Brazil
Brazil is the largest country in South America and the 7th most populous nation globally. Current estimates show a population of approximately 214 million people with a projected GDP per capita of 11,028 USD.
Where is Brazil?
Brazil
- Continent
- Americas
- Country
- Brazil
- Coordinates
- -10.00°, -55.00°
Population Details
- Population
- 214M
- Area
- 8,515,767 km²
- Density per km²
- 25 / km²
- Growth rate
- +0.41%
- Annual growth
- +866.6K people
- Daily growth
- +2.4K people
- World population share
- 2.63%
Population & Social Snapshot
Age structure, urbanization, and benchmark indicators for Brazil
Age Distribution
Urbanization
Health & Education Benchmarks
Quick Facts
- Capital
- Brasília
- Region
- Americas
- Area
- 8,515,767 km²
- Languages
- Portuguese
- Currency
- Brazilian real (R$)
- Timezones
- UTC-05:00, UTC-04:00, UTC-03:00, UTC-02:00
- UN Member
- Yes
Economy
With a nominal GDP ranking 10th globally and 3rd in the Americas, the economy is bolstered by robust agribusiness, mining, and manufacturing sectors. Recent data shows annual GDP growth of 3.4% and an unemployment rate of 5.97%, which ranks 78th globally. The nation leverages vast natural resources like iron ore and petroleum to maintain its position as the 5th-ranked country for GDP per capita in South America.
Society
Social indicators highlight significant progress, with the adult literacy rate reaching 94.7% and life expectancy at birth standing at 76.0 years. The country ranks 97th globally for life expectancy and 79th for literacy, reflecting long-term investments in public health and education. Furthermore, digital connectivity is high, as 84.5% of the population uses the internet, placing the nation 88th in the global ranking for internet penetration.
Climate & Environment
Brazil features a predominantly tropical climate, with the massive Amazon Basin maintaining high humidity and temperatures throughout the year. The southern regions experience more temperate conditions, including distinct seasonal variations and occasional frost during the winter months.
Government & Politics
- Government Type
- Federal presidential republic
- Independence
- 1822-09-07 (Portugal)
Brazil is a federal presidential republic where the president serves as both the head of state and head of government. The political structure is defined by the 1988 Constitution, which established a clear separation of powers between the executive, legislative, and judicial branches. The legislative branch consists of the bicameral National Congress, comprising the 81-seat Federal Senate and the 513-seat Chamber of Deputies. One of the unique aspects of the Brazilian system is mandatory voting for literate citizens between the ages of 18 and 70. The nation is a federation of 26 states and one Federal District, Brasília, which serves as the capital. The judiciary is headed by the Supreme Federal Court, which is responsible for constitutional matters. The political landscape is characterized by a multi-party system that often requires the formation of broad coalitions to govern effectively, reflecting the diverse interests of its population of approximately 212 million people.
History
Portuguese explorer Pedro Álvares Cabral arrived in 1500, marking the beginning of over 3 centuries of colonial rule. During this period, Brazil became the center of the global sugar trade and later experienced a massive gold rush that shifted the economic heart of the colony southward. Unlike many of its neighbors, Brazil achieved independence with relatively little bloodshed when Prince Dom Pedro I declared it an independent empire on 7 September 1822. The Empire of Brazil lasted until 1889, during which time it saw the gradual abolition of slavery, culminating in the Golden Law of 1888. A military coup subsequently replaced the monarchy with a republican government. The 20th century was marked by periods of political transition, including the populist era of Getúlio Vargas and a military dictatorship that lasted from 1964 to 1985. The return to civilian rule led to the adoption of the 1988 Constitution, which remains the foundation of its modern democracy. Since then, Brazil has transitioned from a primarily agrarian economy to a global industrial and agricultural leader, overcoming hyperinflation in the 1990s and expanding its influence in international affairs as a prominent member of the BRICS nations and the G20.
Notable Facts
- Brazil is home to the Amazon Rainforest, which contains approximately 60% of the world's most biodiverse tropical forest and the massive Amazon River system.
- The country shares a land border with 10 different nations, touching every country in South America except for Chile and Ecuador.
- Brazil is the most successful nation in FIFA World Cup history, having won the global championship 5 times.
- The annual Carnival of Rio de Janeiro is recognized as the largest street festival in the world, attracting millions of local and international participants.
- Brasília, the capital city, was built in just 41 months during the late 1950s and is a UNESCO World Heritage site famous for its modernist architecture designed by Oscar Niemeyer.
