Brazil

Broadcast media

state-run Radiobras operates a radio and a TV network; more than 1,000 radio stations and more than 100 TV channels operating - mostly privately owned; private media ownership highly concentrated (2007)

Internet country code

.br

Internet hosts

26.577 million (2012) country comparison to the world: 3

Internet users

75.982 million (2009) country comparison to the world: 4

Telephone system

general assessment: good working system including an extensive microwave radio relay system and a domestic satellite system with 64 earth stations domestic: fixed-line connections have remained relatively stable in recent years and stand at about 20 per 100 persons; less expensive mobile-cellular technology has been a major driver in expanding telephone service to the lower-income segments of the population with mobile-cellular teledensity roughly 120 per 100 persons international: country code - 55; landing point for a number of submarine cables, including Americas-1, Americas-2, Atlantis-2, GlobeNet, South America-1, South American Crossing/Latin American Nautilus, and UNISUR that provide direct connectivity 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 (2011)

Telephones - main lines in use

43.026 million (2011) country comparison to the world: 6

Telephones - mobile cellular

244.358 million (2011) country comparison to the world: 5

Agriculture - products

coffee, soybeans, wheat, rice, corn, sugarcane, cocoa, citrus; beef

Budget

revenues: $911.4 billion expenditures: $846.6 billion (2012 est.)

Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-)

2.7% of GDP (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 19

Central bank discount rate

7.25% (31 December 2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 20 11% (31 December 2011 est.)

Commercial bank prime lending rate

39.4% (31 December 2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 2 43.88% (31 December 2011 est.)

Current account balance

-$65.13 billion (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 191 -$52.48 billion (2011 est.)

Debt - external

$405.3 billion (31 December 2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 27 $382.5 billion (31 December 2011 est.)

Distribution of family income - Gini index

51.9 (2012) country comparison to the world: 16 60.7 (1998)

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. Since 2003, Brazil has steadily improved its macroeconomic stability, building up foreign reserves, and reducing its debt profile by shifting its debt burden toward real denominated and domestically held instruments. In 2008, Brazil became a net external creditor and two ratings agencies awarded investment grade status to its debt. After strong growth in 2007 and 2008, the onset of the global financial crisis hit Brazil in 2008. Brazil experienced two quarters of recession, as global demand for Brazil's commodity-based exports dwindled and external credit dried up. However, Brazil was one of the first emerging markets to begin a recovery. In 2010, consumer and investor confidence revived and GDP growth reached 7.5%, the highest growth rate in the past 25 years. Rising inflation led the authorities to take measures to cool the economy; these actions and the deteriorating international economic situation slowed growth to 2.7% in 2011, and 1.5% in 2012. Despite slower growth, in 2011 Brazil overtook the United Kingdom as the world's seventh largest economy in terms of GDP. Unemployment is at historic lows and Brazil's traditionally high level of income inequality has declined for each of the last 14 years. Brazil's historically high interest rates have made it an attractive destination for foreign investors. Large capital inflows over the past several years have contributed to the appreciation of the currency, hurting the competitiveness of Brazilian manufacturing and leading the government to intervene in foreign exchanges markets and raise taxes on some foreign capital inflows. President Dilma ROUSSEFF has retained the previous administration's commitment to inflation targeting by the central bank, a floating exchange rate, and fiscal restraint. In an effort to boost growth, in 2012 the administration implemented a series of more expansionary monetary and fiscal policies that have failed to stimulate much growth.

Exchange rates

reals (BRL) per US dollar - 2.1 (2012 est.) 1.675 (2011 est.) 1.7592 (2010 est.) 2 (2009) 1.8644 (2008)

Exports

$256 billion (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 24 $256 billion (2011 est.)

Exports - commodities

transport equipment, iron ore, soybeans, footwear, coffee, autos

Exports - partners

China 17.3%, US 10.1%, Argentina 8.9%, Netherlands 5.3% (2011)

Fiscal year

calendar year

GDP (official exchange rate)

$2.425 trillion (2012 est.)

