Country Profile: Brazil

Brazil, the largest and most populous country in South America, boasts a diverse geography characterized by the Amazon rainforest and extensive coastlines along the Atlantic Ocean. It is home to over 221 million people, with significant urbanization concentrated along the eastern coast. The country's economy is classified as upper-middle-income, driven by strong domestic consumption and a mix of agriculture, industry, and services. Governed as a federal presidential republic, Brazil has a rich political history marked by transitions between democratic and authoritarian regimes.

Geography

Brazil is located in Eastern South America, bordering the Atlantic Ocean, and is slightly smaller than the United States. With a total area of approximately 8.5 million square kilometers, it features diverse terrain ranging from flat lowlands to mountains. The nation shares land boundaries with all South American countries except Chile and Ecuador, and is known for the Amazon Basin and Iguaçu Falls.

Area: 8,515,770 sq km (total)
Coastline: 7,491 km
Highest Point: Pico da Neblina at 2,994 m
Natural Hazards: Recurring droughts and floods
Natural Resources: Gold, iron ore, petroleum, timber, and hydropower

People and Society

Brazilian society is marked by a rich mix of ethnic groups and cultures, with a population estimated at 221,359,387 in 2025. The predominant language is Portuguese, and the country has a significant urban population, with approximately 87.8% living in urban areas. The age structure indicates a youthful population, although the median age is around 35.4 years.

Ethnic Groups: Mixed (45.3%), White (43.5%), Black (10.2%)
Urbanization Rate: 87.8% of the total population
Life Expectancy: 76.3 years (2024 est.)
Birth Rate: 13.04 births/1,000 population (2025 est.)
Literacy Rate: 94.8% (2024 est.)

Economy

Brazil is the largest economy in Latin America and a member of major international groups such as Mercosur and the G20. The economy is fueled by domestic consumption and has shown resilience against global financial challenges, with current economic reforms aimed at reducing inflation and income inequality.

GDP (PPP): $4.165 trillion (2024 est.)
GDP Growth Rate: 3.4% (2024 est.)
Unemployment Rate: 7.7% (2024 est.)
Public Debt: 83% of GDP (2023 est.)
Exports: Estimated at $388.333 billion (2024 est.)

Government

Brazil operates as a federal presidential republic, with the capital located in Brasília. The country's legal framework is based on civil law, and it has undergone various political transformations since its independence from Portugal in 1822. Currently, it recognizes dual citizenship and holds elections that feature compulsory voting for citizens aged between 18 and 70.

Executive Branch: President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva (since January 1, 2023)
Legislative Body: National Congress (bicameral)
Administrative Divisions: 26 states and 1 federal district
Citizenship by Birth: Yes
Voting Requirement: Compulsory for ages 18-70

Military and Security

The Brazilian Armed Forces consist of the Army, Navy, and Air Force, totaling around 360,000 active personnel. Brazil invests approximately 1.1% of its GDP in military expenditures, playing a significant role in both national defense and internal security.

Military Expenditures: 1.1% of GDP (2024 est.)
Active Personnel: 360,000 (total)
Compulsory Service Age: 18-45 years for men, 18 for women
Military Equipment: Diverse mix of domestic and imported weapons
MNNA Status: Major Non-NATO Ally with the US

Energy

Brazil boasts a diverse energy portfolio, primarily focused on renewable sources such as hydroelectricity, which constitutes about 60.2% of its total installed capacity. The country has a strong commitment to electrification, achieving nearly 100% access to electricity.

Installed Capacity: 240.251 million kW (2023 est.)
Electricity Consumption: 608.451 billion kWh (2023 est.)
Hydroelectricity Share: 60.2% of total capacity
Nuclear Energy: 2.2% of total electricity production
Electricity Access: 100% of the population (2022 est.)

Environment

Brazil faces significant environmental challenges, particularly deforestation in the Amazon and pollution in urban areas. However, it is a party to numerous international environmental agreements aimed at biodiversity and climate change.

Forest Cover: 58.9% of land area (2023 est.)
Carbon Emissions: 437.769 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2023 est.)
Urban Pollution: High air and water pollution levels in major cities
Major Environmental Agreements: Parties to the Paris Agreement and others
Deforestation Issues: Significant rates in the Amazon Basin

Transportation

Brazil has an extensive transportation network, including thousands of airports and railways, though many are in need of modernization. The country's merchant marine fleet is also substantial, supporting international trade.

Airports: 5,297 (2025 est.)
Railways: 29,849.9 km (2014)
Ports: 45 total (2024)
Merchant Marine: 888 vessels (2023)
Civil Aircraft Registration: Prefix PP

Communications

Brazil's communications sector includes widespread mobile and internet access, with over 216 million mobile subscriptions. The country has a high percentage of internet users, reflecting its modernization efforts.

Internet Users: 84% of the population (2023 est.)
Fixed-line Subscriptions: 22.5 million (2024 est.)
Mobile Subscriptions: 216 million (2024 est.)
Broadband Subscriptions: 48.4 million (2023 est.)
Broadcast Media: Over 100 TV channels and 1,000 radio stations

Key Metrics

Metric	Value	Note
Population	221,359,387 (2025 est.)
Area	8,515,770 sq km	Total area
GDP (PPP)	$4.165 trillion	(2024 est.)
Energy Consumption Per Capita	48.889 million Btu/person	(2023 est.)
Birth Rate	13.04 births/1,000	(2025 est.)
Unemployment Rate	7.7%	(2024 est.)
Life Expectancy at Birth	76.3 years	(2024 est.)
Population Below Poverty Line	4.2%	(2016 est.)
Literacy Rate	94.8%	(2024 est.)
Public Debt	83% of GDP	(2023 est.)