Case Study - 2.b. Corridors of migrant flows create interdependence between countries - Brazil - EDC

Location of Brazil

- Central South America

- Borders all countries apart from Ecuador and Chile

- Biggest country on continent

- Spans very far north to south so climate varies

How does Brazil's location impact on past and present migration flows?

- It borders nearly all countries in South America making physical access from countries which share the border easier

- largest coastline in South America enabling access for trade

Brazil is the Xth largest economy in the world...

- 9th

- Leading power in south america

Has GDP per capita increased from 2002 to 2017?

- yes, from 2,800 dollars to 9,800

Brazil's population and population structure

- 214.4 million of which 88.9% live in urban areas

- large multi ethnic population -> 45%

- largely working age population with fewer children

How will this change in the future?

- Eventually will become an ageing population when population growth declines and enters stage 4 of dtm

how will an ageing population affect Brazil in the future?

- Lower tax base due to the increase in expense of pensions in addition to a smaller working force

Current patterns of immigration

- Immigration has slowed in the last 15 years

- 80 000 fewer immigrants than start of the century

- Open door policy

current patterns of emigration

- Emigration has increased, currently 4 million brazilians living abroad

- largest share being in the USA due to the close physical location, better job opportunities

- however, slowing down of lower skilled migrants to usa and increase of highly skilled workers to Europe, USA and Japan whilst Brazil's economy is becoming more desirable relative to the USA

what are the changes in immigration and emigration?

- In 1500s Portugal colonised Brazil and exploited its natural resources, many enslaved africans forced to immigrate to Brazil -> largest afro population outside of AFrica

- in 1888, government subsidised workers to come over mainly from Japan, Portugal, Germany Italy to replace enslaved labour and thus surged immigration

- late 1800s, large surge of Japanese immigrants largest diaspora outside japan 2.1 million

- Brazil shifts from agricultural immigration to urban-industrial migration. Brazilians moving to the US, Europe, and Japan.

- Economic crises in the 1980s–1990s push millions of Brazilians abroad, especially to the US, Portugal, and Japan.

- Immigration into Brazil decreases, though recent arrivals include Latin Americans

how does migration impact Brazil's economic development?

- highly skilled professionals with employment contracts have contributed to entrepreneurship, innovation and reducing gaps in the market thus improving efficiency and productivity

- emigration has resulted in migrant remittances to Brazil contributing to development. $4.9 billion in 2024 which contributes 1% of GDP and development

- immigration brought higher agriculture efficiency in 1920 accelerating the transition from an agricultural economy to an industrial economy because fewer workers for agriculture were needed and were able to optimise for industry

subsidised to replace enslaved labour in 1888

how does migration impact political stability?

- stable and democratic -> leading member of the BRICS a group of emerging economies

- mercosur has helped south american integration and promotes political stability. It serves primarily as a trading bloc which there is a flow of trade, capital and labour migration

- stable relationships and bilateral flows e.g. with japan and portugal

- Brazil receives environmental and political refugees and accepts responsibility for their welfare, provides visas and working permits

- unmanaged influxes of migrants can create pressure on public services

how does migration impact Brazil's social equality?

- poverty concentrated in rural areas or favelas to which mainly the poor migrants reside

- prejudice and discrimination in labour market against indigeneous and black people

- inequalities exist between ethnic groups e.g. housing, access to services and educational entertainment

- housing shortages -> 14.6 million in 12,348 favelas

- BOLSA FAMILIA increasing access to housing and services

- Brazil's policies permit access to public education etc

what is the interdependence between Brazil and Portugal?

- Bilateral relationship

- Brazil was a former colony of Portugal and now brazilians have been granted special status into europe which has increased trade and fostered direct investment, partnerships and a shared labour market

- ease of movement through language and family which enables integration

- social diasporas and remittances

interdependence between brazil and the USA

- 4 million immigrants from brazil in the usa

- many low skilled economic migrants in the USA remit significant monies and returning migrants contribute to development with brazil

- highly skilled brazilians increasingly finding opportunity to work in the USA

- they both actively ngeotiate agreements in education finance and defense

- USAID supports Brazil in environmental projects

interdependence between brazil and Haiti

- National immigration council for Brazil enables Haitan immigrants to obtain visas easily

- benefit to haitians found it difficult to recover from 2010 earthquake and hurricane sandy in 2010

- continues as Haitans seek to escape corruption, unemployment, poverty and search for better education

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