GDP (purchasing power parity)

$2.362 trillion (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 8 $2.331 trillion (2011 est.) $2.269 trillion (2010 est.) note: data are in 2012 US dollars

GDP - composition by sector

agriculture: 5.4% industry: 27.4% services: 67.2% (2012 est.)

GDP - per capita (PPP)

$12,000 (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 103 $12,000 (2011 est.) $11,700 (2010 est.) note: data are in 2012 US dollars

GDP - real growth rate

1.3% (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 155 2.7% (2011 est.) 7.5% (2010 est.)

Household income or consumption by percentage share

lowest 10%: 0.8% highest 10%: 42.9% (2009 est.)

Imports

$238.8 billion (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 22 $226.2 billion (2011 est.)

Imports - commodities

machinery, electrical and transport equipment, chemical products, oil, automotive parts, electronics

Imports - partners

US 15.1%, China 14.5%, Argentina 7.5%, Germany 6.7%, South Korea 4.5% (2011)

Industrial production growth rate

-0.3% (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 149

Inflation rate (consumer prices)

5.5% (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 152 6.6% (2011 est.)

Investment (gross fixed)

18.9% of GDP (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 112

Labor force

107.1 million (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 6

Labor force - by occupation

agriculture: 20% industry: 14% services: 66% (2003 est.)

Market value of publicly traded shares

$1.229 trillion (31 December 2011) country comparison to the world: 10 $1.546 trillion (31 December 2010) $1.167 trillion (31 December 2009)

Population below poverty line

21.4% (2009 est.)

Public debt

54.9% of GDP (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 54 54.2% of GDP (2011 est.)

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold

$371.1 billion (31 December 2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 6 $352 billion (31 December 2011)

Stock of broad money

$1.878 trillion (30 November 2011 est.) country comparison to the world: 11 $1.826 trillion (31 December 2010 est.)

Stock of direct foreign investment - abroad

$176.7 billion (31 December 2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 24 $171.7 billion (31 December 2011 est.)

Stock of direct foreign investment - at home

$595.9 billion (31 December 2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 14 $539.2 billion (31 December 2011 est.)

Stock of domestic credit

$2.537 trillion (31 December 2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 11 $2.247 trillion (31 December 2011 est.)

Stock of narrow money

$158.3 billion (31 December 2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 23 $152.1 billion (31 December 2011 est.)

Taxes and other revenues

37.6% of GDP (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 59

Unemployment rate

6.2% (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 63 6% (2011 est.)

Carbon dioxide emissions from consumption of energy

453.9 million Mt (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 14

Crude oil - exports

533,200 bbl/day (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 21

Crude oil - imports

412,500 bbl/day (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 20

Crude oil - production

2.633 million bbl/day (2011 est.) country comparison to the world: 12

Crude oil - proved reserves

26 billion bbl (1 January 2013 est.) country comparison to the world: 13

Electricity - consumption

438.3 billion kWh (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 12

Electricity - exports

1.257 billion kWh (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 56

Electricity - from fossil fuels

17.1% of total installed capacity (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 193

Electricity - from hydroelectric plants

74.7% of total installed capacity (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 20

Electricity - from nuclear fuels

1.9% of total installed capacity (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 31

Electricity - from other renewable sources

6.3% of total installed capacity (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 31

Electricity - imports

36.63 billion kWh (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 7

Electricity - installed generating capacity

106.2 million kW (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 11

Electricity - production

489.5 billion kWh (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 11

Natural gas - consumption

26.7 billion cu m (2011 est.) country comparison to the world: 32

Natural gas - exports

0 cu m (2011 est.) country comparison to the world: 166

Natural gas - imports

12.6 billion cu m (2011 est.) country comparison to the world: 23

Natural gas - production

24.07 billion cu m (2011 est.) country comparison to the world: 31

Natural gas - proved reserves

416.9 billion cu m (1 January 2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 34

