Health in the Americas 2022

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Brazil - Country Profile

The Health in the Americas+ country profiles are based on the interagency indicators available as of the dates referenced. In some cases, the values of the indicators may differ from the most recent data available in the country.

Environmental and social determinants of health

In 2000 the total population of Brazil was 174 018 282 inhabitants; by 2024 this figure had risen to 211 998 573, representing a 21.8% increase. Regarding the country’s demographic profile, in 2024 people over 65 years of age accounted for 11.% of the total population, an increase of 5.9 percentage points compared to the year 2000. In 2024, there were 103.3 women per 100 men and 56.2 older people (65 years or older) per 100 children under 15 years of age, as can be seen in the country’s population pyramids, distributed by age group and sex (Figure 1). Considering the population between 15 and 64 years of age to be potentially active (i.e., potential participants in the labor force), this group represented 69.3% of the total population of the country in 2024 (146 884 645 people). When we add these figures to the potentially passive population (41 689 816 under 15 years of age and 23 424 114 over 65 years of age), the result is a dependency ratio of 44.3 potentially passive people per 100 potentially active people. This ratio was 53.9 in 2000.

Life expectancy at birth in 2024 was 76 years, lower than the average for the Region of the Americas and 6.4 years higher that in 2000 (69.6).

Figure 1. Population pyramids of Brazil, years 2000 and 2024

Between 2004 and 2018, the average number of years of schooling in Brazil increased by 33.5%, reaching an average of 8.0 years in the latest year for which information is available. The unemployment rate in 2023 was 7.8%. Disaggregated by sex, the rate was 9.4% for women and 6.5% for men. The literacy rate was 99.3% in 2022. In men, this figure was 99.6%; in women, 99.0%. In 2022, 3.5% of the population was living in poverty, defined as the percentage of the population with an income of less than US$ 2.15 per day; this is below the regional average of 2.6%.

During the period 2000-2022, the country improved its score on the Human Development Index, with an increase of 13.8% (from a score of 0.668 to a score of 0.76); during the same period, the index rose 14.6% internationally and 11.2% in Latin America (Figure 2).

Figure 2. Human Development Index in the Region of the Americas, 2021

In 2021, public expenditure on health accounted for 4.5% of gross domestic product (GDP) (Figure 3) and 10.94% of total public expenditure, while out-of-pocket spending on health accounted for 22.65% of total health expenditure.

Figure 3. Domestic general government health expenditure as percentage of gross domestic product, 2020

Digital coverage

Digital coverage has been an important tool in disseminating information and organizing vaccination campaigns. In 2020, 81.3% of Brazilians had internet access, representing a significant increase compared to 2000, when only 2.9% had access. This connectivity allows for more efficient vaccination campaigns and reaches a larger portion of the population. Additionally, advancements in the digital vaccination card and in the nominal information system have been evident.

Health situation

Maternal and child health

Between 2000 and 2021, infant mortality in Brazil decreased from 26.1 to 12.5 deaths per 1000 live births, a decrease of 52.1% (Figure 4). The percentage of low-weight births (less than 2500 g) increased from 8.1% to 8.9% between 2002 and 2021, while exclusive breastfeeding in the child population up to 6 months of age increased from 38.6% in 2006 to 79.6% in 2007 (the latest year for which information is available).

Regarding the immunization strategy, measles vaccination coverage was 81% in 2022, a decrease of 19 percentage points from 2000.

Figure 4. Infant mortality per 1000 live births, 1995–2021

The maternal mortality ratio in 2020 was estimated at 72.1 deaths per 100 000 live births, representing a 5.5% increase compared to the estimated value in 2000 (Figure 5). In relation to fertility, it is estimated that in 2024 women had an average of 1.6 children throughout their reproductive lives. In the specific case of adolescent fertility, there was a 51.6% decrease, from 85.6 live births per 1000 women aged 15 to 19 years in 2000 to 41.5 in 2024. In 2021, 98.9% of births were attended by skilled birth personnel. Between 2000 and 2019 the percentage of pregnant people who had four or more consultations for antenatal care increased from 79.3% to 92.7%. In 2020, 99.0% of births were attended by skilled birth personnel.

Figure 5. Maternal mortality per 100 000 live births, 2000–2020

Communicable diseases

In 2022, there were 41 new cases of tuberculosis per 100 000 population in Brazil. In 2019, the overall tuberculosis mortality rate (age-adjusted and per 100 000 population) was 2.2 (1.3 in women and 3.1 in men).

In 2021, the estimated human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection incidence rate (new diagnoses) was 19.5 per 100 000 population. The age-adjusted mortality rate for HIV was 5.4 per 100 000 population in 2019. It should be noted that during the 2000-2019 period this indicator decreased by 29.5%. There were five reported cases of human rabies in the country in 2022.

Noncommunicable diseases and risk factors

In Brazil in 2023, the prevalence of tobacco use among people aged 15 and older was 11.7%. In the same age group, the prevalence of overweight and obesity was 63.0% in 2022. Also in 2019, 47% of the population reported insufficient physical activity. 

In 2015, the reported prevalence of arterial hypertension among people aged 18 years or older was 23.3%, a decrease of 5.9 percentage points compared to 2000 (29.2%). The prevalence of diabetes mellitus, which stood at 6.9% in 2000, increased to 8.3% in 2014.

