Brazil has recorded strong GDP growth following the COVID-19 pandemic, yet the GDP per capita gap vis-à-vis OECD countries remains significant. The employment rate has also caught up with the OECD average in the past few years, but informality and the gender gap remain high. However, investment has been weak and productivity growth stagnated, reflecting structural policy challenges.
Reducing regulatory barriers would facilitate the entry of new firms and strengthen competition. In combination with better infrastructure, this would help to revive productivity growth. Removing trade restrictions could improve Brazil’s integration in global value chains and provide new growth opportunities. Providing a more equitable access to quality education would help to address knowledge and skills gaps across different socio-economic groups and improve overall education outcomes.