Refined petroleum products - consumption

2.594 million bbl/day (2011 est.) country comparison to the world: 9

Refined petroleum products - exports

164,300 bbl/day (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 35

Refined petroleum products - imports

325,400 bbl/day (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 21

Refined petroleum products - production

2.008 million bbl/day (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 10

Area

total: 8,514,877 sq km country comparison to the world: 5 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

Area - comparative

slightly smaller than the US

Climate

mostly tropical, but temperate in south

Coastline

7,491 km

Elevation extremes

lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m highest point: Pico da Neblina 2,994 m

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

Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural)

total: 59.3 cu km/yr (20%/18%/62%) per capita: 318 cu m/yr (2000)

Geographic coordinates

10 00 S, 55 00 W

Geography - note

largest country in South America; shares common boundaries with every South American country except Chile and Ecuador

Irrigated land

45,000 sq km (2003)

Land boundaries

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

Land use

arable land: 6.93% permanent crops: 0.89% other: 92.18% (2005)

Location

Eastern South America, bordering the Atlantic Ocean

Map references

South America

Maritime claims

territorial sea: 12 nm contiguous zone: 24 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm continental shelf: 200 nm or to edge of the continental margin

Natural hazards

recurring droughts in northeast; floods and occasional frost in south

Natural resources

bauxite, gold, iron ore, manganese, nickel, phosphates, platinum, tin, rare earth elements, uranium, petroleum, hydropower, timber

Terrain

mostly flat to rolling lowlands in north; some plains, hills, mountains, and narrow coastal belt

Total renewable water resources

8,233 cu km (2000)

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

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 last Sunday in February note: Brazil is divided into three time zones, including one for the Fernando de Noronha Islands

Constitution

5 October 1988

Country name

conventional long form: Federative Republic of Brazil conventional short form: Brazil local long form: Republica Federativa do Brasil local short form: Brasil

Diplomatic representation from the US

chief of mission: Ambassador Thomas A. SHANNON embassy: Avenida das Nacoes, Quadra 801, Lote 3, Distrito Federal Cep 70403-900, Brasilia mailing address: Unit 7500, DPO, AA 34030 telephone: [55] (61) 3312-7000 FAX: [55] (61) 3225-9136 consulate(s) general: Rio de Janeiro, Sao Paulo consulate(s): Recife

Diplomatic representation in the US

chief of mission: Ambassador Mauro Luiz Iecker VIEIRA chancery: 3006 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: [1] (202) 238-2805 FAX: [1] (202) 238-2827 consulate(s) general: Boston, Chicago, Houston, Los Angeles, Miami, New York, San Francisco

Executive branch

chief of state: President Dilma ROUSSEFF (since 1 January 2011); Vice President Michel TEMER (since 1 January 2011); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of government head of government: President Dilma ROUSSEFF (since 1 January 2011); Vice President Michel TEMER (since 1 January 2011) cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the president (For more information visit theWorld Leaders website) elections: president and vice president elected on the same ticket by popular vote for a single four-year term; election last held on 3 October 2010 with runoff on 31 October 2010 (next to be held on 5 October 2014 and, if necessary, a runoff election on 2 November 2014) election results: Dilma ROUSSEFF (PT) elected president in a runoff election; percent of vote - Dilma ROUSSEFF 56.01%, Jose SERRA (PSDB) 43.99%

Flag description

green with a large yellow diamond in the center bearing a blue celestial globe with 27 white five-pointed stars; the globe has a white equatorial band with the motto ORDEM E PROGRESSO (Order and Progress); the current flag was inspired by the banner of the former Empire of Brazil (1822-1889); on the imperial flag, the green represented the House of Braganza of Pedro I, the first Emperor of Brazil, while the yellow stood for the Habsburg Family of his wife; on the modern flag the green represents the forests of the country and the yellow rhombus its mineral wealth; the blue circle and stars, which replaced the coat of arms of the original flag, depict the sky over Rio de Janeiro on the morning of 15 November 1889 - the day the Republic of Brazil was declared; the number of stars has changed with the creation of new states and has risen from an original 21 to the current 27 (one for each state and the Federal District)