Mortality

In 2019, the adjusted rate of potentially preventable premature mortality in Brazil was 249 deaths per 100 000 population, a decrease of 29.2% compared to the rate of 351.9 in 2000. This meant that, in 2019, the rate in the country was 9.8% higher than the average rate reported for the Region of the Americas as a whole. Among potentially preventable premature deaths, the rate for preventable causes was 149.4 per 100 000 population in 2019, which is 9% higher than the regional average rate; and the rate for treatable causes was 99.6 per 100 000 population, above the regional average of 89.6.

The overall age-adjusted mortality rate was 5.8 per 1000 population in 2019, a decrease of 25.5% compared to 2000 (7.8 deaths per 1000 population).

When deaths are categorized into three main groups, it is observed that, in 2019, the age-adjusted mortality rate from communicable diseases was 81.8 per 100 000 population (97.8 per 100 000 in men and 68.5 per 100 000 in women), while the age-adjusted mortality rate from noncommunicable diseases was 425.2 per 100 000 population (520.1 per 100 000 in men and 350.8 per 100 000 in women). The rate of age-adjusted mortality from external causes was 70.8 per 100 000 population (119.1 per 100 000 in men and 24.1 per 100 000 in women), including road traffic accidents (15.1 per 100 000 population), homicides (31.6 per 100 000 population), and suicides (6.4 per 100 000 population). In 2000, the percentage distribution of causes was 69.1% for noncommunicable diseases, 18% for communicable diseases, and 12.9% for external causes; in 2019, the percentages were 74.7%, 13.7%, and 11.6%, respectively (Figure 6).

Figure 6. Proportional mortality in Brazil, 2000 and 2019

Cancer mortality

Regarding cancer mortality from tumors, in 2019, the adjusted mortality rate from prostate cancer was 19.1 per 100 000 men; lung cancer, 17.6 per 100 000; and colorectal cancer, 10.8 per 100 000. In women, these values were 15.7 deaths per 100 000 for breast cancer; 12.5 per 100 000 for lung cancer; and 8.7 per 100 000 for colorectal cancer.

