Catalina Espinosa
Research expert covering society, economy, and politics for Europe and the EU
Migration in Brazil - statistics & facts
Since its founding in 1822, Brazil has been an attractive immigration destination for many nationals of other countries. During the 19th and 20th centuries, the country was the target of large landings of Portuguese and Italian immigrants. However, with the onset of the Lost Decade in the 1980s, and hyperinflation in the 1990s, Brazil has ceased to be a country of destination and has become a country of emigration. In 2021, it was estimated that more than four million Brazilians lived in various regions of the world, with North America being the top region of choice for the diaspora.
Over the past three years, the number of migrants registered in the country has steadily increased. Records show that migrants from Venezuela make up the large majority of new migrants arriving in the country. However, this increase has led to a decrease in the average monthly income of immigrants since 2011, despite most of them having completed secondary or higher educations.
Regardless of the increase in refugees and migrants, the Brazilian population believes that their presence in the country is more beneficial than harmful.
Emigration from Brazil
The Brazilian population has a generally favorable opinion of the United States. It is, therefore, not surprising that this nation is home to the largest community outside of Brazil. Migration to the U.S. became attractive to this community in the 1980s as its members sought advantageous economic opportunities. With the establishment of an emigration route, New York and Boston have become the epicenter of the country's diaspora, as they are the consulates with the highest number of registered Brazilians in the North American country. After centuries of being the destination state for the Portuguese, Portugal is now, in a reversal of roles, one of the destination countries for the Brazilian community, being home to the largest cluster in Europe. In this nation, the capital, Lisbon, is the preferred location for Brazilian emigrants. In South America, the strong emigration of Brazilians to areas of Paraguay, such as Ciudad del Este, led to the creation of a specific term for the population with ties to both countries, Brasiguayos.Immigration and refugees
In the second decade of the 21st century, Brazil experienced a change in the profile of immigrants seeking to settle in the country. The humanitarian crises in Haiti and Venezuela turned the northern border into a gateway to Brazil, increasing the number of refugees each year. This increase revealed the need to change normative laws, leading to the creation of the 2017 Migration Law and specific programs such as Operation Welcome in Roraima. Although not all migrants arriving in the country have their refugee applications accepted, Lula's government has increased the number of applications granted, with around 56 percent of applications being granted in 2023.Over the past three years, the number of migrants registered in the country has steadily increased. Records show that migrants from Venezuela make up the large majority of new migrants arriving in the country. However, this increase has led to a decrease in the average monthly income of immigrants since 2011, despite most of them having completed secondary or higher educations.
Regardless of the increase in refugees and migrants, the Brazilian population believes that their presence in the country is more beneficial than harmful.
