth rate(%) | | 5.1% (2008 est.) 5.7% (2007 est.) 4% (2006 est.)
|
GDP - per capita (PPP) | | $10,200 (2008 est.) $9,800 (2007 est.) $9,400 (2006 est.) note: data are in 2008 US dollars
|
GDP - composition by sector(%) | | agriculture: 6.7% industry: 28% services: 65.3% (2008 est.)
|
Labor force | | 93.65 million (2008 est.)
|
Labor force - by occupation(%) | | agriculture: 20% industry: 14% services: 66% (2003 est.)
|
Unemployment rate(%) | | 7.9% (2008 est.) 9.3% (2007 est.)
|
Population below poverty line(%) | | 31% (2005)
|
Household income or consumption by percentage share(%) | | lowest 10%: 1.1% highest 10%: 43% (2007)
|
Distribution of family income - Gini index | | 56.7 (2005) 60.7 (1998)
|
Investment (gross fixed)(% of GDP) | | 19% of GDP (2008 est.)
|
Budget | | revenues: NA expenditures: NA
|
Inflation rate (consumer prices)(%) | | 5.7% (2008 est.) 3.6% (2007 est.)
|
Stock of money | | $95.03 billion (31 December 2008) $131.1 billion (31 December 2007)
|
Stock of quasi money | | $724.5 billion (31 December 2008) $792.8 billion (31 December 2007)
|
Stock of domestic credit | | $1.249 trillion (31 December 2008) $1.377 trillion (31 December 2007)
|
Market value of publicly traded shares | | $589.4 billion (31 December 2008) $1.37 trillion (31 December 2007) $711.1 billion (31 December 2006)
|
Economic aid - recipient | | $191.9 million (2005)
|
Public debt(% of GDP) | | 38.8% of GDP (2008 est.) 52% of GDP (2004 est.)
|
Agriculture - products | | coffee, soybeans, wheat, rice, corn, sugarcane, cocoa, citrus; beef
|
Industries | | textiles, shoes, chemicals, cement, lumber, iron ore, tin, steel, aircraft, motor vehicles and parts, other machinery and equipment
|
Industrial production growth rate(%) | | 4.3% (2008 est.)
|
Current account balance | | -$28.19 billion (2008 est.) $1.551 billion (2007 est.)
|
Exports | | $197.9 billion (2008 est.) $160.6 billion (2007 est.)
|
Exports - commodities(%) | | transport equipment, iron ore, soybeans, footwear, coffee, autos
|
Exports - partners(%) | | US 14.4%, China 12.4%, Argentina 8.4%, Netherlands 5%, Germany 4.5% (2008)
|
Imports | | $173.1 billion (2008 est.) $120.6 billion (2007 est.)
|
Imports - commodities(%) | | machinery, electrical and transport equipment, chemical products, oil, automotive parts, electronics
|
Imports - partners(%) | | US 14.9%, China 11.6%, Argentina 7.9%, Germany 7% (2008)
|
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold | | $193.8 billion (31 December 2008 est.) $180.3 billion (31 December 2007 est.)
|
Debt - external | | $262.9 billion (31 December 2008) $240.5 billion (31 December 2007)
|
Stock of direct foreign investment - at home | | $294 billion (31 December 2008 est.) $248.9 billion (31 December 2007 est.)
|
Stock of direct foreign investment - abroad | | $127.5 billion (31 December 2008 est.) $107.1 billion (31 December 2007 est.)