Aditional data from the country

IndicatorValueYearSourceLink
Average years of schooling, in people aged 25 and older, total9.92022Instituto Brasileiro de Geografia e Estatística – IBGE. PNAD contínua 2022, Educaçãohttps://biblioteca.ibge.gov.br/visualizacao/livros/liv102002_informativo.pdf
Average years of schooling, in people aged 25 and older, men9.62022Instituto Brasileiro de Geografia e Estatística – IBGE. PNAD contínua 2022, Educaçãohttps://biblioteca.ibge.gov.br/visualizacao/livros/liv102002_informativo.pdf
Average years of schooling, in people aged 25 and older, women10.12022Instituto Brasileiro de Geografia e Estatística – IBGE. PNAD contínua 2022, Educaçãohttps://biblioteca.ibge.gov.br/visualizacao/livros/liv102002_informativo.pdf
Low birth weight (<2,500 g) (% of live births); total7.92022Ministério da Saúde. Painel de Monitoramento de Nascidos Vivoshttps://svs.aids.gov.br/daent/centrais-de-conteudos/paineis-de-monitoramento/natalidade/nascidos-vivos/
Low birth weight (<2,500 g) (% of live births); total8.12000Ministério da Saúde. Painel de Monitoramento de Nascidos Vivoshttps://svs.aids.gov.br/daent/centrais-de-conteudos/paineis-de-monitoramento/natalidade/nascidos-vivos/
Cases of human rabies; total5.02022Ministério da Saúde. Raivahttps://www.gov.br/saude/pt-br/assuntos/saude-de-a-a-z/r/raiva
Prenatal care coverage (% of live births) (at least 4 visits)91.92022Ministério da Saúde. Painel de Monitoramento de Nascidos Vivoshttps://svs.aids.gov.br/daent/centrais-de-conteudos/paineis-de-monitoramento/natalidade/nascidos-vivos/
Prenatal care coverage (% of live births) (at least 4 visits)74.32000Ministério da Saúde. Painel de Monitoramento de Nascidos Vivoshttps://svs.aids.gov.br/daent/centrais-de-conteudos/paineis-de-monitoramento/natalidade/nascidos-vivos/
Immunization coverage with the first dose of the measles-mumps-rubella vaccine in 1-year-old children (%)87.52023Ministério da Saúde. Imunizações - Cobertura – Brasil. Rede Nacional de Dados em Saúdehttps://infoms.saude.gov.br/extensions/SEIDIGI_DEMAS_VACINACAO_CALENDARIO_NACIONAL_COBERTURA_RESIDENCIA/SEIDIGI_DEMAS_VACINACAO_CALENDARIO_NACIONAL_COBERTURA_RESIDENCIA.html
Immunization coverage with the first dose of the measles-mumps-rubella vaccine in 1-year-old children (%)100.02013Ministério da Saúde. Imunizações - Cobertura – Brasil. SI-PNIhttp://tabnet.datasus.gov.br/cgi/dhdat.exe?bd_pni/cpnibr.def
Immunization coverage with the third dose of the Inactivated Polio Vaccine in children under 1 year old (%)85.52023Ministério da Saúde. Imunizações - Cobertura – Brasil. Rede Nacional de Dados em Saúdehttps://infoms.saude.gov.br/extensions/SEIDIGI_DEMAS_VACINACAO_CALENDARIO_NACIONAL_COBERTURA_RESIDENCIA/SEIDIGI_DEMAS_VACINACAO_CALENDARIO_NACIONAL_COBERTURA_RESIDENCIA.html
Immunization coverage with the third dose of the Inactivated Polio Vaccine in children under 1 year old (%)100.02013Ministério da Saúde. Imunizações - Cobertura – Brasil. SI-PNIhttp://tabnet.datasus.gov.br/cgi/dhdat.exe?bd_pni/cpnibr.def
Immunization coverage with the third dose of the pentavalent vaccine in children under 1 year old (%)84.62023Ministério da Saúde. Imunizações - Cobertura – Brasil. Rede Nacional de Dados em Saúdehttps://infoms.saude.gov.br/extensions/SEIDIGI_DEMAS_VACINACAO_CALENDARIO_NACIONAL_COBERTURA_RESIDENCIA/SEIDIGI_DEMAS_VACINACAO_CALENDARIO_NACIONAL_COBERTURA_RESIDENCIA.html
Immunization coverage with the third dose of the pentavalent vaccine in children under 1 year old (%)97.9 (DTP), 98.1 (Tetra), 95.9 (Penta)2013Ministério da Saúde. Imunizações - Cobertura – Brasil. SI-PNIhttp://tabnet.datasus.gov.br/cgi/dhdat.exe?bd_pni/cpnibr.def
Internet coverage (% of the population)80.02022Comitê Gestor da Internet do Brasilhttps://cetic.br/media/docs/publicacoes/2/20230825143720/tic_domicilios_2022_livro_eletronico.pdf
Internet coverage (% of the population)83.02020Comitê Gestor da Internet do Brasilhttps://www.cgi.br/media/docs/publicacoes/2/20211124201233/tic_domicilios_2020_livro_eletronico.pdf
Dentist density (per 1,000 inhabitants)2.042023Conselho Federal de Odontologia - Estatísticashttps://website.cfo.org.br/estatisticas/quantidade-geral-de-entidades-e-profissionais-ativos/
Doctor density (per 1,000 inhabitants)2.812023Conselho Federal de Medicina. Conselhos regionais, Demografia Médicahttps://observatorio.cfm.org.br/demografia/#apresentacao
Doctor density (per 1,000 inhabitants)1.632010Conselho Federal de Medicina. Conselhos regionais, Demografia Médicahttps://observatorio.cfm.org.br/demografia/#apresentacao
Life expectancy at birth (in years); total75.52022Instituto Brasileiro de Geografia e Estatística – IBGE. Tábuas Completas de Mortalidadehttps://www.ibge.gov.br/estatisticas/sociais/populacao/9126-tabuas-completas-de-mortalidade.html?edicao=35598&t=publicacoes
Life expectancy at birth (in years); men72.02022Instituto Brasileiro de Geografia e Estatística – IBGE. Tábuas Completas de Mortalidadehttps://www.ibge.gov.br/estatisticas/sociais/populacao/9126-tabuas-completas-de-mortalidade.html?edicao=35598&t=publicacoes
Life expectancy at birth (in years); women79.02022Instituto Brasileiro de Geografia e Estatística – IBGE. Tábuas Completas de Mortalidadehttps://www.ibge.gov.br/estatisticas/sociais/populacao/9126-tabuas-completas-de-mortalidade.html?edicao=35598&t=publicacoes