Geography
- Highest Point
- Pico da Neblina (2,994 m)
- Lowest Point
- Atlantic Ocean (0 m)
- Coastline
- 7,491 km
Major Cities
Largest Cities in BrazilExplore weather and climate data for cities in Brazil
Climate & Weather
View full climate guideMonthly averages for Brasília
| Month | Temp | Feels Like | Rain | Sun | Humidity | Status | Details |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 26°C / 19°C | 29°C / 20°C | 24days (231 mm) Wet | 9.9h Good | 79% Humid | Wet | View Details |
| February | 27°C / 19°C | 30°C / 20°C | 20days (212 mm) Wet | 9.8h Good | 78% Humid | Wet | View Details |
| March | 27°C / 18°C | 30°C / 20°C | 18days (143 mm) Wet | 10.4h Excellent | 75% Muggy | Good | View Details |
| April | 27°C / 18°C | 29°C / 19°C | 13days (99 mm) Wet | 10.5h Excellent | 76% Humid | Good | View Details |
| May best | 26°C / 15°C | 27°C / 15°C | 1days (4 mm) Excellent | 10.7h Excellent | 67% Muggy | Excellent | View Details |
| June best | 26°C / 15°C | 26°C / 14°C | 1days (3 mm) Excellent | 10.5h Excellent | 61% Muggy | Excellent | View Details |
| July best | 26°C / 14°C | 25°C / 12°C | 0days (0 mm) Excellent | 10.8h Excellent | 51% Moderate | Excellent | View Details |
| August best | 28°C / 16°C | 27°C / 14°C | 1days (6 mm) Excellent | 11h Excellent | 45% Moderate | Excellent | View Details |
| September best | 31°C / 18°C | 30°C / 17°C | 3days (12 mm) Excellent | 11.5h Excellent | 42% Moderate | Excellent | View Details |
| October | 29°C / 19°C | 31°C / 20°C | 16days (107 mm) Wet | 10.9h Excellent | 61% Muggy | Good | View Details |
| November | 27°C / 19°C | 30°C / 20°C | 21days (200 mm) Wet | 10h Excellent | 75% Muggy | Wet | View Details |
| December | 27°C / 19°C | 29°C / 21°C | 24days (243 mm) Wet | 9.3h Good | 78% Humid | Wet | View Details |
Temperature
Line chart showing monthly temperatures. Jan: 26°C / 19°C . Feb: 27°C / 19°C . Mar: 27°C / 18°C . Apr: 27°C / 18°C . May: 26°C / 15°C . Jun: 26°C / 15°C . Jul: 26°C / 14°C . Aug: 28°C / 16°C . Sep: 31°C / 18°C . Oct: 29°C / 19°C . Nov: 27°C / 19°C . Dec: 27°C / 19°C .
Rainfall
Bar chart showing monthly rainfall. Jan: 231 mm. Feb: 212 mm. Mar: 143 mm. Apr: 99 mm. May: 4 mm. Jun: 3 mm. Jul: 0 mm. Aug: 6 mm. Sep: 12 mm. Oct: 107 mm. Nov: 200 mm. Dec: 243 mm.
Frequently Asked Questions
The population of Brazil is approximately 214M (2024).
The capital of Brazil is Brasília.
Brazil's GDP per capita is $11K (2024).
Life expectancy in Brazil is 76.02 years (2024).
Brazil covers 8,515,767 km² (3,287,955 sq mi).
Brazil is sparsely populated, averaging 25 people per km², below the global average of 60.
Brazil's population is growing slowly at 0.4% per year, below the global average.
Based on GDP per capita, Brazil falls in the upper-middle GDP-per-person tier at $11K. Official World Bank income groups use Atlas-method GNI per capita, so this is a GDP-based comparison rather than an official income-group label.
Brazil's intentional homicide rate is 19.3 per 100,000 people, above the global average.
The official language of Brazil is Portuguese.
Brazil uses the Brazilian real (R$) as its sole official currency.
The best months to visit Brazil are May, June, July, August, September, based on climate data for the capital.
Brazil has a population of approximately 214 million people, making it the most populous country in South America and the 2nd most populous in the Americas. Recent data ranks the nation 7th globally in terms of total population, reflecting a steady annual growth rate of approximately 0.41%.
Brazil holds the 10th largest economy in the world based on nominal GDP and is the 3rd largest in the Americas. Recent data indicates a GDP per capita of 11,028 USD and an annual growth rate of 3.4%, supported by diverse sectors such as agribusiness, mining, and manufacturing.
The adult literacy rate in Brazil is approximately 94.7%, which places the country 79th in global literacy rankings. This figure reflects sustained efforts in expanding access to basic education across both urban and rural regions, supported by federal and state-level social programs and educational infrastructure investments.
Current estimates show that life expectancy at birth in Brazil is 76.0 years, which ranks the country 97th globally for this indicator. Improvements in public health infrastructure and access to medical services have contributed to this figure, which remains higher than the regional average for several neighboring South American nations.
Approximately 84.5% of the population uses the internet, a figure that ranks the nation 88th globally for digital connectivity. This high level of internet penetration is driven by widespread mobile device adoption and significant urban concentration, as nearly 87.9% of citizens live in cities.
The unemployment rate in Brazil is currently 5.97%, which ranks the country 78th globally when ordered from lowest to highest unemployment. This recent data indicates a relatively stable labor market compared to historical trends, supported by growth in the services sector and robust international commodity exports.
Brazil covers an area of approximately 8.5 million km² (3.3 million sq mi), making it the largest nation in South America. Its highest point is Pico da Neblina, which reaches an elevation of 2,994 m (9,823 ft) near the northern border with Venezuela.
Brazil currently ranks 7th of 215 countries globally. Within its geographic region, it is the 2nd most populous country in the Americas and the 1st most populous in South America. This high ranking underscores Brazil's role as a major global demographic power and the dominant population center in its region.
The population density is currently estimated at 25.6 people per km² (66.3 people per sq mi). This ranks Brazil 180th globally, as its massive land area of 8,515,767 km² (3,287,956 sq mi) includes vast, sparsely inhabited regions like the Amazon, while most people live in dense coastal cities.
Brazil's population is still growing, but at a decreasing rate. The latest annual growth rate is 0.41%, which is significantly lower than in previous decades. While the population is expected to reach 214 million by 2026, the declining fertility rate suggests it will eventually stabilize and potentially begin a slow decline later this century.
The current fertility rate in Brazil is 1.6 births per woman, which is below the replacement level of 2.1. This ranks Brazil 134th globally for fertility. The rate has dropped consistently since the 1960s, driven by urbanization and increased access to education and family planning for women.
Approximately 87.9% of Brazil's population resides in urban areas, ranking it 39th globally for urbanization. This high percentage reflects a rapid 20th-century shift from agriculture to industry and services, resulting in a population that is heavily concentrated in large metropolitan regions like São Paulo and Rio de Janeiro.
All Indicators
Explore Brazil's data across 50+ indicators
Demographics
Economy
Health
Education
Environment
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Geography
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