Country Profile: Brazil

Brazil, the largest country in South America, boasts a diverse geography that includes rainforest, plains, and a vast coastline. With a population exceeding 220 million and a rich cultural tapestry, it reflects a blend of various ethnic groups, primarily Portuguese, Indigenous, and African descent. Brazil's economy is the largest in Latin America, characterized by strong domestic consumption and significant natural resources like agriculture and minerals. The governance is rooted in a federal presidential republic, with political stability occasionally challenged by economic issues and corruption scandals.

Geography

Brazil is located in Eastern South America, bordered by the Atlantic Ocean, with diverse terrain ranging from flat lowlands to mountains. It has a total area of 8,515,770 sq km, making it slightly smaller than the United States.

7,491 km of coastline along the Atlantic Ocean.
The highest point is Pico da Neblina at 2,994 m.
The Amazon River, the longest river in Brazil, runs for 6,400 km.
It shares borders with 10 countries, every South American nation except Chile and Ecuador.

People and Society

Brazil's estimated population is 220,051,512 in 2024, with a median age of 35.1 years. The society is characterized by a mix of ethnicities, with the largest groups being mixed (45.3%) and White (43.5%). Urbanization is high, with 87.8% of the population residing in urban areas.

Portuguese is the official language.
52.8% of the population identifies as Roman Catholic.
The birth rate is 13.2 births/1,000 population (2024).
Life expectancy at birth is 76.3 years.
69.5% of the population is aged between 15 and 64 years.

Economy

Brazil's economy is classified as upper-middle-income, with a GDP (PPP) projected at $4.165 trillion in 2024. The economy is diverse, with key contributions from agriculture, industry, and services.

3.4% GDP growth rate expected in 2024.
Unemployment rate was 7.7% in 2024.
Agriculture comprises 5.6% of GDP, while services account for 59.3%.
Major exports include soybeans and crude petroleum.
Approximately 4.2% of the population lived below the poverty line in 2016.

Government

Brazil operates as a federal presidential republic, with the capital located in Brasília. The current president is Luiz Inácio LULA da Silva, having assumed office on January 1, 2023.

Brazil has 26 states and 1 federal district.
The current constitution was ratified on October 5, 1988.
The legislative structure is bicameral, consisting of the Chamber of Deputies and the Federal Senate.
Voting is compulsory for citizens aged 18 to 70.

Military and Security

The Brazilian Armed Forces include the Army, Navy, and Air Force, with approximately 360,000 active personnel as of 2025. The military plays a role in both external defense and internal security.

Military expenditures are expected to be 1.1% of GDP for 2024.
Brazil has Major Non-NATO Ally (MNNA) status with the US.
Compulsory military service is required for men aged 18-45.

Energy

Brazil has a diverse energy mix, with 100% electrification nationally and a significant reliance on hydroelectric power, which comprises 60.2% of total installed capacity.

Total electricity consumption was 608.451 billion kWh in 2023.
Approximately 22.294 billion kWh imported in 2023.
Brazil’s total petroleum production is 4.221 million bbl/day.

Environment

Brazil faces several environmental challenges, including deforestation in the Amazon and water pollution in urban areas. It is party to multiple international environmental agreements.

59.1% of land is covered by forests (2022).
Major environmental issues include illegal wildlife trade and land degradation from mining activities.
Urban population constitutes 87.8% of the total population (2023).

Transportation

Brazil has an extensive transport network, including 5,297 airports and 29,849.9 km of railways.

The military's inventory consists of both domestically produced and imported equipment.
Key ports include Santos, Rio de Janeiro, and Salvador.

Communications

Brazil has a well-developed telecommunications infrastructure with a significant number of mobile and fixed-line subscriptions.

213 million mobile cellular subscriptions in 2023.
84% of the population were internet users in 2023.
Over 1,000 radio stations and 100 TV channels operate in the country.

Key Metrics

Metric	Value	Note
Population	220,051,512	2024 est.
Area	8,515,770 sq km	Total area
GDP (PPP)	$4.165 trillion	2024 est.
Unemployment Rate	7.7%	2024 est.
Birth Rate	13.2 births/1,000	2024 est.
Life Expectancy	76.3 years	2024 est.
Urban Population	87.8%	2023 est.
Electricity Access	100%	Total population, 2022 est.
Military Expenditures	1.1% of GDP	2024 est.
Major Urban Areas Population	22.620 million	São Paulo, 2023