Country Profile: Brazil

Brazil, the largest country in South America, boasts a diverse geography characterized by vast rainforests, extensive river systems, and a lengthy coastline along the Atlantic Ocean. With an estimated population of over 221 million people in 2025, it is a multi-ethnic society where Portuguese is the official language. Economically, Brazil is recognized as an upper-middle-income country and possesses the largest economy in Latin America, driven primarily by domestic consumption and a rich array of natural resources. Its governance is structured as a federal presidential republic, and the nation has experienced significant political shifts throughout its history, including the recent election of President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva.

Geography

Brazil is located in Eastern South America and borders the Atlantic Ocean. It has a total area of approximately 8,515,770 sq km, making it slightly smaller than the United States. The terrain is mostly flat to rolling lowlands in the north, with several major rivers including the Amazon, which is the second-longest river in the world.

7,491 km of coastline.
16,145 km of land boundaries with 10 neighboring countries.
Highest point: Pico da Neblina at 2,994 m.
58.9% of the land is forested.

People and Society

Brazil has a diverse population estimated at 221,359,387 in 2025, with a median age of 35.4 years. The society is multicultural, with mixed ethnic backgrounds including 45.3% mixed race, 43.5% white, and 10.2% black. Portuguese is the most widely spoken language and the predominant religion is Roman Catholicism.

87.8% of the population is urbanized.
94.8% literacy rate as of 2024.
19.6% of the population is aged 0-14 years.
Estimated 13.04 births/1,000 population in 2025.

Economy

As the largest economy in Latin America, Brazil is classified as an upper-middle-income country. In 2024, its real GDP (PPP) is estimated at $4.165 trillion with a growth rate of 3.4%. The economy is fueled by strong domestic consumption and a diverse industrial base, though it faces challenges such as high inequality and inflation.

7.7% unemployment rate in 2024.
5.6% of GDP allocated to education expenditure in 2022.
Agricultural sector contributes 5.6% of GDP in 2024.
51.6 Gini Index coefficient indicating high income inequality (2023).

Government

Brazil operates as a federal presidential republic, with the capital in Brasília. The country has 26 states and one federal district, and its current constitution was ratified in 1988. The president is both the chief of state and head of government, with elections occurring every four years.

President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva took office on January 1, 2023.
The National Congress is bicameral, comprising the Chamber of Deputies and the Federal Senate.
Citizens vote from age 16, and voting is compulsory between 18-70.

Military and Security

The Brazilian Armed Forces consist of the Army, Navy, and Air Force, totaling approximately 360,000 active personnel as of 2025. With a military expenditure of 1.1% of GDP, Brazil plays a crucial role in regional security and participates in international peacekeeping missions.

Military service is compulsory for men aged 18-45.
Women represent about 10% of the military.
The armed forces are the second largest in the Western Hemisphere after the US.

Energy

Brazil has achieved 100% electricity access for its population and is a global leader in renewable energy, particularly hydroelectric power, which contributes 60.2% of its installed capacity. The total installed generating capacity stands at approximately 240.251 million kW.

Total energy consumption per capita in 2023 was 48.889 million Btu.
22.702 billion cubic meters of natural gas produced in 2023.
Brazil consumed 608.451 billion kWh of electricity in 2023.

Environment

The country faces environmental challenges such as deforestation in the Amazon, pollution, and wildlife trade. Brazil is active in international environmental agreements and is committed to addressing climate change while promoting sustainable development.

Forests cover 58.9% of the land area (2023).
437.769 million metric tonnes of CO2 emissions as of 2023.
2.8% of municipal solid waste recycled (2022).

Transportation

Brazil's transportation infrastructure includes 5,297 airports and nearly 30,000 km of railways, facilitating both domestic and international travel. The country has a robust merchant marine fleet comprising 888 vessels.

48.4 million fixed broadband subscriptions in 2023.
More than 216 million mobile cellular subscriptions (2024).
Key ports include Santos and Rio de Janeiro.

Communications

Brazil boasts a high level of mobile and internet connectivity, with 84% of the population being internet users in 2023. The nation's communication landscape is dominated by privately owned media, though it has state-run broadcasting as well.

22.5 million fixed-line subscriptions (2024).
48.4 million broadband subscriptions (2023).
Over 1,000 radio stations and 100 TV channels operate in the country.

Key Metrics

Metric	Value	Note
Population	221,359,387 (2025 est.)
Area	8,515,770 sq km
GDP (PPP)	$4.165 trillion (2024 est.)
Energy Consumption	608.451 billion kWh (2023)
Unemployment Rate	7.7% (2024 est.)
Birth Rate	13.04 births/1,000 population (2025 est.)
Literacy Rate	94.8% (2024 est.)
Total Fertility Rate	1.73 children born/woman (2025 est.)
Military Expenditure	1.1% of GDP (2024 est.)
Urban Population	87.8% (2023)