Startups represent job opportunities for refugees in Brazil

In Brazil, there are just over 5,000 refugees currently registered by authorities. In most cases, they are trying to escape hunger, violence, and war. But upon settling in Brazil, many face a new barrier: finding a job. Not only must these refugees quickly adapt to a new language and new work culture, but they also have to fight for positions with 13 million Brazilians out of a job. Not an easy feat.

A recent report by the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) shows that 41 percent of refugees living in Brazil have already suffered some kind of prejudice—which narrows even more their chances of entering the job market.

Despite having a higher level of education than the average Brazilian (34 percent have a college degree), almost half of refugees report difficulties in finding employment. The reasons vary from a lack of Portuguese proficiency to trouble in confirming previous certificates: 90.5 percent of those who are graduates have not been able to validate their diplomas.

This scenario explains the 19.5 percent unemployment rate among refugees (way higher than the national average), as well as why refugees are more prone to entrepreneurship.

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