Life expectancy at birth (in years); total76.62019Instituto Brasileiro de Geografia e Estatística – IBGE. Tábuas Completas de Mortalidadehttps://www.ibge.gov.br/estatisticas/sociais/populacao/9126-tabuas-completas-de-mortalidade.html?edicao=35598&t=publicacoes
Life expectancy at birth (in years); men73.12019Instituto Brasileiro de Geografia e Estatística – IBGE. Tábuas Completas de Mortalidadehttps://www.ibge.gov.br/estatisticas/sociais/populacao/9126-tabuas-completas-de-mortalidade.html?edicao=35598&t=publicacoes
Life expectancy at birth (in years); women80.12019Instituto Brasileiro de Geografia e Estatística – IBGE. Tábuas Completas de Mortalidadehttps://www.ibge.gov.br/estatisticas/sociais/populacao/9126-tabuas-completas-de-mortalidade.html?edicao=35598&t=publicacoes
Public health expenditure (% of Gross Domestic Product)4.02021Instituto Brasileiro de Geografia e Estatística – IBGE. Contas Satéliteshttps://biblioteca.ibge.gov.br/visualizacao/livros/liv102075_informativo.pdf
Public health expenditure (% of Gross Domestic Product)3.82019Instituto Brasileiro de Geografia e Estatística – IBGE. Contas Satéliteshttps://biblioteca.ibge.gov.br/visualizacao/livros/liv101928_informativo.pdf
Public health expenditure (% of total public expenditure)41.62021Instituto Brasileiro de Geografia e Estatística – IBGE. Contas Satéliteshttps://biblioteca.ibge.gov.br/visualizacao/livros/liv102075_informativo.pdf
Public health expenditure (% of total public expenditure)39.92019Instituto Brasileiro de Geografia e Estatística – IBGE. Contas Satéliteshttps://biblioteca.ibge.gov.br/visualizacao/livros/liv101928_informativo.pdf
Tuberculosis incidence (per 100,000 inhabitants)39.82023Ministério da Saúde. Boletim Epidemiológico de Tuberculose, Painel Tuberculosehttps://app.powerbi.com/view?r=eyJrIjoiMGI0YTk1MTMtNWM5ZS00MGI0LWI2NjgtZGI3OWMxNmVlOTgxIiwidCI6IjlhNTU0YWQzLWI1MmItNDg2Mi1hMzZmLTg0ZDg5MWU1YzcwNSJ9
Tuberculosis incidence (per 100,000 inhabitants)37.32019Ministério da Saúde. Boletim Epidemiológico de Tuberculose, Painel Tuberculosehttps://app.powerbi.com/view?r=eyJrIjoiMGI0YTk1MTMtNWM5ZS00MGI0LWI2NjgtZGI3OWMxNmVlOTgxIiwidCI6IjlhNTU0YWQzLWI1MmItNDg2Mi1hMzZmLTg0ZDg5MWU1YzcwNSJ9
Demographic dependency ratio (%)44.22022Instituto Brasileiro de Geografia e Estatística – IBGE. Censo Demográfico 2022https://www.ibge.gov.br/estatisticas/sociais/populacao/22827-censo-demografico-2022.html?edicao=38166&t=resultados
Demographic dependency ratio (%)55.42000Instituto Brasileiro de Geografia e Estatística – IBGEhttps://www.ibge.gov.br/estatisticas/downloads-estatisticas.html
Exclusive breastfeeding in children under 6 months (%)45.82019Estudo Nacional de Alimentação e Nutrição Infantil (ENANI).https://enani.nutricao.ufrj.br
Mortality in children under five years old (per 1,000 live births); total15.52022Ministério da Saúde. Indicadores de mortalidade que utilizam a metodologia de Busca Ativahttps://svs.aids.gov.br/daent/acesso-a-informacao/acoes-e-programas/busca-ativa/indicadores-de-saude/mortalidade/
Mortality in children under five years old (per 1,000 live births); total15.42019Ministério da Saúde. Indicadores de mortalidade que utilizam a metodologia de Busca Ativahttps://svs.aids.gov.br/daent/acesso-a-informacao/acoes-e-programas/busca-ativa/indicadores-de-saude/mortalidade/
Mortality in children under five years old (per 1,000 live births); total30.12000Ministério da Saúde. Indicadores de mortalidade que utilizam a metodologia de Busca Ativahttps://svs.aids.gov.br/daent/acesso-a-informacao/acoes-e-programas/busca-ativa/indicadores-de-saude/mortalidade/
Deaths from acute diarrheal disease in children under five years old (% of children under 5)1.32022Ministério da Saúde. Sistema de Informação sobre mortalidadehttp://tabnet.datasus.gov.br/cgi/deftohtm.exe?sim/cnv/obt10uf.def
Deaths from acute diarrheal disease in children under five years old (% of children under 5)1.22019Ministério da Saúde. Sistema de Informação sobre mortalidadehttp://tabnet.datasus.gov.br/cgi/deftohtm.exe?sim/cnv/obt10uf.def
Deaths from acute respiratory infection in children under five years old (% of children under 5)5.72022Ministério da Saúde. Sistema de Informação sobre mortalidadehttp://tabnet.datasus.gov.br/cgi/deftohtm.exe?sim/cnv/obt10uf.def
Deaths from acute respiratory infection in children under five years old (% of children under 5)5.02019Ministério da Saúde. Sistema de Informação sobre mortalidadehttp://tabnet.datasus.gov.br/cgi/deftohtm.exe?sim/cnv/obt10uf.def
Obstetric nurse density (per 10,000 inhabitants)0.642022Boletim Informativo da ABENFO. Edição Maio 2023https://abenfo.org.br/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/Boletim-Abenfo-n.-1-maio-2023.pdf
Births attended by skilled health personnel (% of live births)98.32022Ministério da Saúde. Painel de Monitoramento de Nascidos Vivoshttps://svs.aids.gov.br/daent/centrais-de-conteudos/paineis-de-monitoramento/natalidade/nascidos-vivos/
Births attended by skilled health personnel (% of live births)97.82019Ministério da Saúde. Painel de Monitoramento de Nascidos Vivoshttps://svs.aids.gov.br/daent/centrais-de-conteudos/paineis-de-monitoramento/natalidade/nascidos-vivos/
Total population203 080 7562022Instituto Brasileiro de Geografia e Estatística – IBGE. Censo Demográfico 2022https://www.ibge.gov.br/estatisticas/sociais/populacao/22827-censo-demografico-2022.html?edicao=38166&t=resultados