|
Exchange rates | | reals (BRL) per US dollar - 1.8644 (2008 est.), 1.85 (2007 est.), 2.1761 (2006), 2.4344 (2005), 2.9251 (2004)
|
Currency (code) | | real (BRL)
|
Telephones - main lines in use | | 41.141 million (2008)
|
Telephones - mobile cellular | | 150.641 million (2008)
|
Telephone system | | general assessment: good working system; fixed-line connections have remained relatively stable in recent years and stand at about 20 per 100 persons; less expensive mobile cellular technology is a major driver in expanding telephone service to the low-income segment of the population with mobile-cellular telephone density reaching 80 per 100 persons domestic: extensive microwave radio relay system and a domestic satellite system with 64 earth stations; mobile-cellular usage has more than tripled in the past 5 years international: country code - 55; landing point for a number of submarine cables, including Atlantis 2, that provide direct links 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 (2008)
|
Internet country code | | .br
|
Internet users | | 64.948 million (2008)
|
Airports | | 4,000 (2009)
|
Pipelines(km) | | condensate/gas 62 km; gas 9,892 km; liquid petroleum gas 353 km; oil 4,517 km; refined products 4,465 km (2008)
|
Roadways(km) | | total: 1,751,868 km paved: 96,353 km unpaved: 1,655,515 km (2004)
|
Ports and terminals | | Guaiba, Ilha Grande, Paranagua, Rio Grande, Santos, Sao Sebastiao, Tubarao
|
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) (2009)
|
Military service age and obligation(years of age) | | 21-45 years of age for compulsory military service; conscript service obligation - 9 to 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 (2001)
|
Manpower available for military service | | males age 16-49: 52,523,552 females age 16-49: 52,628,945 (2009 est.)
|
Manpower fit for military service | | males age 16-49: 38,043,555 females age 16-49: 44,267,520 (2009 est.)
|
Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually | | male: 1,690,031 female: 1,630,851 (2009 est.)
|
Military expenditures(% of GDP) | | 2.6% of GDP (2006 est.)
|
Disputes - international | | unruly region at convergence of Argentina-Brazil-Paraguay borders is locus of money laundering, smuggling, arms and illegal narcotics trafficking, and fundraising for extremist organizations; uncontested boundary dispute with Uruguay over Isla Brasilera at the confluence of the Quarai/Cuareim and Invernada rivers, that form a tripoint with Argentina; the Itaipu Dam reservoir covers over a once contested section of Brazil-Paraguay boundary west of Guaira Falls on the Rio Parana; an accord placed the long-disputed Isla Suarez/Ilha de Guajara-Mirim, a fluvial island on the Rio Mamore, under Bolivian administration in 1958, but sovereignty remains in dispute
|
Electricity - production(kWh) | | 438.8 billion kWh (2007 est.)
|
Electricity - production by source(%) | | fossil fuel: 8.3% hydro: 82.7% nuclear: 4.4% other: 4.6% (2001)
|
Electricity - consumption(kWh) | | 404.3 billion kWh (2007 est.)
|
Electricity - exports(kWh) | | 2.034 billion kWh (2007 est.)
|
Electricity - imports(kWh) | | 42.06 billion kWh; note - supplied by Paraguay (2008 est.)
|
Oil - production(bbl/day) | | 2.422 million bbl/day (2008 est.)
|
Oil - consumption(bbl/day) | | 2.52 million bbl/day (2008 est.)
|
Oil - exports(bbl/day) | | 570,100 bbl/day (2007 est.)
|
Oil - imports(bbl/day) | | 632,900 bbl/day (2007 est.)
|
Oil - proved reserves(bbl) | | 12.62 billion bbl (1 January 2009 est.)
|
Natural gas - production(cu m) | | 12.62 billion cu m (2008 est.)
|
Natural gas - consumption(cu m) | | 23.65 billion cu m (2008 est.)
|
Natural gas - exports(cu m) | | 0 cu m (2008)
|
Natural gas - proved reserves(cu m) | | 365 billion cu m (1 January 2009 est.)
|
HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate(%) | | 0.6% (2007 est.)
|
HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS | | 730,000 (2007 est.)
|
HIV/AIDS - deaths | | 15,000 (2007 est.)
|
Literacy(%) | | definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 88.6% male: 88.4% female: 88.8% (2004 est.)
|
School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education)(years) | | total: 14 years male: 14 years female: 15 years (2005)
|
Education expenditures(% of GDP) | | 4% of GDP (2004)
|
|
|