Geography
Location: Eastern South America, bordering the Atlantic Ocean.
CIA 2026
Data as of May 5, 2026
Brazil
South AmericaGlobal Leader
Globally, Brazil places #4 in renewable energy. Ready to explore more about Brazil?
Globally, Brazil places #4 in renewable energy. This ranking reflects a standout track record. Ready to explore more about Brazil?
-10.0, -55.0 - South America
Area
8.5M km²
Pop.
221.36M
Stats
127
Reality brief
Brazil is a country in South America with a population of 221.36M and an area of 8,515,767 km². Life expectancy is 75.8 years.
Short factual summary generated from the same country data used in game rounds.
Core numbers
Stats worth knowing
Fast scan first, deep dive later.
Land Area
8.36M km²#5globally
Total land area in square kilometers, excluding lakes, rivers, and territorial waters.
University Enrollment Rate
60.39%#56globally
Total university and college enrollment as a percentage of the typical college-age population.
Internet Users (%)
84.46%#94globally
The percentage of people who have used the internet in the last 3 months.
Human Development Index
0.79#84globally
Composite 0-1 index of life expectancy, education, and income, from Our World in Data using the latest available country values in TerraBrawl.
Life Expectancy
75.8 years#95globally
How many years a newborn can expect to live, based on current mortality rates.
Country briefing
Grounded facts about Brazil
A quick real-world briefing before you dive deeper into rankings, surprises, and matchups.
Culture
Major languages include Portuguese (official and most widely spoken language); less common languages include Spanish (border areas and schools), German, Italian, Japanes…
CIA 2026
Identity
Formal name: Federative Republic of Brazil.
CIA 2026
Cities
Cities in Brazil
Browse this country's cities before City Detective asks you to guess.
Fortaleza
Ceara, Brazil
Famous86/100
Open city guide
Salvador
Bahia, Brazil
Famous86/100
Open city guide
Manaus
Amazonas, Brazil
Famous81/100
Open city guide
Brasília
Federal District, Brazil
Famous100/100
Open city guide
Rio de Janeiro
Brazil
Famous100/100
Open city guide
Sao Paulo
Brazil
Famous100/100
Open city guide
Curitiba
Parana, Brazil
Famous85/100
Open city guide
Porto Alegre
Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil
Famous85/100
Open city guide
Top stats
Where They Stand Out
The strongest source-backed stats before the deeper data table.
Forest Area
4.93M km²#2globallyTop stat
Total forest area in square kilometers, including natural and planted trees at least 5 meters tall.
Airports
5.6K#2globallyTop stat
Large, medium, and small airport records by country from the open OurAirports dataset.
Inequality (Gini)
51.6#2globallyTop stat
A measure of income inequality where 0 means everyone earns the same and 100 means one person has everything.
Land Border Length
16.1K km#3globallyTop stat
Total length of land borders with neighboring countries from the frozen public-domain CIA World Factbook snapshot.
Electric Generating Capacity
240.25M kW#7globallyTop stat
Installed electricity generating capacity in kilowatts from the frozen public-domain CIA World Factbook snapshot.
Reality checks
Did You Know?
The stats that tend to surprise players in real rounds.
Ranks #5 globally in irrigated land
#591.8K km²Irrigated Land
Irrigated land area from CIA World Factbook.
Ranks #8 globally in armed forces personnel
#8762.0KArmed Forces Personnel
Total armed forces personnel from the World Bank latest available country value.
Ranks #10 globally in gdp (nominal)
#10$2,185,821,648,943.86GDP (Nominal)
The country's total economic output in current US dollars.
Ranks #4 globally in renewable energy (%)
#449.62%Renewable Energy (%)
Share of final energy consumption supplied by renewable energy, from Our World in Data using the latest available country values in TerraBrawl.
Has one of the highest total co2 emissions figures
#12491.47 Mt CO2eTotal CO2 Emissions
Total carbon dioxide emissions excluding LULUCF from the World Bank latest available country value.
