BRAZIL

  • is the 6th largest country in the world with a population of about 182 millions
  • is the 8th biggest economy in the world with huge resources in natural wealth of all kinds
  • has the widest gap between the rich and the poor than almost every other country in the world

                                                             10% of the population own about 50% of the country’s wealth                       

                                                                                         33% live on less than $1 a day

This rich-poor divide can be seen nationally in the country as a whole and also in most of Brazil’s cities. The poverty of those living in the semi-arid north east contrasts starkly with the affluence of those living in southern states, like São Paulo. Rural poverty led to a massive migration to the cities.  In thirty years (1960-90) the urban population increased from 35m to 115m.  Huge numbers moved to the cities to seeking work and wealth but the majority landed up without either - living in the favelas and with little prospect of work

Enormous social problems emanate from the unfair distribution of resources

40% of children under 2 suffer from malnutrition

1 child in 27 dies before the age of 5

 Welfare services are out of reach to those without citizen status