Country Profile: Brazil

Brazil, the largest and most populous country in South America, boasts a diverse geography with vast rainforests, mountains, and extensive coastlines along the Atlantic Ocean. Its population is approximately 221 million, with a rich cultural fabric consisting of various ethnic groups. The economy is classified as upper-middle-income and is one of the largest in Latin America, driven by domestic consumption and substantial agriculture and industrial sectors. The country operates as a federal presidential republic, with its capital in Brasília and a history marked by periods of both democratic and authoritarian governance.

Geography

Brazil is located in Eastern South America, bordered by the Atlantic Ocean. It covers a total area of about 8,515,770 sq km, making it slightly smaller than the United States. The country's diverse terrain includes flat lowlands, mountains, and a significant portion of the Amazon rainforest, which plays a crucial role in global ecology.

7,491 km of coastline.
Shares borders with 10 countries, including Argentina and Colombia.
58.9% of its land is covered by forests.
Home to the Amazon River, the longest river in the world, stretching 6,400 km.

People and Society

Brazil's population is approximately 221.4 million (est. 2025), characterized by a mixture of ethnic groups including 45.3% mixed, 43.5% white, and 10.2% black. Portuguese is the official language, and the country has a predominantly Roman Catholic population, though there is a growing number of Evangelicals.

87.8% of the population lives in urban areas (2023).
Life expectancy stands at 76.3 years (2024).
Median age of population is 35.4 years (2025).
94.8% literacy rate (2024).

Economy

Brazil's economy is classified as upper-middle-income and is the largest in Latin America, characterized by strong domestic consumption and membership in economic groups like Mercosur and BRICS. In recent years, the economy has shown signs of recovery after facing challenges of high unemployment and inflation.

GDP (PPP) estimated at $4.165 trillion (2024).
Real GDP growth rate projected at 3.4% (2024).
Unemployment rate at 7.7% (2024).
Major agricultural products include soybeans, sugarcane, and beef.

Government

Brazil is a federal presidential republic with a complex political system. The current constitution was enacted in 1988, and the president serves as both the head of state and government. The political landscape is shaped by a variety of parties, with Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva currently in office following his election in 2022.

Capital city: Brasília.
26 states and one federal district.
Committed to various international agreements and organizations, including the United Nations and G20.

Military and Security

The Brazilian Armed Forces are responsible for national defense and internal security, comprising the Army, Navy, and Air Force. Brazil maintains an active military presence and cooperates with international partners for security initiatives.

Approximately 360,000 active military personnel (2025).
Military expenditures are around 1.1% of GDP (2024).
Brazil is recognized as a Major Non-NATO Ally by the United States.

Energy

Brazil's energy sector is heavily reliant on renewable sources, particularly hydroelectric power, which makes up a significant portion of its electricity generation.

100% electrification of the population (2022).
Installed electricity generation capacity is 240.251 million kW (2023).
60.2% of electricity generated is from hydroelectric sources.

Environment

Brazil faces significant environmental challenges, including deforestation in the Amazon and pollution in major urban areas. The country is a party to multiple international environmental agreements aimed at addressing these issues.

Over 28.3% of land is used for agriculture (2023).
High levels of carbon dioxide emissions, totaling approximately 437.769 million metric tonnes (2023).
Home to the world's largest tropical wetland, the Pantanal.

Transportation

Brazil features an extensive transportation network, which includes a mix of railways, roads, and air traffic. The country invests in infrastructure to support both domestic and international mobility.

5,297 airports as of 2025.
Railways extend approximately 29,849.9 km (2014).
Merchant marine fleet consists of 888 vessels (2023).

Communications

Brazil has a well-developed communications infrastructure, with a high penetration of mobile and internet services.

216 million mobile subscriptions (2024), reflecting a high connectivity rate.
84% of the population are internet users (2023).
Over 48.4 million fixed broadband subscriptions (2023).

Key Metrics

Metric	Value	Note
Population	221,359,387 (2025 est.)
Area	8,515,770 sq km	Includes land and water
GDP (PPP)	$4.165 trillion (2024 est.)
Electricity Access	100%	Total population electrified (2022)
Unemployment Rate	7.7% (2024 est.)	% of labor force seeking employment
Life Expectancy	76.3 years (2024 est.)
Literacy Rate	94.8% (2024 est.)	Total population
Urban Population	87.8% (2023)	% of total population
Major Urban Area (São Paulo)	22.620 million	Population as of 2023
Agricultural Land	28.3% (2023 est.)	Total land used for agriculture