Total population169 799 1702000Instituto Brasileiro de Geografia e Estatística – IBGEhttps://www.ibge.gov.br/estatisticas/downloads-estatisticas.html
Population aged 15 to 64 (% of total population)69.32022Instituto Brasileiro de Geografia e Estatística – IBGE. Censo Demográfico 2022https://www.ibge.gov.br/estatisticas/sociais/populacao/22827-censo-demografico-2022.html?edicao=38166&t=resultados
Population aged 15 to 64 (% of total population)64.52000Instituto Brasileiro de Geografia e Estatística – IBGEhttps://www.ibge.gov.br/estatisticas/downloads-estatisticas.html
Population aged 65 and over (% of total population)10.92022Instituto Brasileiro de Geografia e Estatística – IBGE. Censo Demográfico 2022https://www.ibge.gov.br/estatisticas/sociais/populacao/22827-censo-demografico-2022.html?edicao=38166&t=resultados
Population aged 65 and over (% of total population)5.92000Instituto Brasileiro de Geografia e Estatística – IBGEhttps://www.ibge.gov.br/estatisticas/downloads-estatisticas.html
Population under 15 years old (% of total population)19.82022Instituto Brasileiro de Geografia e Estatística – IBGE. Censo Demográfico 2022https://www.ibge.gov.br/estatisticas/sociais/populacao/22827-censo-demografico-2022.html?edicao=38166&t=resultados
Population under 15 years old (% of total population)29.62000Instituto Brasileiro de Geografia e Estatística – IBGEhttps://www.ibge.gov.br/estatisticas/downloads-estatisticas.html
Prevalence of insufficient physical activity in adults (% of adults); total37.02023Ministério da Saúde. Plataforma integrada de vigilância em saúde – IVIS. Vigitel Brasil 2023http://plataforma.saude.gov.br/vigitel/
Prevalence of current tobacco smokers in adults (% of adults); total9.32023Ministério da Saúde. Plataforma integrada de vigilância em saúde – IVIS. Vigitel Brasil 2023http://plataforma.saude.gov.br/vigitel/
Prevalence of current tobacco smokers in adults (% of adults); total14.12010Ministério da Saúde. Plataforma integrada de vigilância em saúde – IVIS. Vigitel Brasil 2023http://plataforma.saude.gov.br/vigitel/
Prevalence of elevated blood glucose/diabetes mellitus in adults (% of adults); total10.22023Ministério da Saúde. Plataforma integrada de vigilância em saúde – IVIS. Vigitel Brasil 2023http://plataforma.saude.gov.br/vigitel/
Prevalence of elevated blood glucose/diabetes mellitus in adults (% of adults); total6.82010Ministério da Saúde. Plataforma integrada de vigilância em saúde – IVIS. Vigitel Brasil 2023http://plataforma.saude.gov.br/vigitel/
Prevalence of hypertension (%); total27.92023Ministério da Saúde. Plataforma integrada de vigilância em saúde – IVIS. Vigitel Brasil 2023http://plataforma.saude.gov.br/vigitel/
Prevalence of hypertension (%); total24.32010Ministério da Saúde. Plataforma integrada de vigilância em saúde – IVIS. Vigitel Brasil 2023http://plataforma.saude.gov.br/vigitel/
Prevalence of overweight and obesity in adults (% of adults); total61.42023Ministério da Saúde. Plataforma integrada de vigilância em saúde – IVIS. Vigitel Brasil 2023http://plataforma.saude.gov.br/vigitel/
Prevalence of overweight and obesity in adults (% of adults); total48.22010Ministério da Saúde. Plataforma integrada de vigilância em saúde – IVIS. Vigitel Brasil 2023http://plataforma.saude.gov.br/vigitel/
Aging index; population aged 65 and over / population under 15 years old (%)55.22022Instituto Brasileiro de Geografia e Estatística – IBGE. Censo Demográfico 2022https://www.ibge.gov.br/estatisticas/sociais/populacao/22827-censo-demografico-2022.html?edicao=38166&t=resultados
Aging index; population aged 65 and over / population under 15 years old (%)19.82000Instituto Brasileiro de Geografia e Estatística – IBGEhttps://www.ibge.gov.br/estatisticas/downloads-estatisticas.html
Estimated maternal mortality ratio (per 100,000 live births)57.72022Ministério da Saúde. Indicadores de mortalidade que utilizam a metodologia de Busca Ativahttps://svs.aids.gov.br/daent/acesso-a-informacao/acoes-e-programas/busca-ativa/indicadores-de-saude/mortalidade/
Estimated maternal mortality ratio (per 100,000 live births)57.92019Ministério da Saúde. Indicadores de mortalidade que utilizam a metodologia de Busca Ativahttps://svs.aids.gov.br/daent/acesso-a-informacao/acoes-e-programas/busca-ativa/indicadores-de-saude/mortalidade/
Estimated maternal mortality ratio (per 100,000 live births)73.32000Ministério da Saúde. Indicadores de mortalidade que utilizam a metodologia de Busca Ativahttps://svs.aids.gov.br/daent/acesso-a-informacao/acoes-e-programas/busca-ativa/indicadores-de-saude/mortalidade/
Female-to-male ratio (number of women per 100 men)106.12022Instituto Brasileiro de Geografia e Estatística – IBGE. Censo Demográfico 2022https://www.ibge.gov.br/estatisticas/sociais/populacao/22827-censo-demografico-2022.html?edicao=38166&t=resultados
Literacy rate, in people aged 15 and older (%); total93.02022Instituto Brasileiro de Geografia e Estatística – IBGE. Censo Demográfico 2022 – Alfabetizaçãohttps://biblioteca.ibge.gov.br/visualizacao/periodicos/3108/cd_2022_alfabetizacao.pdf
Literacy rate, in people aged 15 and older (%); men92.52022Instituto Brasileiro de Geografia e Estatística – IBGE. Censo Demográfico 2022 – Alfabetizaçãohttps://biblioteca.ibge.gov.br/visualizacao/periodicos/3108/cd_2022_alfabetizacao.pdf