Compared with the region
How Brazil Compares
Country vs continent vs world averages
Brazil
South America avg
World avg
GDP per Capita
GDP per person, adjusted for purchasing power parity (PPP) so costs of living are comparable across countries.
- Country
- $22,338.48
- Region avg
- $23,608.58
- World avg
- $31,844.55
Brazil$22,338.48
South America$23,608.58
World$31,844.55
-30% below worldWB 2023
Life Expectancy
How many years a newborn can expect to live, based on current mortality rates.
- Country
- 75.8 years
- Region avg
- 76.3 years
- World avg
- 73.7 years
Brazil75.8 years
South America76.3 years
World73.7 years
+3% above worldWB 2023
Human Development Index
Composite 0-1 index of life expectancy, education, and income, from Our World in Data using the latest available country values in TerraBrawl.
- Country
- 0.79
- Region avg
- 0.81
- World avg
- 0.74
Brazil0.79
South America0.81
World0.74
+6% above worldOWID 2023
Internet Users
The percentage of people who have used the internet in the last 3 months.
- Country
- 84.46%
- Region avg
- 85.63%
- World avg
- 70.29%
Brazil84.46%
South America85.63%
World70.29%
+20% above worldWB 2023
Think you can guess which countries rank higher?
Play this countryFactbook notes
About Brazil
Country briefing
After more than three centuries under Portuguese rule, Brazil gained its independence in 1822, maintaining a monarchical system of government until the abolition of slavery in 1888 and the subsequent proclamation of a republic by the military in 1889.
Read the full Factbook note
After more than three centuries under Portuguese rule, Brazil gained its independence in 1822, maintaining a monarchical system of government until the abolition of slavery in 1888 and the subsequent proclamation of a republic by the military in 1889. Brazilian coffee exporters politically dominated the country until populist leader Getúlio VARGAS rose to power in 1930. VARGAS governed through various versions of democratic and authoritarian regimes from 1930 to 1945. Democratic rule returned in 1945 -- including a democratically elected VARGAS administration from 1951 to 1954 -- and lasted until 1964, when the military overthrew President João GOULART. The military regime censored journalists and repressed and tortured dissidents in the late 1960s and early 1970s. The dictatorship lasted until 1985, when the military regime peacefully ceded power to civilian rulers, and the Brazilian Congress passed its current constitution in 1988.
By far the largest and most populous country in South America, Brazil continues to pursue industrial and agricultural growth and development of its interior. Having successfully weathered a period of global financial difficulty in the late 20th century, Brazil was soon seen as one of the world's strongest emerging markets and a contributor to global growth under President Luiz Inácio LULA da Silva (2003-2010). The awarding of the 2014 FIFA World Cup and 2016 Summer Olympic Games -- the first ever to be held in South America -- to Brazil was symbolic of the country's rise. However, from about 2013 to 2016, Brazil was plagued by a sagging economy, high unemployment, and high inflation, only emerging from recession in 2017. Congress removed then-President Dilma ROUSSEFF (2011-2016) from office in 2016 for having committed impeachable acts against Brazil's budgetary laws, and her vice president, Michel TEMER, served the remainder of her second term. A money-laundering investigation, Operation Lava Jato, uncovered a vast corruption scheme and prosecutors charged several high-profile Brazilian politicians with crimes. Former President LULA was convicted of accepting bribes and served jail time (2018-19), although his conviction was overturned in 2021. LULA's revival became complete in 2022 when he narrowly defeated incumbent Jair BOLSONARO (2019-2022) in the presidential election. Positioning Brazil as an independent global leader on climate change and promoting sustainable development, LULA took on the 2024 G20 presidency, balancing the fight against deforestation with sustainable energy and other projects designed to alleviate poverty and promote economic growth, such as expanding fossil fuel exploration.
