Factbook dossier
Background
After 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 Get lio VARGAS rose to power in 1930. VARGAS governed through various versions of democratic and authoritarian regimes from 1930 to 1945. Democratic rule returned in 1945 -- including a democratically elected VARGAS administration from 1951 to 1954 -- and lasted until 1964, when the military overthrew President Jo o GOULART. The military regime censored journalists and repressed and tortured dissidents in the late 1960s and early 1970s. The dictatorship lasted until 1985, when the military regime peacefully ceded power to civilian rulers, and the Brazilian Congress passed its current constitution in 1988. By far the largest and most populous country in South America, 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 soon seen as one of the world's strongest emerging markets and a contributor to global growth under President Luiz In cio LULA da Silva (2003-2010). The awarding of the 2014 FIFA World Cup and 2016 Summer Olympic Games -- the first ever to be held in South America -- to Brazil was symbolic of the country's rise. However, from about 2013 to 2016, Brazil was plagued by a sagging economy…
Location
Eastern South America, bordering the Atlantic Ocean
Area
total : 8,515,770 sq km land: 8,358,140 sq km water: 157,630 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
Natural resources
alumina, bauxite, beryllium, gold, iron ore, manganese, nickel, niobium, phosphates, platinum, tantalum, tin, rare earth elements, uranium, petroleum, hydropower, timber
Natural hazards
recurring droughts in northeast; floods and occasional frost in south
Population
total: 221,359,387 (2025 est.) male: 108,753,532 female: 112,605,855
Ethnic groups
mixed 45.3%, White 43.5%, Black 10.2%, Indigenous 0.6%, Asian 0.4% (2022 est.)
Languages
Portuguese (official and most widely spoken language); less common languages include Spanish (border areas and schools), German, Italian, Japanese, English, and many minor Amerindian languages major-language sample(s): O Livro de Fatos Mundiais, a fonte indispens vel para informa o b sica. (Brazilian Portuguese) The World Factbook, the indispensable source for basic information.
Religions
Roman Catholic 56.8%, Evangelical 26.9%, none 9.3%, other 4%, Spirtism (Esp rita) 1.8%, unspecified 1.4%, Umbanda and Candombl 1.1%, Indigenous religions .06%, undeclared 0.2% (2022)
Environmental issues
deforestation in Amazon Basin; illegal wildlife trade; illegal poaching; air and water pollution in Rio de Janeiro, Sao Paulo, and other large cities; land degradation and water pollution from mining; wetland degradation; oil spills
Government type
federal presidential republic
Capital
name: Bras lia geographic coordinates: 15 47 S, 47 55 W time difference: UTC-3 (2 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time) time zone note: Brazil has four time zones, including one for the Fernando de Noronha Islands etymology: the name is the Latinized form of the country name, bestowed on the new capital of Brazil in 1960; previous Brazilian capitals were Salvador (1549-1763) and Rio de Janeiro (1763 to 1960)
Executive branch
chief of state: President Luiz In cio LULA da Silva (since 1 January 2023) head of government: President Luiz In cio LULA da Silva (since 1 January 2023) cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the president election/appointment process: president and vice president directly elected on the same ballot by absolute-majority popular vote in 2 rounds, if needed, for a 4-year term (eligible for a single consecutive term and additional terms after at least one term has elapsed) most recent election date: 2 October 2022, with runoff on 30 October 2022 election results: 2022: Luiz In cio LULA da Silva elected president in second round; percent of vote in first round - Luiz In cio LULA da Silva (PT) 48.4%, Jair BOLSONARO (PSL) 43.2%, Simone Nassar TEBET (MDB) 4.2%, Ciro GOMES (PDT) 3%, other 1.2%; percent of vote in second round - Luiz In cio LULA da Silva (PT) 50.9%, Jair BOLSONARO (PSL) 49.1% 2018: Jair BOLSONARO elected president in second round; percent of vote in first round - Jair BOLSONARO (PSL) 46%, Fernando HADDAD (PT) 29.3%, Ciro GOMEZ (PDT) 12.5%, Geraldo ALCKMIN (PSDB) 4.8%, other 7.4%; percent of vote in second round - Jair BOLSONARO (PSL) 55.1%, Fernando HADDAD (PT) 44.9% expected date of next election: 4 October 2026 note: the president is both chief of state and head of government
Legislative branch
legislature name: National Congress (Congresso nacional) legislative structure: bicameral
Real GDP (purchasing power parity)
$4.165 trillion (2024 est.) $4.029 trillion (2023 est.) $3.902 trillion (2022 est.) note: data in 2021 dollars
Real GDP per capita
$19,600 (2024 est.) $19,100 (2023 est.) $18,600 (2022 est.) note: data in 2021 dollars
Inflation rate (consumer prices)
4.4% (2024 est.) 4.6% (2023 est.) 9.3% (2022 est.) note: annual % change based on consumer prices
Exports - partners
China 30%, USA 10%, Argentina 5%, Netherlands 3%, Chile 2% (2023) note: top five export partners based on percentage share of exports
Imports - partners
China 23%, USA 16%, Germany 5%, Argentina 5%, Russia 4% (2023) note: top five import partners based on percentage share of imports
Military and security forces
Brazilian Armed Forces (For as Armadas Brasileiras): Brazilian Army (Exercito Brasileiro, EB), Brazilian Navy (Marinha do Brasil; includes Naval Aviation (Aviacao Naval Brasileira) and Marine Corps (Corpo de Fuzileiros Navais)), Brazilian Air Force (Forca Aerea Brasileira) (2025) note: the three national police forces the Federal Police, Federal Highway Police, and Federal Railway Police have domestic security responsibilities and report to the Ministry of Justice and Public Security (Ministry of Justice)
Military expenditures
1.1% of GDP (2024 est.) 1.1% of GDP (2023 est.) 1.2% of GDP (2022 est.) 1.3% of GDP (2021 est.) 1.4% of GDP (2020 est.)