Literacy rate, in people aged 15 and older (%); women93.52022Instituto Brasileiro de Geografia e Estatística – IBGE. Censo Demográfico 2022 – Alfabetizaçãohttps://biblioteca.ibge.gov.br/visualizacao/periodicos/3108/cd_2022_alfabetizacao.pdf
Literacy rate, in people aged 15 and older (%); total90.92010Instituto Brasileiro de Geografia e Estatística – IBGE. Censo demográfico 2010. Estatísticas de Génerohttps://biblioteca.ibge.gov.br/visualizacao/livros/liv88941.pdf
Literacy rate, in people aged 15 and older (%); men90.22010Instituto Brasileiro de Geografia e Estatística – IBGE. Censo demográfico 2010. Estatísticas de Génerohttps://biblioteca.ibge.gov.br/visualizacao/livros/liv88941.pdf
Literacy rate, in people aged 15 and older (%); women90.92010Instituto Brasileiro de Geografia e Estatística – IBGE. Censo demográfico 2010. Estatísticas de Génerohttps://biblioteca.ibge.gov.br/visualizacao/livros/liv88941.pdf
Unemployment rate (%); total7.42023Instituto Brasileiro de Geografia e Estatística – IBGE. PNAD contínuahttps://sidra.ibge.gov.br/pesquisa/pnadct/tabelas
Unemployment rate (%); men6.02023Instituto Brasileiro de Geografia e Estatística – IBGE. PNAD contínuahttps://sidra.ibge.gov.br/pesquisa/pnadct/tabelas
Unemployment rate (%); women9.22023Instituto Brasileiro de Geografia e Estatística – IBGE. PNAD contínuahttps://sidra.ibge.gov.br/pesquisa/pnadct/tabelas
Adolescent fertility rate (births per 1,000 women aged 15 to 19)42.72022Ministério da Saúde. Painel de Monitoramento da Nascidos Vivoshttps://svs.aids.gov.br/daent/centrais-de-conteudos/paineis-de-monitoramento/natalidade/nascidos-vivos/
Poverty incidence rate considering the national poverty line with income less than $1.90 per day (% of the population)5.22022Instituto Brasileiro de Geografia e Estatística – IBGE. Síntese de indicadores sociais: uma análise das condições de vida da população brasileira; 2023https://biblioteca.ibge.gov.br/visualizacao/livros/liv102052.pdf
Poverty incidence rate considering the national poverty line with income less than $1.90 per day (% of the population)6.82019Instituto Brasileiro de Geografia e Estatística – IBGE. Síntese de indicadores sociais: uma análise das condições de vida da população brasileira; 2023https://biblioteca.ibge.gov.br/visualizacao/livros/liv102052.pdf
General mortality rate (age-adjusted per 1,000 inhabitants); total7.62022Ministério da Saúde. Painel de Monitoramento da Mortalidade CID-10https://datasus.saude.gov.br/mortalidade-desde-1996-pela-cid-10
General mortality rate (age-adjusted per 1,000 inhabitants); men8.62022Ministério da Saúde. Painel de Monitoramento da Mortalidade CID-10https://datasus.saude.gov.br/mortalidade-desde-1996-pela-cid-10
General mortality rate (age-adjusted per 1,000 inhabitants); women6.72022Ministério da Saúde. Painel de Monitoramento da Mortalidade CID-10https://datasus.saude.gov.br/mortalidade-desde-1996-pela-cid-10
Infant mortality rate (per 1,000 live births); total12.92022Ministério da Saúde. Indicadores de mortalidade que utilizam a metodologia de Busca Ativahttps://svs.aids.gov.br/daent/acesso-a-informacao/acoes-e-programas/busca-ativa/indicadores-de-saude/mortalidade/
Infant mortality rate (per 1,000 live births); total13.32019Ministério da Saúde. Indicadores de mortalidade que utilizam a metodologia de Busca Ativahttps://svs.aids.gov.br/daent/acesso-a-informacao/acoes-e-programas/busca-ativa/indicadores-de-saude/mortalidade/
Infant mortality rate (per 1,000 live births); total26.12000Ministério da Saúde. Indicadores de mortalidade que utilizam a metodologia de Busca Ativahttps://svs.aids.gov.br/daent/acesso-a-informacao/acoes-e-programas/busca-ativa/indicadores-de-saude/mortalidade/
Mortality rate due to road traffic accidents (age-adjusted per 100,000 inhabitants); total16.62022Ministério da Saúde. Sistema de Informação sobre mortalidadehttps://datasus.saude.gov.br/mortalidade-desde-1996-pela-cid-10
Mortality rate due to road traffic accidents (age-adjusted per 100,000 inhabitants); men28.32022Ministério da Saúde. Sistema de Informação sobre mortalidadehttps://datasus.saude.gov.br/mortalidade-desde-1996-pela-cid-10
Mortality rate due to road traffic accidents (age-adjusted per 100,000 inhabitants); women5.62022Ministério da Saúde. Sistema de Informação sobre mortalidadehttps://datasus.saude.gov.br/mortalidade-desde-1996-pela-cid-10
Mortality rate due to colorectal cancer (age-adjusted per 100,000 inhabitants); total9.62022Ministério da Saúde. Sistema de Informação sobre mortalidadehttps://datasus.saude.gov.br/mortalidade-desde-1996-pela-cid-10
Mortality rate due to colorectal cancer (age-adjusted per 100,000 inhabitants); men9.92022Ministério da Saúde. Sistema de Informação sobre mortalidadehttps://datasus.saude.gov.br/mortalidade-desde-1996-pela-cid-10
Mortality rate due to colorectal cancer (age-adjusted per 100,000 inhabitants); women9.32022Ministério da Saúde. Sistema de Informação sobre mortalidadehttps://datasus.saude.gov.br/mortalidade-desde-1996-pela-cid-10
Mortality rate due to breast cancer (age-adjusted per 100,000 inhabitants)18.32022Ministério da Saúde. Sistema de Informação sobre mortalidadehttps://datasus.saude.gov.br/mortalidade-desde-1996-pela-cid-10
Mortality rate due to prostate cancer (age-adjusted per 100,000 inhabitants)16.72022Ministério da Saúde. Sistema de Informação sobre mortalidadehttps://datasus.saude.gov.br/mortalidade-desde-1996-pela-cid-10