Geography & Climate6 facts
- Location
- Eastern South America, bordering the Atlantic Ocean
- Climate
- mostly tropical, but temperate in south
- Terrain
- mostly flat to rolling lowlands in north; some plains, hills, mountains, and narrow coastal belt
- Natural Resources
- alumina, bauxite, beryllium, gold, iron ore, manganese, nickel, niobium, phosphates, platinum, tantalum, tin, rare earth elements, uranium, petroleum, hydropower, timber
- Natural Hazards
- recurring droughts in northeast; floods and occasional frost in south
- Size Comparison
- slightly smaller than the US
People & Culture4 facts
- Languages
- Portuguese (official and most widely spoken language); less common languages include Spanish (border areas and schools), German, Italian, Japanese, English, and many minor Amerindian languages
- Religions
- Roman Catholic 56.8%, Evangelical 26.9%, none 9.3%, other 4%, Spirtism (Espírita) 1.8%, unspecified 1.4%, Umbanda and Candomblé 1.1%, Indigenous religions .06%, undeclared 0.2% (2022)
- Ethnic Groups
- mixed 45.3%, White 43.5%, Black 10.2%, Indigenous 0.6%, Asian 0.4% (2022 est.)
- Major Cities
- 22.620 million São Paulo, 13.728 million Rio de Janeiro, 6.248 million Belo Horizonte, 4.873 million BRASÍLIA (capital), 4.264 million Recife, 4.212 million Porto Alegre (2023)
Government & History10 facts
- Government Type
- federal presidential republic
- Capital
- Brasília
- Capital Coordinates
- 15 47 S, 47 55 W
- Capital Timezone
- UTC-3 (2 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time)
- Official Name
- Federative Republic of Brazil
- Name Origin
- the country name derives from the brazil tree that used to grow plentifully along the coast of Brazil and that was used to produce a deep red dye
- Independence
- 7 September 1822 (from Portugal)
- National Symbols
- Southern Cross constellation
- National Anthem
- "Hino Nacional Brasileiro" (Brazilian National Anthem)
- UNESCO Heritage
- 24 (15 cultural, 9 natural, 1 mixed)
Economy & Trade7 facts
- Overview
- upper-middle-income, largest Latin American economy; Mercosur, BRICS, G20 member and OECD accession candidate; growth driven by strong domestic consumption; monetary tightening helping curb inflation rate; high inequality in income and access to health and education
- Industries
- textiles, shoes, chemicals, cement, lumber, iron ore, tin, steel, aircraft, motor vehicles and parts, other machinery and equipment
- Agricultural Products
- sugarcane, soybeans, maize, milk, cassava, oranges, chicken, beef, rice, wheat (2023)
- Export Partners
- China 30%, USA 10%, Argentina 5%, Netherlands 3%, Chile 2% (2023)
- Export Commodities
- soybeans, crude petroleum, iron ore, raw sugar, corn (2023)
- Import Partners
- China 23%, USA 16%, Germany 5%, Argentina 5%, Russia 4% (2023)
- Import Commodities
- refined petroleum, fertilizers, crude petroleum, vehicle parts/accessories, gas turbines (2023)
Infrastructure & Defense5 facts
- Military Forces
- Brazilian Armed Forces (Forças Armadas Brasileiras): Brazilian Army (Exercito Brasileiro, EB), Brazilian Navy (Marinha do Brasil; includes Naval Aviation (Aviacao Naval Brasileira) and Marine Corps (Corpo de Fuzileiros Navais)), Brazilian Air Force (Forca Aerea Brasileira) (2025)
- Military Service
- 18-45 years of age for compulsory military service for men (only 5-10% of those inducted are required to serve); compulsory service obligation is generally 12 months; 17-45 (18 for women) years of age for voluntary service (2025)
- Energy Mix
- fossil fuels: 8.9% of total installed capacity (2023 est.); nuclear: 2.1% of total installed capacity (2023 est.); solar: 6.9% of total installed capacity (2023 est.); wind: 13.5% of total installed capacity (2023 est.); hydroelectricity: 60.2% of total installed capacity (2023 est.); biomass and waste: 8.3% of total installed capacity (2023 est.)
