HUMAN DEVELOPMENT REPORT FOR BRAZIL - 1996

The Brazilian demographic pattern is undergoing a profound transformation, according to the Report. Infant mortality has been declining since the 1940s. The fertility rate, which continued high until 1970 (5.8 children per woman), fell considerably after that year and also the population growth rate, which decreased to 1.9% in 1991. The total population figure was 147 million, lower than projected estimates.

An "aging" process of the population began, with a progressive reduction of weight of youths. At the same time, the number of people of over 65 years started increasing. Since the rate of decrease of the number of children and youths is still greater than the growth of the segment of people above 65 years of age, the number of persons (young and old) that "depend" on the "active" population (between 15 and 64 years) is declining and will continue to do so until the year 2020. For this reason the country will have an exceptionally favourable period in which to address its social problems.

At the turn of the 2lst century, the population should be about 170 million, and should only pass the 200 million mark in the second decade of the century.

These changes in the demographic profile will have profound consequences in various fields, principally in education, health, housing and labour (see material attached).