BRAZIL EDC - migration and interdependence

• overview of brazil


  7th largest economy in the world and leading economic power in latin america

  emerging economy and experienced significant increase in GDP per capita from $4900 in 2007 to $5800 in 2014

  declining birth rate and ageing population
• brazil migration patterns


  net migration LOSS of 500,000 in each 4 year period until 2010-14 where it slowed to 190,000

  increased migration between brazil and neighbouring countries - especially mercosur members

  slowing down of emigration of lower skilled economic migrants to USA

  increased emigration of highly skilled workers to europe, usa and japan

  influx of migrants from haiti and increasingly african countries

  rise in number of international labour migrants attracted by construction industry for 2014 world cup and 2016 olympics

  strong internal migration from northeast to southeast
• changes in migration in brazil over time

  late 19th - 20th century = net recipient of migrants

  periods where europeans attracted to work in agricultural sector, especially coffee cultivation

  japanese migrants long drawn towards agricultural and industrial sectors

  economic migration between near neighbours paraguay and argentina has always been relatively high

  political crises have led to migration from bolivia, angola and lebanon

  immigration slowed in last 15 years - 80,000 less immigrants living in brazil than at the start of the century and emigration increased to 1.8 million
• changes in migration to and from brazil over time

  USA has largest population overseas mainly for economic reasons

  many brazilians of japanese decent have emigrated to japan due to employment opportunities and strong cultural links
• brazil and portugal - economic, political, social and environmental interdependence

  long standing bilateral relationship

  brazil former portugal colony and portuguese government gives special status to brazilian migrants

  portugal seen as gateway for EU entry for economic migrants

  shared language, ancestry and family ties contribute to ease of integration in both countries

  reciprocal migration supported by well developed social diaspora networks in both countries
• brazil and usa - economic, political, social and environmental interdependence

  many thousands of low skilled economic migrants working in usa are able to remit significant monies, while returning migrants having acquired skills and knowledge are able to contribute to brazilian development

  highly skilled brazilians increasingly working in us service sector

  strong links in education and teacher training

  usa negotiated agreements with brazil regarding agriculture, trade, finance, education and defence

  USAID gives support to brazil in wide range of environmental projects
• brazil and haiti - economic, political, social and environmental interdependence 


  National Immigration Council for brazil enables haitain immigrants to obtain VISA's easily in haiti, reducing vulnerability to trafficking networks

  beneficial to haitains who found it difficult to recover from 2010 earthquake and 2012 hurricane

  number of immigrants grew from 1680 to 11,000 in 3 years and continues to rise as haitains attempt to escape political instability, unemployment, poverty, poor access to education and poor human rights

  many intend to join friends/relatives in southeast brazil
• impact of migration on brazils economic development

  waves of immigration in different periods have contributed to growth in agriculture and manufacturing

  recent arrivals of highly skilled professionals with employment contracts have contributed to entrepreneurship, innovation and reducing gaps in labour market

  emigration resulted in migrant remittances, used for housing improvements, education and general consumption, contributing to development at all scales
• impact of migration on brazils political stability

  brazil has stable and democratic political system and is leading member of MERCOSUR

  membership of MERCOSUR ( trading bloc ) has helped south american integration and promotion of political stability

  stable political relationships between brazil and countries it has significant bilateral flows with

  important receiver of environmental and political refugees and as a stable government, accepts responsibility for their welfare and employment prospects
• impact of migration of brazils social equality

  UNESCO - inequalities in society between different ethnic groups in housing provision, access to services, educational attainment and income - brazilians of african descent most affected

  inequalities have spatial perspective with poverty concentrated in rural areas or in favelas where poor migrate

  prejudice and discrimination in labour market, especially against black and indigenous populations, impeding their full economic, political and social development