Mortality rate due to lung and bronchial cancer (age-adjusted per 100,000 inhabitants); total14.52022Ministério da Saúde. Sistema de Informação sobre mortalidadehttps://datasus.saude.gov.br/mortalidade-desde-1996-pela-cid-10
Mortality rate due to lung and bronchial cancer (age-adjusted per 100,000 inhabitants); men16.22022Ministério da Saúde. Sistema de Informação sobre mortalidadehttps://datasus.saude.gov.br/mortalidade-desde-1996-pela-cid-10
Mortality rate due to lung and bronchial cancer (age-adjusted per 100,000 inhabitants); women13.02022Ministério da Saúde. Sistema de Informação sobre mortalidadehttps://datasus.saude.gov.br/mortalidade-desde-1996-pela-cid-10
Mortality rate due to external causes (age-adjusted per 100,000 inhabitants); total74.72022Ministério da Saúde. Sistema de Informação sobre mortalidadehttps://datasus.saude.gov.br/mortalidade-desde-1996-pela-cid-10
Mortality rate due to external causes (age-adjusted per 100,000 inhabitants); men121.32022Ministério da Saúde. Sistema de Informação sobre mortalidadehttps://datasus.saude.gov.br/mortalidade-desde-1996-pela-cid-10
Mortality rate due to external causes (age-adjusted per 100,000 inhabitants); women30.72022Ministério da Saúde. Sistema de Informação sobre mortalidadehttps://datasus.saude.gov.br/mortalidade-desde-1996-pela-cid-10
Mortality rate due to external causes (age-adjusted per 100,000 inhabitants); total64.32022Ministério da Saúde. Sistema de Informação sobre mortalidadehttps://datasus.saude.gov.br/mortalidade-desde-1996-pela-cid-10
Mortality rate due to noncommunicable diseases (age-adjusted per 100,000 inhabitants); total393.22022Ministério da Saúde. Sistema de Informação sobre mortalidadehttps://datasus.saude.gov.br/mortalidade-desde-1996-pela-cid-10
Mortality rate due to noncommunicable diseases (age-adjusted per 100,000 inhabitants); men418.02022Ministério da Saúde. Sistema de Informação sobre mortalidadehttps://datasus.saude.gov.br/mortalidade-desde-1996-pela-cid-10
Mortality rate due to noncommunicable diseases (age-adjusted per 100,000 inhabitants); women369.92022Ministério da Saúde. Sistema de Informação sobre mortalidadehttps://datasus.saude.gov.br/mortalidade-desde-1996-pela-cid-10
Mortality rate due to communicable diseases (age-adjusted per 100,000 inhabitants); total110.02022Ministério da Saúde. Sistema de Informação sobre mortalidadehttps://datasus.saude.gov.br/mortalidade-desde-1996-pela-cid-10
Mortality rate due to communicable diseases (age-adjusted per 100,000 inhabitants); men118.42022Ministério da Saúde. Sistema de Informação sobre mortalidadehttps://datasus.saude.gov.br/mortalidade-desde-1996-pela-cid-10
Mortality rate due to communicable diseases (age-adjusted per 100,000 inhabitants); women102.22022Ministério da Saúde. Sistema de Informação sobre mortalidadehttps://datasus.saude.gov.br/mortalidade-desde-1996-pela-cid-10
Homicide mortality rate (age-adjusted per 100,000 inhabitants); total21.62022Ministério da Saúde. Sistema de Informação sobre mortalidadehttps://datasus.saude.gov.br/mortalidade-desde-1996-pela-cid-10
Homicide mortality rate (age-adjusted per 100,000 inhabitants); men40.62022Ministério da Saúde. Sistema de Informação sobre mortalidadehttps://datasus.saude.gov.br/mortalidade-desde-1996-pela-cid-10
Homicide mortality rate (age-adjusted per 100,000 inhabitants); women3.62022Ministério da Saúde. Sistema de Informação sobre mortalidadehttps://datasus.saude.gov.br/mortalidade-desde-1996-pela-cid-10
Suicide mortality rate (age-adjusted per 100,000 inhabitants); total8.22022Ministério da Saúde. Sistema de Informação sobre mortalidadehttps://datasus.saude.gov.br/mortalidade-desde-1996-pela-cid-10
Suicide mortality rate (age-adjusted per 100,000 inhabitants); men13.12022Ministério da Saúde. Sistema de Informação sobre mortalidadehttps://datasus.saude.gov.br/mortalidade-desde-1996-pela-cid-10
Suicide mortality rate (age-adjusted per 100,000 inhabitants); women3.42022Ministério da Saúde. Sistema de Informação sobre mortalidadehttps://datasus.saude.gov.br/mortalidade-desde-1996-pela-cid-10
Tuberculosis mortality rate (age-adjusted per 100,000 inhabitants); total2.72022Ministério da Saúde. Boletim Epidemiológico de Tuberculose, Número Especial, março 2024https://www.gov.br/saude/pt-br/centrais-de-conteudo/publicacoes/boletins/epidemiologicos/especiais/2024/boletim-epidemiologico-de-tuberculose-numero-especial-mar-2024.pdf/view
Tuberculosis mortality rate (age-adjusted per 100,000 inhabitants); total2.32011Ministério da Saúde. Boletim Epidemiológico de Tuberculose, Número Especial, março 2022https://www.gov.br/saude/pt-br/centrais-de-conteudo/publicacoes/boletins/epidemiologicos/especiais/2022/boletim-epidemiologico-de-tuberculose-numero-especial-marco-2022.pdf/view
AIDS mortality rate (age-adjusted per 100,000 inhabitants); total4.12022Ministério da Saúde. Boletim Epidemiológico Especial. HIV/Aids 2023https://www.gov.br/saude/pt-br/centrais-de-conteudo/publicacoes/boletins/epidemiologicos/especiais/2023/boletim-epidemiologico-de-hiv-aids-numero-especial-dez-2023/view
AIDS mortality rate (age-adjusted per 100,000 inhabitants); total5.72010Ministério da Saúde. Boletim Epidemiológico Especial. HIV/Aids 2021https://www.gov.br/saude/pt-br/centrais-de-conteudo/publicacoes/boletins/epidemiologicos/especiais/2021/boletim-epidemiologico-especial-hiv-aids-2021.pdf/view