Government type

federal republic

Independence

7 September 1822 (from Portugal)

International law organization participation

has not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration; accepts ICCt jurisdiction

International organization participation

AfDB (nonregional member), BIS, BRICS, CAN (associate), CD, CELAC, CPLP, FAO, FATF, G-15, G-20, G-24, G-77, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC (national committees), ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, ITUC (NGOs), LAES, LAIA, LAS (observer), Mercosur, MIGA, MINURSO, MINUSTAH, NAM (observer), NSG, OAS, OECD (Enhanced Engagement, OPANAL, OPCW, Paris Club (associate), PCA, SICA (observer), UN, UNASUR, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNFICYP, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNIFIL, Union Latina, UNISFA, UNITAR, UNMIL, UNMISS, UNMIT, UNOCI, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WFTU (NGOs), WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO

Judicial branch

Supreme Federal Tribunal or STF (11 ministers are appointed for life by the president and confirmed by the Senate); Superior Tribunal of Justice or STJ; Superior Electoral Tribunal or TSE; 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

Legal system

civil law; note - a new civil law code was enacted in 2002 replacing the 1916 code

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 of members 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 on 3 October 2010 for two-thirds of the Senate (next to be held in October 2014 for one-third of the Senate); Chamber of Deputies - last held on 3 October 2010 (next to be held in October 2014) election results: Federal Senate - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - PMDB 20, PT 13, PSDB 10, DEM (formerly PFL) 7, PTdoB 6, PP 5, PDT 4, PR 4, PSB 4, PPS 1, PRB 1, other 3; Chamber of Deputies - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - PT 87, PMDB 80, PSDB 53, DEM (formerly PFL) 43, PP 41, PR 41, PSB 34, PDT 28, PTdoB 21, PSC 17, PCdoB 15, PV 15, PPS 12, other 18

National anthem

name: "Hino Nacional Brasileiro" (Brazilian National Anthem) lyrics/music: Joaquim Osorio Duque ESTRADA/Francisco Manoel DA SILVA note: music adopted 1890, lyrics adopted 1922; the anthem's music, composed in 1822, was used unofficially for many years before it was adopted

National holiday

Independence Day, 7 September (1822)

National symbol(s)

Southern Cross constellation

Political parties and leaders

Brazilian Democratic Movement Party or PMDB [Michel TEMER]; Brazilian Labor Party or PTB [Roberto JEFFERSON]; Brazilian Renewal Labor Party or PRTB [Jose Levy FIDELIX da Cruz]; Brazilian Republican Party or PRB [Vitor Paulo DOS SANTOS]; Brazilian Social Democracy Party or PSDB [Sergio GUERRA]; Brazilian Socialist Party or PSB [Eduardo Henrique Accioly CAMPOS]; Christian Labor Party or PTC [Daniel TOURINHO]; Communist Party of Brazil or PCdoB [Jose Renato RABELO]; Democratic Labor Party or PDT [Carlos Roberto LUPI]; the Democrats or DEM [Jose AGRIPINO] (formerly Liberal Front Party or PFL); Freedom and Socialism Party or PSOL [Ivan VALENTE]; Green Party or PV [Jose Luiz PENNA]; Humanist Party of Solidarity or PHS [Philippe GUEDON]; Labor Party of Brazil or PTdoB [Luis Henrique de Oliveira RESENDE]; National Mobilization Party or PMN [Celso BRANT]; Party of the Republic or PR [Sergio Victor TAMER]; Popular Socialist Party or PPS [Roberto Joao PEREIRA FREIRE]; Progressive Party or PP [Francisco DORNELLES]; Social Christian Party or PSC [Vitor Jorge Abdala NOSSEIS]; Social Democracy Party or PSD [Gilberto KASSAB]; Workers' Party or PT [Rui FALCAO]

Political pressure groups and leaders

Landless Workers' Movement or MST other: industrial federations; labor unions and federations; large farmers' associations; religious groups including evangelical Christian churches and the Catholic Church

Suffrage

voluntary between 16 to under 18 years of age and over 70; compulsory 18 to 70 years of age; note - military conscripts do not vote by law

Background

Following 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 Getulio VARGAS rose to power in 1930. By far the largest and most populous country in South America, Brazil underwent more than a half 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, one of the first in the area to begin an economic recovery. Highly unequal income distribution and crime remain pressing problems.

