Graduate outlookBrazil welcomes people that are highly skilled in any capacity. Experience in consulting, English language teaching, tourism or development work is highly sought after. There is little information about the graduate labour market in Brazil. For general labour market information, visit: There are some graduate opportunities available but, with more Brazilians entering higher education, competition for these roles is growing. It can also be difficult to obtain a work permit (see visa and immigration). back to top The economyBrazil has the largest domestic market in all of Latin America and the second largest economy in the developing world after China. The current nominal gross domestic product (GDP) is around US$900billion (Embassy of Brazil in London, 2007). Although it has a history of economic boom and bust, economic reforms in the 1990s have brought some financial stability. One of the main challenges now is to make the recently renewed growth sustainable - economically, environmentally and socially. Future challenges include developing pension, labour and financial market reforms and creating jobs. Brazil has well-developed agricultural, mining, manufacturing and service sectors. It is the world's largest producer of sugar cane and coffee, and a net exporter of cocoa, soya beans, orange juice, tobacco and forest products. It is also one of the world's leading producers of hydroelectric power. Brazil’s main trading partners are the European Union (EU), the United States of America (USA) and Mercosur. Tourism is a developing sector in Brazil as South America is becoming a popular and affordable destination for travellers across the world. Further information on the economy of Brazil can be found on the following websites: back to top CompaniesGlobal graduate recruiters with branches in Brazil include: - Bacardi-Martini;
- Coca-Cola;
- Ericsson;
- Ford Motor Company;
- GlaxoSmithKline;
- HSBC Bank;
- Johnson & Johnson;
- Kimberly-Clark;
- KPMG;
- Microsoft.
The Brazilian Chamber of Commerce in Great Britain website includes a list of member companies. back to top UnemploymentThe unemployment rate in Brazil is around 9.6% (The World Factbook, 2006). back to top Working practices and customsGeneral- As of April 2007, the minimum monthly wage in Brazil is R$380 (approximately £98.91) (Ministry of Labour and Employment in Brazil).
- All employees are entitled to up to 30 days' holiday after a full year of work with the same employer.
- Working hours are similar to those in the UK, with most business being conducted between the hours of 8am and 6pm.
- The maximum working week in Brazil is 44 hours, not exceeding eight hours per day. Employees are entitled to a weekly rest of at least 24 hours, which is usually taken on a Sunday.
- Most employers offer incentives, including transportation and meal subsidies.
- Banks open Monday to Friday from 10am to 4pm, shopping centres in the major cities open Monday to Saturday 10am to 10pm.
Business etiquette- Face-to-face meetings are preferred over written communication.
- When it comes to business agreements, Brazilians insist on drawing up detailed legal contracts.
- Business appointments can often be scheduled at short notice.
- Men should wear dark-coloured business suits and women suits or elegant dresses (Kwintessential).
Cost of living- Sao Paulo and Rio de Janeiro remain the most expensive cities to live in Brazil.
- Millions of Brazilians live on the minimum salary. However, in comparison to the UK it is cheaper to live in terms of day-to-day life.
- The majority of rented accommodation in Brazil is completely unfurnished so budgeting for furniture is necessary. See Living in Brazil for more information.
Tax issuesback to top Language requirementsPortuguese is the official language used in Brazil. There are differences in vocabulary, pronunciation and grammar between European Portuguese and Brazilian Portuguese. There are also different languages spoken by Indian tribes living in remote reservations. English is increasingly being used as the language of business and is also taught in most schools and universities. Portuguese is the only language of daily life. Portuguese courses, accredited by the Brazilian Ministry of Education, are available. See the Embassy of Brazil in London for details.
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Brazil: Job market
