PPOG 506
SWOT Analysis - Brazil
PPOG 506: Introduction to Geopolitics
Introduction
Brazil is the largest country in Latin America as it houses over 200 million people.
Brazil has weathered a period of global financial difficulty in the late 20th century, and it is
currently working on becoming a powerhouse country like the United States, China, and India
by being seen as one of the world's strongest emerging markets and a contributor to global
growth. This SWOT analysis of Brazil clarifies the major strengths, weaknesses, opportunities,
and threats affecting the country.
SWOT
A strength that Brazil has is a strong agriculture and industry sector. The main
agricultural products include: coffee, oranges, sugar cane, soybeans, tobacco, corn, and mate CIA
2021). The key service industries include: telecommunications, trucking, freight transportation,
information technology, aviation, and power (CIA 2021). Also, Brazil has a high and young
population. 43.83% of the population range between 25-54 years (CIA 2021). The proportion
of the working age population has grown at higher rates, thus creating a favorable scenario for
economic development that should theoretically thrive for many years to come. Furthermore,
Brazil is endowed with an abundance of natural resources which includes: tantalum, tin, rare
earth elements, uranium, petroleum, hydropower, timber, gold and more. With an abundance of
natural resources, Brazil needs to begin to refocus its management and development strategies.
One weakness that Brazil displays is underdeveloped infrastructure. “In these global
rankings of infrastructure quality Brazil’s overall standing was at 114th place. The quality of
its roads was ranked in 120th place, its railroads at 103rd, its ports at 131st, its air transport at
, 123rd, and its electricity supply in 76th place. Brazil has had a long history of corruption which
has undermined its democratic institutions” (Amann 2016, 67). There has been major
corruption within the last three presidents. Corruption involving money laundering and
mismanaging the federal budget. The biggest corruption scandal was known as Operation Car
Wash. Operation Car Wash (2014) focused on exposing a car wash money laundering scheme
which resulted indictments of hundreds of government officials and business elites.
Historically, crime has always been a problem in Brazil; however, the crime index
showed homicides declined to their lowest level in more than ten years.
Brazil has many areas of opportunities, especially regarding crude oil reserves. In 2019,
crude oil reserves in Brazil amounted to 12.84 billion barrels, the second largest in South
American (Stebbins 2019). Although Brazil has many natural resources, they are untapped;
therefore, the untapped natural resources could be exploited in order to boost the economy. Also,
Brazil has many opportunities to expand its trade with other countries. By doing so, it increases
Brazil’s soft power, and it strengthens the economy. Lastly, Brazil has the opportunity to be
global power alongside the United States, China, and India.
A major threat against Brazil is corruption. Brazil needs to address and put an end to
corruption if the country wants more involvement internationally. The country’s stagnant
economic growth is worsened by failed infrastructure projects; therefore, without better designed
projects, Brazil’s economy could continue to be affected negatively. Brazil is highly depended
on exports. Attention needs to be directed by encouraging manufacturing.
Locale
Brazil is located in South America. It borders every country in South America except
Chile and Ecuador. Majority of the people living in Brazil live along and near the Atlantic coast
(CIA 2021). As of July 2021, Brazil’s population is at 213,445,417 (CIA 2021). It is the seventh
largest country in the world. The official and most widely spoken language in Brazil is
SWOT Analysis - Brazil
PPOG 506: Introduction to Geopolitics
Introduction
Brazil is the largest country in Latin America as it houses over 200 million people.
Brazil has weathered a period of global financial difficulty in the late 20th century, and it is
currently working on becoming a powerhouse country like the United States, China, and India
by being seen as one of the world's strongest emerging markets and a contributor to global
growth. This SWOT analysis of Brazil clarifies the major strengths, weaknesses, opportunities,
and threats affecting the country.
SWOT
A strength that Brazil has is a strong agriculture and industry sector. The main
agricultural products include: coffee, oranges, sugar cane, soybeans, tobacco, corn, and mate CIA
2021). The key service industries include: telecommunications, trucking, freight transportation,
information technology, aviation, and power (CIA 2021). Also, Brazil has a high and young
population. 43.83% of the population range between 25-54 years (CIA 2021). The proportion
of the working age population has grown at higher rates, thus creating a favorable scenario for
economic development that should theoretically thrive for many years to come. Furthermore,
Brazil is endowed with an abundance of natural resources which includes: tantalum, tin, rare
earth elements, uranium, petroleum, hydropower, timber, gold and more. With an abundance of
natural resources, Brazil needs to begin to refocus its management and development strategies.
One weakness that Brazil displays is underdeveloped infrastructure. “In these global
rankings of infrastructure quality Brazil’s overall standing was at 114th place. The quality of
its roads was ranked in 120th place, its railroads at 103rd, its ports at 131st, its air transport at
, 123rd, and its electricity supply in 76th place. Brazil has had a long history of corruption which
has undermined its democratic institutions” (Amann 2016, 67). There has been major
corruption within the last three presidents. Corruption involving money laundering and
mismanaging the federal budget. The biggest corruption scandal was known as Operation Car
Wash. Operation Car Wash (2014) focused on exposing a car wash money laundering scheme
which resulted indictments of hundreds of government officials and business elites.
Historically, crime has always been a problem in Brazil; however, the crime index
showed homicides declined to their lowest level in more than ten years.
Brazil has many areas of opportunities, especially regarding crude oil reserves. In 2019,
crude oil reserves in Brazil amounted to 12.84 billion barrels, the second largest in South
American (Stebbins 2019). Although Brazil has many natural resources, they are untapped;
therefore, the untapped natural resources could be exploited in order to boost the economy. Also,
Brazil has many opportunities to expand its trade with other countries. By doing so, it increases
Brazil’s soft power, and it strengthens the economy. Lastly, Brazil has the opportunity to be
global power alongside the United States, China, and India.
A major threat against Brazil is corruption. Brazil needs to address and put an end to
corruption if the country wants more involvement internationally. The country’s stagnant
economic growth is worsened by failed infrastructure projects; therefore, without better designed
projects, Brazil’s economy could continue to be affected negatively. Brazil is highly depended
on exports. Attention needs to be directed by encouraging manufacturing.
Locale
Brazil is located in South America. It borders every country in South America except
Chile and Ecuador. Majority of the people living in Brazil live along and near the Atlantic coast
(CIA 2021). As of July 2021, Brazil’s population is at 213,445,417 (CIA 2021). It is the seventh
largest country in the world. The official and most widely spoken language in Brazil is
