Country Profile: Brazil

Brazil is the largest and most populous country in South America, gaining independence from Portugal in 1822. Its geographic landscape is predominantly flat to rolling lowlands, with climate zones ranging from tropical to temperate. The nation has a diverse population of over 220 million people, primarily concentrated along the Atlantic coast, with a multidimensional economy that heavily relies on domestic consumption and is characterized by high levels of inequality. Governed as a federal presidential republic, Brazil has a rich political history marked by periods of both democracy and authoritarianism.

Geography

Brazil is located in Eastern South America, bordered by the Atlantic Ocean. It covers an area of approximately 8,515,770 sq km, making it slightly smaller than the United States. The country features a diverse terrain, including the Amazon rainforest and the world's largest tropical wetland, the Pantanal. Brazil shares land boundaries with every South American country except Chile and Ecuador.

Coastline: 7,491 km
Major rivers: The Amazon River is among the longest globally, spanning approximately 6,400 km.
Elevation: The highest point is Pico da Neblina at 2,994 m.
Natural resources: Includes alumina, gold, iron ore, and petroleum.
Climate: Predominantly tropical, with temperate regions in the south.

People and Society

Brazil's population is estimated at 220,051,512 for 2024, with a life expectancy of 76.3 years. The society is ethnically diverse, with mixed, White, Black, Indigenous, and Asian communities. Portuguese is the official language, while Roman Catholicism is the predominant religion, followed by Evangelicals and others. The urban population accounts for 87.8% of the total, primarily concentrated in southeastern cities like São Paulo and Rio de Janeiro.

Median age: 35.1 years (2024 est.)
Literacy rate: 94.8% (2024 est.)
Urbanization rate: 0.87% annual growth (2020-2025 est.)
Population growth rate: 0.61% (2024 est.)
Ethnic composition: Mixed (45.3%), White (43.5%), Black (10.2%).

Economy

Brazil boasts the largest economy in Latin America, classified as upper-middle-income. Its GDP (purchasing power parity) is estimated at $4.165 trillion for 2024, with a growth rate of 3.4%. The economy is driven by domestic consumption and services, though it faces challenges such as high inequality and inflation. Agricultural products like soybeans, maize, and sugarcane are key contributors to exports.

GDP per capita: $19,600 (2024 est.)
Unemployment rate: 7.7% (2024 est.)
Public Debt: 83% of GDP (2023 est.)
Exports: Estimated at $388.333 billion (2024 est.), with China as the largest partner at 30%.
Inflation rate: 4.4% (2024 est.).

Government

Brazil functions as a federal presidential republic, with a constitution ratified in 1988. The capital is Brasília, established in 1960. The executive branch is led by President Luiz Inácio LULA da Silva, who took office on January 1, 2023. The National Congress is bicameral, consisting of the Chamber of Deputies and the Federal Senate.

Administrative divisions: 26 states and 1 federal district.
Voting: Compulsory for citizens aged 18 to 70; voluntary for those aged 16-18.
Political parties: Includes the Brazilian Workers' Party (PT) and Liberal Party (PL).

Military and Security

Brazil maintains a substantial military presence with approximately 360,000 active personnel, divided among the Army, Navy, and Air Force. The military's budget accounts for 1.1% of GDP. Brazil also has three national police forces focused on domestic security.

Military service: Mandatory for men aged 18-45; women are exempt.
Military inventories: Comprises both domestically produced and imported equipment, primarily from Europe and the US.
Non-NATO Ally status: Brazil is recognized as a major non-NATO ally by the US.

Energy

Brazil achieves nearly universal electrification, with 100% of the population having access to electricity. The country's energy mix is predominantly based on hydroelectricity, with substantial investments in renewable sources such as wind and solar power.

Installed capacity: 240.251 million kW (2023 est.)
Electricity consumption: 608.451 billion kWh (2023 est.).
Renewables: Hydroelectric power comprises 60.2% of total capacity.

Environment

Brazil faces significant environmental challenges, including deforestation in the Amazon, illegal wildlife trade, and pollution in major cities. The country is a party to multiple international environmental agreements aimed at addressing these issues.

Deforestation: A critical issue impacting the Amazon Basin.
Emissions: Total carbon dioxide emissions are estimated at 437.769 million metric tonnes (2023 est.).
Water resources: Total renewable water resources estimated at 8.647 trillion cubic meters (2022 est.).

Transportation

Brazil has an extensive transportation network, including 5,297 airports and a merchant marine fleet of 888 vessels. The railway system spans approximately 29,849.9 km, facilitating goods transport across the country.

Major ports: 45 in total, with key ports including Santos and Rio de Janeiro.
Public transport: Includes state-owned and private services with a growing focus on infrastructure improvements.

Communications

The communications sector in Brazil is well-developed, with 213 million mobile subscriptions and a high internet user rate of 84% of the population. The country has a mix of state-run and privately owned broadcasting media.

Internet country code: .br
Broadband subscriptions: Approximately 48.4 million (2023 est.).
Fixed-line subscriptions: 25.574 million (2023 est.).

Key Metrics

Metric	Value	Note
Population	220,051,512 (2024 est.)
Area (total)	8,515,770 sq km
GDP (PPP)	$4.165 trillion (2024)
GDP per capita	$19,600 (2024 est.)
Unemployment rate	7.7% (2024 est.)
Electricity access	100%	As of 2022
Life expectancy	76.3 years (2024 est.)
Urban population	87.8% (2023)
Infant mortality rate	12.9 deaths/1,000 births (2024 est.)
Literacy rate	94.8% (2024 est.)