Historical & statistical overview
As at Dec 2000: 5th Largest world populous
| Total |
167,988 |
| Under 5 |
15,993 |
| Under 18 |
59,861 |
| Annual Birth Rate |
3,344 |
| Poorest Regions |
North & Northeast |
Children are the first victims of poverty.
Poverty causes thousands of deaths that could be avoided.
Of the children under the age of 18, 19.5 million live in
poverty with 53.4% of those living in the northern regions.
Human Rights
The Brazilian Constitution of 1988 is the most detailed &
wide ranging charter of human rights in it's entire history.
Brazil is now a signatory to the principal International treaties
on human rights.
Despite these changes, frequent & serious
violations of human rights continue to occur & it is common
for those responsible to go unpunished. The lack of legal
control of violence means that much of the crime against humanity
is allowed to freely take place, the most vulnerable groups
being the prime targets, which includes the street children.
Statistics from 1988 - 1990 show that
4.661 children under the age of 17 were murdered (source Brazil
in Focus CD form Brazilian Consulate)
Most were boys between the age of 15-17,
murdered by illegal vigilantes or police officers "moonlighting"
for security firms.
The rate of homicides = 21.3 murders a year
per 100.000 population (compare with UK or USA).
Economy
Brazil is the 10th largest economy in
the world.
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