Population
The population of Brazil is approximately 200 million, of which 62% are young adults ageing 29 years old below. It has a high birth rate and the country foresees problems in the years to come.
Demographics:
Demographics:
Young Growing Population: Potential Problems:
Brazil has a relatively high young population, with a high percentage of people under the age of 15, resulting in a need to invest more in schools. With a rapidly growing young community, the young adult population is also increasing quickly. Competition in the workforce will be high and there will not be enough jobs for everyone, resulting in high unemployment rates - approximately 68% of people aged 15 to 64 in Brazil have a paid job.
Life Expectancy:
The average life expectancy in Brazil is 74 years - specifically 71.3 years for men and 78.5 years for women. However, it is estimated that by 2041, the average life expectancy of both men and women will be more than 80 years. By then, Brazil will be dealing with an ageing population, with greater demands on pensions and health care.
Fertility Rate:
The fertility rate dropped from 6 children per woman to fewer than 2 over the past 50 years - lower than the replacement rate of 2.1 to maintain the population. This is mainly because Brazil is moving towards urbanisation. However, one downside of this is that many people from the rural areas of Brazil move to the cities, where big families are a financial strain.
Another reason for the rapidly decreasing fertility rate is that many people are also influenced by Brazil’s soap operas which portray small, glamorous families. One example is Fina Estampa, the most popular Brazil’s television programmes these days.
Also, women choose to have fewer children so that they can invest more in each child. Some experts also believe that urban and middle-class lifestyles reduces family size, while others feel that accessibility to birth control is a major factor. Since 2004, emergency contraception has been widely available for free at public health clinics.
However, it is not expected for this trend will last. Women may just be postponing birth and the number of births will soar when they reach late thirties or forties.
Brazil has a relatively high young population, with a high percentage of people under the age of 15, resulting in a need to invest more in schools. With a rapidly growing young community, the young adult population is also increasing quickly. Competition in the workforce will be high and there will not be enough jobs for everyone, resulting in high unemployment rates - approximately 68% of people aged 15 to 64 in Brazil have a paid job.
Life Expectancy:
The average life expectancy in Brazil is 74 years - specifically 71.3 years for men and 78.5 years for women. However, it is estimated that by 2041, the average life expectancy of both men and women will be more than 80 years. By then, Brazil will be dealing with an ageing population, with greater demands on pensions and health care.
Fertility Rate:
The fertility rate dropped from 6 children per woman to fewer than 2 over the past 50 years - lower than the replacement rate of 2.1 to maintain the population. This is mainly because Brazil is moving towards urbanisation. However, one downside of this is that many people from the rural areas of Brazil move to the cities, where big families are a financial strain.
Another reason for the rapidly decreasing fertility rate is that many people are also influenced by Brazil’s soap operas which portray small, glamorous families. One example is Fina Estampa, the most popular Brazil’s television programmes these days.
Also, women choose to have fewer children so that they can invest more in each child. Some experts also believe that urban and middle-class lifestyles reduces family size, while others feel that accessibility to birth control is a major factor. Since 2004, emergency contraception has been widely available for free at public health clinics.
However, it is not expected for this trend will last. Women may just be postponing birth and the number of births will soar when they reach late thirties or forties.