In the last ten years, between 2001 and 2011, the poorest 10% of the country saw a cumulative growth in income of 91.2%, while the richest portion of the population saw an increase of 16.6% in accumulated income during the same period. Accordingly, the variation in actual earnings was 5.5 times (550%) greater for the most vulnerable section of the Brazilian population.

“Statistically, in 2011, Brazil reached the lowest level of inequality in its history,” said Marcelo Neri, President of the Institute of Applied Economic Research (IPEA), in reference to IPEA Notice No. 155 – The inclusive decade (2001-2011): Inequality, poverty and income policies. The study was developed from the recent 2011 National Household Survey (PNAD), released by the Brazilian Institute of Geography and Statistics (IBGE), and supplemented by unpublished data up to August 2012.

Marcelo Neri said that Brazil has seen a steady growth in income and a reduction in inequality since 2003. He also noted that the nominal adjustment of the minimum wage as well as social programs such as Caring Brazil, Brazil without Misery, My House My Life and other federal government policies act in the same direction to improve income.

12 October 2012