Racial Inequality Is Worse in Richer Regions of Brazil
A new index from has revealed that the difference in access to opportunities for whites and Blacks in Brazil is greater in the richer regions and prevails throughout the country. The Racial Balance Sheet Index (IFER) was conceived by reporter Erica Fraga and developed using a methodology adapted by researchers Sergio Firpo, Michael Franca and Alysson Portella, from INSPER. Brazil's Southeast and South regions have the highest inequality according to the indicator, which compares the proportion of Blacks and whites over 30 in the country's population with their weight in the strata with higher income, education and longevity. The smallest imbalance is in the Midwest, which took over from the Northeast. IFER exposes state discrepancies the Sao Paulo index, the furthest from equity, is twice that of Amapa, the closest. Despite improvement, the gaps are widespread, and inter-regional contrasts exist.