Manpower available for military service

males age 16-49: 53,350,703 females age 16-49: 53,433,918 (2010 est.)

Manpower fit for military service

males age 16-49: 38,993,989 females age 16-49: 44,841,661 (2010 est.)

Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually

male: 1,733,168 female: 1,672,477 (2010 est.)

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) (2011)

Military expenditures

1.7% of GDP (2009) country comparison to the world: 88

Military service age and obligation

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)

Age structure

0-14 years: 24.7% (male 25,066,889/ female 24,125,185) 15-64 years: 68.2% (male 67,365,021/ female 68,597,919) 65 years and over: 7.1% (male 6,007,524/ female 8,158,875) (2012 est.)

Birth rate

15.2 births/1,000 population (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 132

Children under the age of 5 years underweight

2.2% (2007) country comparison to the world: 110

Death rate

6.5 deaths/1,000 population (July 2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 149

Demographic profile

Brazil's rapid fertility decline since the 1960s is the main factor behind the country's slowing population growth rate, aging population, and fast-paced demographic transition. Brasilia has not taken full advantage of its large working-age population to develop its human capital and strengthen its social and economic institutions. The current favorable age structure will begin to shift around 2025, with the labor force shrinking and the elderly starting to compose an increasing share of the total population. Well-funded public pensions have nearly wiped out poverty among the elderly, but limited social spending on children has restricted investment in education - a primary means of escaping poverty. Brazil's poverty and income inequality levels remain high despite improvements in the 2000s and continue to disproportionately affect the Northeast, North, and Center-West, women, and black, mixed race, and indigenous populations. Disparities in opportunities foster social exclusion and contribute to Brazil's high crime rate, particularly violent crime in cities and favelas. Brazil has traditionally been a net recipient of immigrants, with its southeast being the prime destination. After the importation of African slaves was outlawed in the mid-19th century, Brazil sought Europeans (Italians, Portuguese, Spaniards, and Germans) and later Asians (Japanese) to work in agriculture, especially coffee cultivation. Recent immigrants come mainly from Argentina, Chile, and Andean countries (many are unskilled illegal migrants) or are returning Brazilian nationals. Since Brazil's economic downturn in the 1980s, emigration to the United States, Europe, and Japan has been rising but is negligible relative to Brazil's total population. The majority of these emigrants are well-educated and middle-class. Fewer Brazilian peasants are emigrating to neighboring countries to take up agricultural work.

Education expenditures

5% of GDP (2007) country comparison to the world: 59

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)

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate

NA

HIV/AIDS - deaths

NA

HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS

NA

Health expenditures

9% of GDP (2009) country comparison to the world: 44

Hospital bed density

2.4 beds/1,000 population (2009)

Infant mortality rate

total: 20.5 deaths/1,000 live births country comparison to the world: 93 male: 23.9 deaths/1,000 live births female: 16.9 deaths/1,000 live births (2012 est.)

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

Life expectancy at birth

total population: 72.79 years country comparison to the world: 124 male: 69.24 years female: 76.53 years (2012 est.)

Literacy

definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 88.6% male: 88.4% female: 88.8% (2004 est.)

Major cities - population

Sao Paulo 19.96 million; Rio de Janeiro 11.836 million; Belo Horizonte 5.736 million; Porto Alegre 4.034 million; BRASILIA (capital) 3.789 million (2009)

Maternal mortality rate

56 deaths/100,000 live births (2010) country comparison to the world: 104

Median age

total: 29.6 years male: 28.8 years female: 30.5 years (2012 est.)

