Vast in size and economic potential, Brazil is also home to more people suffering extreme poverty than anywhere else in Latin America.
Brazil is mineral-rich and self-sufficient in oil. But rapid development has seen winners and losers. Indigenous Amazonian peoples have lost land and livelihoods; one-fifth of Brazil’s rainforest has gone – much to illegal logging. Meanwhile, Brazil’s arable land lies in the hands of a few.Since 2003, social welfare initiatives have improved millions of lives. However, a huge wealth gap still exists and corruption has been a problem in recent years.
Poverty is most pervasive in rural areas, while violent crime has risen in towns and cities. Millions of children live on the streets – despite passing one of the most advanced Child Acts in the world.
Brazil has become a model for HIV care. Around 600,000 people live with the virus, but benefit from free treatment. (Brazil’s government bypassed major drugs firms to produce cheaper, generic medicines.)
Brazil’s rapidly growing evangelical church is often referred to as ‘the church of the poor’. However, the many denominations often struggle to unite on common issues.