2b. Brazil: corridors of migrant flows create interdependence between countries

Question 1

Describe Brazil’s economy:

Answer 1

7th largest economy in the world
Leading economic power in Latin America
EDC
Increase in GDP per capita from US$4874 in 2007 to US$5823 in 2014
69% of economy is services, 25% industry and 6% agriculture

Question 2

Characteristics of Brazil’s migration patterns:

Answer 2

• Net migration loss of half a million in 2000-2004 and 2005-2009 (slowed between 2010-2014)
• Increased migration between Brazil and neighbours, particularly Mercosur states as well as Chile and Andean states
• Slowing down of emigration of low-skilled workers to US
• Increased emigration of highly skilled workers to Europe, USA, and Japan
• Influx of migrants from Haiti and Africa countries
• Rise in number of international labour migrants attracted by construction industry for 2014 football World Cup and 2016 Olympics
• Strong internal migration from northeast to cities of the southeast

Question 3

Describe migration in 19th/20th centuries:

Answer 3

Brazil was a net recipient of migrants – Europeans attracted to work in agricultural sector, particularly Italians, Germans, and Portuguese in coffee cultivation
Japanese migrants also drawn to agricultural and industrial sectors
Political crises led to migrations from Bolivia and Lebanon

Question 4

Describe immigration in past 15 years:

Answer 4

Slowed down
80,000 fewer immigrants livingin Brazil than in 2000
140,000 Portuguese in Brazil
50,000 Japanese

Question 5

Describe emigration in past 15 years:

Answer 5

Emigration has increased
0.98 million in 2000 and 1.77 million in 2013
Largest recipient is USA and Japan - 370,000 Brazilians in both

Question 6

Three examples of interdependence between Brazil and countries connected to it by international migration:

Answer 6

1. Portugal
2. USA
3. Haiti

Question 7

Describe bilateral relationship between Brazil and Portugal:

Answer 7

Important political, social and economic terms
Brazil was a former colony of Portugal + today Portuguese government gives special status to Brazilian migrants
Portugal is a gateway to the EU for Brazilians
Shared language, ancestry and family ties contribute to migrant integration

Question 8

Describe bilateral relationship between Brazil and USA:

Answer 8

Important political, socio-economic, and environmental terms
- Thousands of low-skilled workers in USA can transfer remittances back home
- Returning migrants acquired knowledge and skills
- Strong links in education and teacher training for Brazilian emigrants in USA
- Trade agreements with Brazil regarding agriculture, trade, finance, education, and defence
- USAID supports Brazil in many environmental projects
EG training Xavante indigenous people to protect tribal lands from forest fires
Assisting Brazilian government in sustainable forest management

Question 9

Describe bilateral relationship between Brazil and Haiti:

Answer 9

Political, economic and humanitarian terms

• National Immigration Council for Brazil enables Haitian immigrants to obtain visas easily in Haiti – reduces vulnerability to trafficking
• 2010 Haiti earthquake displaced 1.5 million
• Immigrants grew for 1681 in 2010 to 11,072 in 2013 – increasing due to political instability, unemployment, poverty, poor access to education and poor human rights record
• Jobs available in Brazil in Rio Grande do Sul and Santa Catarina

Question 10

What have been the 3 impacts of migration on Brazil’s development?

Answer 10

1. Economic development
2. Political stability
3. Social equality

Question 11

Describe economic development:

Answer 11

• Immigrants from Japan, Portugal and other European countries have contributed to growth in agriculture and manufacturing sectors
• Arrivals of highly skilled professionals with employment contracts have reduced gaps in labour market
• Emigration to USA, Japan and Portugal has resulted in migrant remittances to Brazil – used for improved housing, education, and general consumption
  In 2014 this was US$2.4 billion

Question 12

Describe political stability:

Answer 12

• Brazil has a stable and democratic political system: leading member of Mercosur, member of G20 and OECD and one of BRICS group of emerging economies
• Membership of Mercosur (trading bloc with free flow of trade, capital, and labour migration) has helped South American integration
• Stable political relationships with USA, Japan, and Portugal
• Receiver of environmental and political refugees so stable govt provides welfare and employment prospects through visas and work permits

Question 13

Describe social equality:

Answer 13

• UNSECO states there are inequalities in Brazilian society between ethnic groups – Brazilians of African descent are worst affected
  Eg housing provisions, access to services, educational attainment, and income
• Poverty concentrated in rural areas or in favelas where poor migrate
• Prejudice and discrimination in labour market against black and indigenous populations – impeding political and social development