The sources of the interagency indicators used in this profile can be found in this table.

For the latest data on health indicators for the Region of the Americas, be sure to visit the PAHO Core Indicators portal.

Country COVID-19 Perspective

Measures to achieve universal health coverage

The Federal Constitution of 1988 establishes that health is a right of all and a duty of the State. The Unified Health System (SUS) was created along with the Federal Constitution of 1988,  and among its guiding principles are universal and comprehensive access to health services, the promotion of equality, decentralization of management, and social participation. Brazil's health system is structured as a system providing universal access for all of the country’s inhabitants.

In this regard, the public authorities have promoted various rules and actions with the aim of enhancing the health and well-being of all inhabitants through the formulation and implementation of public health policies based on the principles of universality, comprehensiveness, and equity. These include:

  • Institutional Strategic Planning 2020–2023, Ministry of Health.  
  • National Health Plan 2020–2023 (PNS 2020–2023).  
  • 16th National Health Conference (held in Brasilia by the National Health Council in August 2019). 
     

Challenges related to population health

Among the most important challenges that the country still faces is the need to strengthen management of the SUS, in order to ensure access to equitable and quality health goods and services at the federal, state, and municipal levels. Given that the SUS is one of the largest public health systems in the world, the task of managing it is not an easy one. Although in its three decades of existence the SUS has brought about numerous advances in Brazilian society, it still needs to be improved and strengthened.

Measures to reduce inequalities in health

In general, and particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic, public policy efforts in this area have been supported by a set of regulations and initiatives, including the following:

  • The Federal Constitution of 1988, Article 3, paragraph III, which deals with eradicating poverty and marginalization, and reducing social and regional inequalities.  
  • Law No. 8080  of 19 September 1990, which regulates the SUS and provides, among other things, the conditions for promotion, protection, and recovery of health, and for the organization and operation of the corresponding health services. Among the guiding principles of the SUS are universality, equity, and comprehensiveness in the area of health.
  • PNS 2020–2023 and the Multi-year Plan of the Union 2020–2023 (PPA 2020–2023),  two planning instruments for federal public administration policies in the area of health.
  • The Bolsa Familia (Family Grant) Program,  under the Ministry of Citizenship, aimed at combating poverty and inequality in the country. Created in October 2003, it has three main axes: supplementary income, access to various rights, and linkage with other initiatives aimed at promoting the development of Brazilian families.
  • The Auxílio Brasil Program, of 2021, which integrates several public policies on social assistance, health, education, employment, and income. This is defined as a direct and indirect income transfer program aimed at “families in poverty and extreme poverty throughout the country.” In addition to guaranteeing a basic income, the program seeks to “simplify the basket of benefits and promote the emancipation of these families, so that they can achieve autonomy and overcome situations of social vulnerability.”

National strategy to address inequalities in health

The SUS is the main public policy for social inclusion in the country and is one of the main tools for reducing inequality among the country's inhabitants. During efforts to combat COVID-19, it clearly demonstrated the importance of having a free and universal public health system. All indications are that the response to the disease was exemplary, owing mainly to the increase in hospital beds, the creation of a guide to orient health professionals, and improvements to the surveillance system. 

Another strategy specific to Brazil is the effort to strengthen participatory governance among states, municipalities, and communities, through institutions created and regulated by law, such as the National Council of Health Secretaries, the National Council of Municipal Health Secretariats, and the National Health Council, providing for a comprehensive approach to implementing public health policies. 

The national plans, particularly PNS 2020–2023 and PPA 2020–2023, envisage a variety of actions to reduce health inequalities. To this end, the various initiatives have focused on increasing access to primary health care services, specialized care, medicines, strategic supplies, and new technologies; strengthening the control of preventable diseases and injuries; and fostering the protection, promotion, and recovery of the health of vulnerable populations, as well as management and organization of the health system.