Economy

Bolsonaro’s boasting over fuel prices misleads voters

Jair Bolsonaro compared gasoline prices in Brazilian and British gas stations. The problem is that Brazilians do not earn their living in pounds

bolsonaro gas fuel prices
“Brazilian fuel is one of the cheapest in the world,” said Jair Bolsonaro from London. Reality is more complicated, though. Photo: Jax10289/Shutterstock

During his trip to London to attend the funeral of Queen Elizabeth II, Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro dropped by a gas station to compare fuel prices in the United Kingdom and Brazil. 

“Gasoline price: GBP 1.61. That is approximately BRL 9.70 per liter. Practically double the average in many Brazilian states. So, it is a reality, Brazilian fuel is one of the cheapest in the world.”


In absolute numbers, gasoline is, it is true, cheaper in Brazil. The problem with using nominal values for comparison is, uh, that Brazilians do not earn their living in pounds. According to Global Petrol Prices, Brazilians need to commit 7...

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