- Broadcast Media
- state-run Radiobras operates a radio and a TV network; more than 1,000 radio stations and more than 100 TV channels operating, mostly privately owned; private media ownership highly concentrated (2022)
- Space Program
- develops, builds, operates, and tracks satellites, including communications, remote sensing (RS), multi-mission, navigational, and scientific/testing/research; satellites are launched by foreign partners, but Brazil has a long-standing sounding (research) rocket and satellite launch vehicle (SLV) program and rocket launch facilities; cooperates with a variety of foreign space agencies and commercial entities, including those of Argentina, Canada, the ESA, individual ESA member states (particularly France and Germany), India, Japan, Russia, South Africa, South Korea, Ukraine, and the US; has a state-controlled communications company that operates Brazil's communications satellites and a growing commercial space sector (2025)
Source:World Factbook archive 2026
Data vault
Deep Dive
Every tracked stat, grouped for fast scanning.
Environment9 statsBest: #2
Forest Area
Irrigated Land
91.8K km²#5
Renewable Energy (%)
Total CO2 Emissions
Forest Coverage (%)
Protected Land (%)
CO2 Per Capita
Electricity Access (%)
Air Pollution (PM2.5)
Infrastructure3 statsBest: #2
Society & Equality2 statsBest: #2
Land & Sea4 statsBest: #3
Land Border Length
16.1K km#3
Coastline Length
7.5K km#17
Lowest Elevation
0 m#57
Highest Elevation
3.0K m#68
Demographics12 statsBest: #5
Land Area
Population
Urban Population (%)
Teen Birth Rate
Elderly Population (%)
Median Age
Death Rate
Birth Rate
Youth Population (%)
Fertility Rate
Population Density
Dependency Ratio
Energy2 statsBest: #7
Electric Generating Capacity
240.25M kW#7
Nuclear Electricity Share
2.2%#31
Military & Defense2 statsBest: #8
Education & Future6 statsBest: #9
Wealth & Economy10 statsBest: #10
GDP (Nominal)
Government Debt (% GDP)
Unemployment Rate
High-Tech Exports (%)
Inflation Rate
FDI Inflows (% GDP)
Youth Unemployment Rate
GDP Per Capita
GDP Per Capita (PPP)
GDP Growth Rate
Lifestyle4 statsBest: #10
Health & Survival9 statsBest: #42
Health Spending (% GDP)
Obesity Rate
Doctors (per 1,000)
Life Expectancy
Suicide Rate
Hospital Beds (per 1,000)
Child Mortality
Infant Mortality
Smoking Rate
Keep exploring
Related Countries
Compare Brazil vs neighbors
Open the head-to-head pages people naturally search after reading this profile.
Where Brazil leads
Jump straight to the rankings where this country has its strongest edge.
Countries with Similar GDP
Share a country stat
Turn Brazil's strongest number into a challenge card.
Brazil
#5 in Land Area
Total land area in square kilometers, excluding lakes, rivers, and territorial waters.
Top 5% globally
8.36M km²
Frequently Asked Questions about Brazil
What is the population of Brazil?
Brazil has a population of 221.36M, ranking #7 globally by population.
What continent is Brazil in?
Brazil is located in South America. It has an area of 8,515,767 km².
What is the life expectancy in Brazil?
Life expectancy in Brazil is 75.8 years, ranking #95 globally.
What is the GDP per capita of Brazil?
Brazil's GDP per capita (PPP) is $22,338.48, ranking #93 globally.
What is Brazil known for in global statistics?
Brazil ranks particularly high in Land Area (#5), Population (#7), University Enrollment Rate (#56).
What is Brazil's Human Development Index?
Brazil has an HDI of 0.786, ranking #84 globally. The HDI combines life expectancy, education, and income indicators.
How densely populated is Brazil?
Brazil has a population density of 25.3 people per km², ranking #180 globally.