Society

Numbers of the week: Sep. 12, 2020

This is Brazil by the Numbers, a weekly digest of the most interesting figures tucked inside the latest news about Brazil. A selection of numbers that help explain what is going on in Brazil. This week: food inflation; coronavirus transmission rates; GDP; corruption; aviation woes; São Paulo mayoral race.

Send any suggestions to contribute@brazilian.report

19.2-percent inflation

Brazil’s overall inflation rate sits at a mere 0.7 percent since the beginning of the year, on pace to finish 2020 far below the government’s 4-percent target. But Brazilians are beginning to feel the rise in food prices, which fuels the growing pessimism about the economy. Tomatoes are now 13 percent more expensive and milk prices have jumped by nearly 5 percent since the start of the pandemic. And rice prices are an astounding 19.2 percent higher than they were in January.

Food prices weigh disproportionately on the poor and could spark disgruntlement among a significant proportion of...

Lucas Berti

Lucas Berti covers international affairs — specialized in Latin American politics and markets. He has been published by Opera Mundi, Revista VIP, and The Intercept Brasil, among others.

Recent Posts

Market Roundup: The new skills corporate board members need

The specialization trend among corporate board members It is not only a matter of perception:…

1 day ago

As elections near, what’s next for Panama’s closed copper mine?

Panama will hold its presidential elections on Sunday, months after huge protests saw thousands descend…

1 day ago

Madonna concert to inject BRL 300 million into Rio economy

The city of Rio de Janeiro estimates that a Madonna concert this Saturday on Copacabana…

2 days ago

Panama ready to vote as Supreme Court clears frontrunner

Latin America’s trend of banning opposition candidates from elections has caught on in an ever-growing…

2 days ago

Sabesp privatization edges closer with São Paulo legislation

The São Paulo City Council on Thursday approved legislation authorizing Brazil’s largest city to sign…

2 days ago

Brazil’s AI regulation gets first draft to guide upcoming debates

The preliminary report on AI regulations presented to Brazil’s Senate last week provides a middle-of-the-road…

2 days ago