More Brazilians declared they were biracial than white last year, the country’s statistics agency said on Friday, citing data from its most recent census.
Agency IBGE said in a statement that about 92.1 million people — which is about 45.3% of the country’s population — consider themselves biracial. Another 88.2 million Brazilians, or 43.5% of the population, said they are white.
Here are some additional points from the report:
Black Population: The number of Brazilians identifying as Black increased significantly from 7.6% in 2010 to 10.2% in the recent census. This represents a rise of more than 42% in the Black population.
Indigenous and Yellow Populations: A smaller percentage of the population, around 0.8%, identified as Indigenous, and approximately 0.4% claimed to be yellow (Asian descendants).
Regional Variations: Biracial populations are the majority in 58.3% of Brazilian cities, especially in the impoverished northeast region. In contrast, white populations remain the majority in 41% of cities, primarily in the wealthier southeast and south regions.
Historical Context: The shift in demographics is significant and reflects changes in self-identification and social dynamics. Brazil has a complex history of racial diversity and inequality, with a legacy of slavery and racial discrimination.
Census Categories: Brazil’s official statistics agency categorizes racial demographics into groups such as white, black, brown (biracial), yellow (Asian), and Indigenous. These categories are used for data collection and analysis.
Historical Census: The first Brazilian census took place in 1872, during a time when slavery was still prevalent in the country. Since then, the demographic makeup of Brazil has evolved.
Brazil has a significant historical context when it comes to African slavery, as it received the highest number of African slaves compared to any other country in the Americas. It is important to acknowledge that Brazil was one of the last major nations to abolish slavery. Despite progress made over time, people of color continue to face social challenges and often find themselves at the lower end of the social pyramid. Recognizing these issues is crucial for creating a more inclusive and equitable society for all individuals in Brazil.
These demographic shifts highlight the ongoing evolution of Brazil’s racial identity and the changing dynamics within the country’s population. It’s important to note that self-identification and social perceptions play a significant role in how individuals categorize themselves, and these statistics reflect those individual choices.
