In 2017, Brazil’s gross domestic product reached 2.05 billion U.S. dollars, 63 percent of which came from the services sector. The service sector consists of the provision of services both to other businesses and to final consumers, and the service sector often encompasses transportation, distribution, and sale of goods.

Brazil’s position in the global economy

Nations with economies built on the service sector are considered more advanced than industrial or agricultural economies, and indeed, Brazil is considered an advanced emerging economy with the largest share of wealth in Latin America. Brazil has the eighth largest GDP in the world and is one of the BRICS states (Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa) — certain countries with strong economic development and rising influence on regional affairs.

Brazil’s economic strengths and challenges

Brazil is also known for its agriculture and food production, with its main products including soybeans, beef, and coffee. As of 2018, Brazil is the leading producer of coffee, at over 61 thousand 60 kilogram bags. The country has an estimated 21.8 trillion U.S. dollars of natural resource commodities, including, gold, iron, oil, and timber. However,retrieving them often happens at the expense of the environment, including ongoing deforestation in the Amazon Basin, which contains the largest rainforest in the world.

The statistic shows the distribution of employment in Brazil by economic sector from 2013 to 2023. In 2023, 8.2 percent of the employees in Brazil were active in the agricultural sector, 20.17 percent in industry and 71.63 percent in the service sector.

Brazil Public Sector: Year to Date: % of GDP: Local Government: Uses: Primary data was reported at -0.063 % in Apr 2019. This records an increase from the previous number of -0.103 % for Mar 2019. Brazil Public Sector: Year to Date: % of GDP: Local Government: Uses: Primary data is updated monthly, averaging -0.113 % from Jan 2001 (Median) to Apr 2019, with 220 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 0.192 % in Jan 2009 and a record low of -0.777 % in Jan 2001. Brazil Public Sector: Year to Date: % of GDP: Local Government: Uses: Primary data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by Central Bank of Brazil. The data is categorized under Brazil Premium Database’s Government and Public Finance – Table BR.FA038: Public Sector: Uses and Sources: Local Government: % of Nominal GDP: Year to Date.

Brazil Public Sector Borrowing Requirement: Year-to-Date: % of GDP: Primary: Central Government data was reported at -0.031 % in Apr 2019. This records a decrease from the previous number of 0.309 % for Mar 2019. Brazil Public Sector Borrowing Requirement: Year-to-Date: % of GDP: Primary: Central Government data is updated monthly, averaging -1.918 % from Jan 1991 (Median) to Apr 2019, with 340 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 2.545 % in Dec 2016 and a record low of -7.041 % in Jan 2008. Brazil Public Sector Borrowing Requirement: Year-to-Date: % of GDP: Primary: Central Government data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by Central Bank of Brazil. The data is categorized under Brazil Premium Database’s Government and Public Finance – Table BR.FB005: Public Sector Borrowing Requirement: % of Nominal GDP: Year-to-Date.

In 2022, retail and trade was the sector in Brazil which legally employed the largest number of people, with over 13 million employees. The public administration was the third leading economic sector based on legally employed workforce that year, employing more than 7.87 million people. According to the latest data, nearly 71 percent of employment in the country were located in the services sector.

Brazil Public Sector: Last 12 Months Accumulated: Public Enterprises: Uses: Primary data was reported at -6,463.478 BRL mn in Apr 2019. This records an increase from the previous number of -6,716.539 BRL mn for Mar 2019. Brazil Public Sector: Last 12 Months Accumulated: Public Enterprises: Uses: Primary data is updated monthly, averaging -1,503.458 BRL mn from Nov 2002 (Median) to Apr 2019, with 198 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 6,005.959 BRL mn in Aug 2015 and a record low of -6,716.539 BRL mn in Mar 2019. Brazil Public Sector: Last 12 Months Accumulated: Public Enterprises: Uses: Primary data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by Central Bank of Brazil. The data is categorized under Brazil Premium Database’s Government and Public Finance – Table BR.FA042: Public Sector: Uses and Sources: Public Enterprises: Last 12 Months Accumulated.

As of June 2024, Brazil's public sector had a budget deficit of 43.4 billion Brazilian reals. State-owned companies also posted a deficit, totaling six billion reals.

In 2023, the retail sector alone accounted for approximately 18 percent of the advertising spending in Brazil, making it the industry investing the most in ads in the South American country. The consumer services and the finance and insurance segments followed with shares of around 10 and nine percent, respectively.

In 2023, ******* was the leading business in the agricultural sector in Brazil, based on net revenue. That year, the company generated a revenue of around *** billion Brazilian reals. Bunge Alimentos ranked second, with approximately **** billion reals worth of revenue.

