From 1990 to 2024, the population of the city of Rio de Janeiro grew almost every year, from approximately 5.5 million to 6.7 million residents, which is an increase of 22 percent. The data shows several fluctuations; however, these may be attributed to changes in methodology. It is unclear whether the changes shown in the 2022 census are due to counting methodologies, or if it is representative of the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. Growth of the population The city of Rio de Janeiro has consistently had a higher birth rate than the death rate, although the gap between these two indicators is narrowing. In 2023, 9.3 births were registered per 1,000 inhabitants of Rio, while in the same period a rate of 8.4 deaths per 1,000 inhabitants was reported. The surrounding of the city Considering the entire metropolitan area of Rio de Janeiro, the region is home to approximately 13 million people. Rio's population is aging, with about eight million people over the age of 30 and half this value between the ages of 30 and 49. In the most recent census, whites made up nearly 44 percent of the population, followed by Pardo Brazilians, who composed about 37 percent of all residents.

Chart and table of population level and growth rate for the Rio de Janeiro, Brazil metro area from 1950 to 2025.

The history of modern Brazil begins in the year 1500 when Pedro Álvares Cabral arrived with a small fleet and claimed the land for the Portuguese Empire. With the Treaty of Torsedillas in 1494, Spain and Portugal agreed to split the New World peacefully, thus allowing Portugal to take control of the area with little competition from other European powers. As the Portuguese did not arrive with large numbers, and the indigenous population was overwhelmed with disease, large numbers of African slaves were transported across the Atlantic and forced to harvest or mine Brazil's wealth of natural resources. These slaves were forced to work in sugar, coffee and rubber plantations and gold and diamond mines, which helped fund Portuguese expansion across the globe. In modern history, transatlantic slavery brought more Africans to Brazil than any other country in the world. This combination of European, African and indigenous peoples set the foundation for what has become one of the most ethnically diverse countries across the globe.

Independence and Monarchy By the early eighteenth century, Portugal had established control over most of modern-day Brazil, and the population more than doubled in each half of the 1800s. The capital of the Portuguese empire was moved to Rio de Janeiro in 1808 (as Napoleon's forces moved closer towards Lisbon), making this the only time in European history where a capital was moved to another continent. The United Kingdom of Portugal, Brazil and the Algarves was established in 1815, and when the Portuguese monarchy and capital returned to Lisbon in 1821, the King's son, Dom Pedro, remained in Brazil as regent. The following year, Dom Pedro declared Brazil's independence, and within three years, most other major powers (including Portugal) recognized the Empire of Brazil as an independent monarchy and formed economic relations with it; this was a much more peaceful transition to independence than many of the ex-Spanish colonies in the Americas. Under the reign of Dom Pedro II, Brazil's political stability remained relatively intact, and the economy grew through its exportation of raw materials and economic alliances with Portugal and Britain. Despite pressure from political opponents, Pedro II abolished slavery in 1850 (as part of a trade agreement with Britain), and Brazil remained a powerful, stable and progressive nation under Pedro II's leadership, in stark contrast to its South American neighbors. The booming economy also attracted millions of migrants from Europe and Asia around the turn of the twentieth century, which has had a profound impact on Brazil's demography and culture to this day.

The New Republic

Despite his popularity, King Pedro II was overthrown in a military coup in 1889, ending his 58 year reign and initiating six decades of political instability and economic difficulties. A series of military coups, failed attempts to restore stability, and the decline of Brazil's overseas influence contributed greatly to a weakened economy in the early 1900s. The 1930s saw the emergence of Getúlio Vargas, who ruled as a fascist dictator for two decades. Despite a growing economy and Brazil's alliance with the Allied Powers in the Second World War, the end of fascism in Europe weakened Vargas' position in Brazil, and he was eventually overthrown by the military, who then re-introduced democracy to Brazil in 1945. Vargas was then elected to power in 1951, and remained popular among the general public, however political opposition to his beliefs and methods led to his suicide in 1954. Further political instability ensued and a brutal, yet prosperous, military dictatorship took control in the 1960s and 1970s, but Brazil gradually returned to a democratic nation in the 1980s. Brazil's economic and political stability fluctuated over the subsequent four decades, and a corruption scandal in the 2010s saw the impeachment of President Dilma Rousseff. Despite all of this economic instability and political turmoil, Brazil is one of the world's largest economies and is sometimes seen as a potential superpower. The World Bank classifies it as a upper-middle income country and it has the largest share of global wealth in Latin America. It is the largest Lusophone (Portuguese-speaking), and sixth most populous country in the world, with a population of more than 210 million people.

The Brazilian infrastructure market, valued at approximately $XX million in 2025, is projected to experience robust growth with a Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) exceeding 5% from 2025 to 2033. This expansion is driven by several key factors. Firstly, significant government investments in social infrastructure projects, encompassing transportation networks, water management systems, and telecommunications upgrades, are creating substantial demand. Secondly, Brazil's burgeoning urban centers, particularly Sao Paulo, Rio de Janeiro, and Salvador, require substantial infrastructure development to accommodate population growth and economic activity. Furthermore, the increasing adoption of advanced technologies and sustainable construction practices within the industry are fostering efficiency and attracting further investment. However, challenges remain, including bureaucratic hurdles, potential funding constraints for certain projects, and the need for ongoing improvements in project management and regulatory frameworks to ensure timely completion. The market is segmented by infrastructure type (social infrastructure, transportation, waterways, telecoms, manufacturing) and by key cities. Major players such as Bayer AG, COBRA Group, Braskem, and Andrade Gutierrez, among others, are actively shaping the market landscape. While precise figures for individual segment sizes aren't available, the strong overall growth suggests that all segments are contributing positively to the market's expansion. The forecast period (2025-2033) anticipates continued growth fueled by ongoing urbanization, industrialization, and government initiatives aimed at modernizing Brazil's infrastructure base. Analyzing this data reveals both immense opportunity and the need for effective mitigation of potential obstacles to achieve sustained and equitable development. The robust growth projections indicate a significant and lucrative market for both domestic and international investors. Key drivers for this market are: Continued Expansion of Higher Education, The Surge in the Number of International Students. Potential restraints include: Affordability and Shortage of Supply, High Cost for International Students. Notable trends are: Increasing Investments in Infrastructure Sector.