Nationality

noun: Brazilian(s) adjective: Brazilian

Net migration rate

-0.09 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 120

Obesity - adult prevalence rate

11.1% (2003) country comparison to the world: 52

Physicians density

1.72 physicians/1,000 population (2007)

Population

199,321,413 (July 2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 5

Population growth rate

0.86% (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 131

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)

Sanitation facility access

improved: urban: 87% of population rural: 37% of population total: 80% of population unimproved: urban: 13% of population rural: 63% of population total: 20% of population

School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education)

total: 14 years male: 14 years female: 14 years (2008)

Sex ratio

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: 0.74 male(s)/female total population: 0.98 male(s)/female (2011 est.)

Total fertility rate

1.82 children born/woman (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 153

Unemployment, youth ages 15-24

total: 17.8% country comparison to the world: 65 male: 13.9% female: 23.1% (2009)

Urbanization

urban population: 87% of total population (2010) rate of urbanization: 1.1% annual rate of change (2010-15 est.)

Disputes - international

uncontested boundary dispute between Brazil and Uruguay over Braziliera/Brasiliera Island in the Quarai/Cuareim River leaves the tripoint with Argentina in question; smuggling of firearms and narcotics continues to be an issue along the Uruguay-Brazil border; Colombian-organized illegal narcotics and paramilitary activities penetrate Brazil's border region with Venezuela

Illicit drugs

second-largest consumer of cocaine in the world; illicit producer of cannabis; trace amounts of coca cultivation in the Amazon region, used for domestic consumption; government has a large-scale eradication program to control cannabis; important transshipment country for Bolivian, Colombian, and Peruvian cocaine headed for Europe; also used by traffickers as a way station for narcotics air transshipments between Peru and Colombia; upsurge in drug-related violence and weapons smuggling; important market for Colombian, Bolivian, and Peruvian cocaine; illicit narcotics proceeds are often laundered through the financial system; significant illicit financial activity in the Tri-Border Area (2008)

Airports

4,105 (2012) country comparison to the world: 2

Airports - with paved runways

total: 713 over 3,047 m: 7 2,438 to 3,047 m: 28 1,524 to 2,437 m: 174 914 to 1,523 m: 449 under 914 m: 55 (2012)

Airports - with unpaved runways

total: 3,392 1,524 to 2,437 m: 91 914 to 1,523 m: 1,648 under 914 m: 1,653 (2012)

Heliports

13 (2012)

Merchant marine

total: 109 country comparison to the world: 50 by type: bulk carrier 18, cargo 16, chemical tanker 7, container 13, liquefied gas 11, petroleum tanker 39, roll on/roll off 5 foreign-owned: 27 (Chile 1, Denmark 3, Germany 6, Greece 1, Norway 3, Spain 12, Turkey 1) registered in other countries: 36 (Argentina 1, Bahamas 1, Ghana 1, Liberia 20, Marshall Islands 1, Panama 3, Singapore 9) (2010)

Pipelines

condensate/gas 62 km; gas 13,514 km; liquid petroleum gas 352 km; oil 3,729 km; refined products 4,684 km (2010)

Ports and terminals

cargo ports (tonnage): Ilha Grande (Gebig), Paranagua, Rio Grande, Santos, Sao Sebastiao, Tubarao container ports (TEUs): Santos (2,677,839), Itajai (693,580) oil terminals: DTSE/Gegua oil terminal, Guaiba Island terminal, Guamare oil terminal

Railways

total: 28,538 km country comparison to the world: 10 broad gauge: 5,627 km 1.600-m gauge (467 km electrified) standard gauge: 194 km 1.440-m gauge narrow gauge: 22,717 km 1.000-m gauge (2008)

Roadways

total: 1,580,964 km country comparison to the world: 4 paved: 212,798 km unpaved: 1,368,166 km note: does not include urban roads (2010)

Transportation - note

the International Maritime Bureau reports that the territorial and offshore waters in the Atlantic Ocean remain a significant risk for piracy and armed robbery against ships; 2010 saw an 80% increase in attacks over 2009; numerous commercial vessels were attacked and hijacked both at anchor and while underway; crews were robbed and stores or cargoes stolen

Waterways

50,000 km (most in areas remote from industry and population) (2012) country comparison to the world: 3