In 2019, the meat derivatives sector in Brazil ranked first in annual net revenue within the food industry, reaching ***** billion Brazilian reals, up from more than *** billion reals recorded a year earlier. The coffee, tea and cereals sector ranked second that year, generating ** billion reals in net revenue.

Brazil Public Sector: Year to Date: Public Enterprises: Uses: Primary data was reported at -1,351.210 BRL mn in Apr 2019. This records an increase from the previous number of -1,578.551 BRL mn for Mar 2019. Brazil Public Sector: Year to Date: Public Enterprises: Uses: Primary data is updated monthly, averaging -365.779 BRL mn from Jan 2002 (Median) to Apr 2019, with 208 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 4,277.653 BRL mn in Dec 2015 and a record low of -5,565.632 BRL mn in Nov 2006. Brazil Public Sector: Year to Date: Public Enterprises: Uses: Primary data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by Central Bank of Brazil. The data is categorized under Brazil Premium Database’s Government and Public Finance – Table BR.FA041: Public Sector: Uses and Sources: Public Enterprises: Year to Date.

In 2019, approximately 311 thousand metric tons of PET containers were recycled in Brazil. The leading sector of destination for recycled PET in the country was manufacturers of pre-forms and bottles, according to the so-called "bottle to bottle" process. Meanwhile, the textile sector accounted for another 22 percent of the recycled PET in Brazil.

Brazil Public Sector: % of GDP: Public Enterprises: Uses: Primary data was reported at 0.038 % in Apr 2019. This records an increase from the previous number of -0.042 % for Mar 2019. Brazil Public Sector: % of GDP: Public Enterprises: Uses: Primary data is updated monthly, averaging -0.037 % from Dec 2001 (Median) to Apr 2019, with 209 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 1.274 % in Jan 2002 and a record low of -1.161 % in Aug 2006. Brazil Public Sector: % of GDP: Public Enterprises: Uses: Primary data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by Central Bank of Brazil. The data is categorized under Brazil Premium Database’s Government and Public Finance – Table BR.FA043: Public Sector: Uses and Sources: Public Enterprises: % of Nominal GDP.

Brazil Public Sector: % of GDP: Federal Government: Uses: Primary data was reported at -1.067 % in Apr 2019. This records a decrease from the previous number of 3.564 % for Mar 2019. Brazil Public Sector: % of GDP: Federal Government: Uses: Primary data is updated monthly, averaging -1.438 % from Jan 2001 (Median) to Apr 2019, with 220 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 11.687 % in Dec 2015 and a record low of -8.825 % in Apr 2006. Brazil Public Sector: % of GDP: Federal Government: Uses: Primary data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by Central Bank of Brazil. The data is categorized under Brazil Premium Database’s Government and Public Finance – Table BR.FA025: Public Sector: Uses and Sources: Federal Government: % of Nominal GDP.

Brazil Public Sector: Year to Date: % of GDP: State Government: Uses: Primary data was reported at -0.705 % in Apr 2019. This records an increase from the previous number of -0.888 % for Mar 2019. Brazil Public Sector: Year to Date: % of GDP: State Government: Uses: Primary data is updated monthly, averaging -0.826 % from Jan 2001 (Median) to Apr 2019, with 220 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 0.229 % in Dec 2014 and a record low of -1.916 % in Jan 2015. Brazil Public Sector: Year to Date: % of GDP: State Government: Uses: Primary data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by Central Bank of Brazil. The data is categorized under Brazil Premium Database’s Government and Public Finance – Table BR.FA032: Public Sector: Uses and Sources: State Government: % of Nominal GDP: Year to Date.

Brazil Exports: FOB: Daily Average: Primary Products data was reported at 479.081 USD mn in 30 Jun 2019. This records a decrease from the previous number of 574.524 USD mn for 23 Jun 2019. Brazil Exports: FOB: Daily Average: Primary Products data is updated daily, averaging 316.101 USD mn from Jan 2003 (Median) to 30 Jun 2019, with 954 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 888.106 USD mn in 04 Nov 2018 and a record low of 1.120 USD mn in 31 Dec 2012. Brazil Exports: FOB: Daily Average: Primary Products data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by Ministry of Development, Industry and Trade. The data is categorized under Brazil Premium Database’s Foreign Trade – Table BR.JAA002: Exports: by Main Sectors. *The weekly data is considered preliminary data. To find the final version you may go to: + Foreign Trade + Foreign Trade: Monthly According to Ministry of Development, Industry and Foreign Trade (MDIC), these data began to be published with weekly frequency in July 2012. In some weeks the data are not available because the week is very short and there is insufficient data. Commodity is a term from English language (plural commodities), which means merchandise. It is used in commercial transactions of products as primary on commodity exchanges. The term is used to refer to products based on raw or small degree of industrialization, nearly uniform quality, produced in large quantities and by different producers. These products 'in natura', cultivated or mineral extraction, can be stored for a certain period without significant loss of quality. Having quotation and global marketability, using commodity exchanges. *Os dados semanais são considerado preliminares. De acordo com o Ministério do Desenvolvimento, Indústria e Comércio Exterior (MDIC), estes dados começaram a serem divulgados em frequência semanal em Julho de 2012. Em algumas semanas não há dados porque a semana é considerada curta e neste caso não há dados suficientes. Commodity é um termo de língua inglesa (plural commodities), que significa mercadoria. É utilizado nas transações comerciais de produtos de origem primária nas bolsas de mercadorias. O termo é usado como referência aos produtos de base em estado bruto (matérias-primas) ou com pequeno grau de industrialização, de qualidade quase uniforme, produzidos em grandes quantidades e por diferentes produtores. Estes produtos 'in natura', cultivados ou de extração mineral, podem ser estocados por determinado período sem perda significativa de qualidade. Possuem cotação e negociabilidade globais, utilizando bolsas de mercadorias.

Brazil Exports: FOB: Daily Average: Transformation Industry: Other Plasticsin Primary Forms data was reported at 3,043.075 USD th in 30 Apr 2025. This records a decrease from the previous number of 3,142.032 USD th for 27 Apr 2025. Brazil Exports: FOB: Daily Average: Transformation Industry: Other Plasticsin Primary Forms data is updated daily, averaging 3,062.158 USD th from Mar 2019 (Median) to 30 Apr 2025, with 262 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 6,099.895 USD th in 09 Mar 2025 and a record low of 2,214.881 USD th in 06 Sep 2020. Brazil Exports: FOB: Daily Average: Transformation Industry: Other Plasticsin Primary Forms data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by Special Secretariat for Foreign Trade and International Affairs. The data is categorized under Brazil Premium Database’s Foreign Trade – Table BR.JAA002: Exports: Economic Activity: Product: Value.

Brazil Public Sector: Last 12 Months Accumulated: % of GDP: Uses: Primary data was reported at 1.375 % in Apr 2019. This records a decrease from the previous number of 1.436 % for Mar 2019. Brazil Public Sector: Last 12 Months Accumulated: % of GDP: Uses: Primary data is updated monthly, averaging -2.350 % from Nov 2002 (Median) to Apr 2019, with 198 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 3.045 % in Sep 2016 and a record low of -4.075 % in Apr 2005. Brazil Public Sector: Last 12 Months Accumulated: % of GDP: Uses: Primary data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by Central Bank of Brazil. The data is categorized under Brazil Premium Database’s Government and Public Finance – Table BR.FA015: Public Sector: Uses and Sources: % of Nominal GDP: Last 12 Months Accumulated.

Brazil Public Sector: Last 12 Months Accumulated: % of GDP: State Government: Uses: Primary data was reported at -0.191 % in Apr 2019. This records a decrease from the previous number of -0.146 % for Mar 2019. Brazil Public Sector: Last 12 Months Accumulated: % of GDP: State Government: Uses: Primary data is updated monthly, averaging -0.548 % from Dec 2001 (Median) to Apr 2019, with 209 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 0.229 % in Dec 2014 and a record low of -0.993 % in Aug 2007. Brazil Public Sector: Last 12 Months Accumulated: % of GDP: State Government: Uses: Primary data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by Central Bank of Brazil. The data is categorized under Brazil Premium Database’s Government and Public Finance – Table BR.FA033: Public Sector: Uses and Sources: State Government: % of Nominal GDP: Last 12 Months Accumulated.

Public Sector: Last 12 Months Accumulated: % of GDP: Federal Government: Uses: Primary data was reported at 1.614 % in Apr 2019. This records a decrease from the previous number of 1.635 % for Mar 2019. Public Sector: Last 12 Months Accumulated: % of GDP: Federal Government: Uses: Primary data is updated monthly, averaging -1.804 % from Dec 2001 (Median) to Apr 2019, with 209 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 3.060 % in Oct 2017 and a record low of -3.002 % in Oct 2008. Public Sector: Last 12 Months Accumulated: % of GDP: Federal Government: Uses: Primary data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by Central Bank of Brazil. The data is categorized under Brazil Premium Database’s Government and Public Finance – Table BR.FA027: Public Sector: Uses and Sources: Federal Government: % of Nominal GDP: Last 12 Months Accumulated.