GITNUXREPORT 2025

Brazil Education Statistics

Brazil's education boasts high enrollment, literacy, disparities, and ongoing improvements.

Jannik Linder

Co-Founder of Gitnux, specialized in content and tech since 2016.

First published: April 29, 2025

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Statistic 1

Approximately 94.4% of children in Brazil aged 6-14 are enrolled in school

Statistic 2

The gross enrollment ratio for secondary education in Brazil is around 78.5%

Statistic 3

Brazil has an estimated 33 million children aged 0-14, representing a significant portion of students

Statistic 4

Brazil’s primary school net enrollment rate is approximately 97%

Statistic 5

The gender parity index in Brazilian primary education is 1.01, indicating near parity between boys and girls

Statistic 6

The number of teachers in Brazil's education system is roughly 2 million across all levels

Statistic 7

Only around 28% of Brazilian students in higher education are enrolled in private universities

Statistic 8

The percentage of children in Brazil who have access to early childhood education (ages 4-5) is approximately 66%

Statistic 9

The number of Brazilian students taking the national secondary exams (ENEM) exceeded 5 million in 2022

Statistic 10

Approximately 83% of Brazilian children attend preschools or kindergartens

Statistic 11

Brazil has implemented the "National Education Plan" aiming to increase basic education access and quality, with goals extending to 2030

Statistic 12

The percentage of secondary school students with access to internet is approximately 81%

Statistic 13

The proportion of students in Brazil using digital devices for educational purposes has increased to about 62% during the pandemic

Statistic 14

The completion rate for secondary education in Brazil is approximately 70%, with disparities across regions

Statistic 15

The proportion of children receiving early childhood education in private institutions is about 40%, with the rest in public programs

Statistic 16

The percentage of students who complete primary education in Brazil has increased from 78% in 2000 to over 91% in recent years

Statistic 17

The percentage of children with access to quality education in remote Amazon regions remains below 50%, highlighting regional disparities

Statistic 18

The participation rate of Brazil’s indigenous populations in formal education is about 50%, with ongoing efforts to improve access

Statistic 19

Brazil’s early childhood development programs have reached approximately 2 million children, focusing on health, nutrition, and education

Statistic 20

Approximately 65% of Brazilian schools have access to basic sanitation facilities, essential for health and educational performance

Statistic 21

The average duration of schooling for Brazilian adults (25+) is about 8.7 years

Statistic 22

The dropout rate in Brazilian secondary education is about 13%

Statistic 23

The student-teacher ratio in Brazilian primary schools is approximately 22:1

Statistic 24

Brazil's education index ranking is 74th globally according to UNDP

Statistic 25

About 68% of educators in Brazil report having received formal training in teaching methodologies

Statistic 26

Digital literacy programs for teachers have reached around 70% of educators in Brazil, aiming to improve digital integration

Statistic 27

Public expenditure on education as a percentage of GDP is approximately 5.4% in Brazil

Statistic 28

In 2020, Brazil allocated about 6.3% of its government expenditure to education

Statistic 29

Brazil spends about $3,800 per student annually in public education

Statistic 30

The government’s scholarship programs have benefited over 300,000 students across Brazil

Statistic 31

The brain drain of highly educated Brazilians has seen an annual decrease in recent years, with more students opting to study or work domestically

Statistic 32

Investment per student in Brazil’s basic education system has increased by approximately 15% over the last decade

Statistic 33

The graduation rate for higher education in Brazil is approximately 51%

Statistic 34

The number of universities in Brazil exceeds 2,400, with many being federal and state institutions

Statistic 35

The percentage of students enrolled in vocational education programs in Brazil is around 18%

Statistic 36

The number of foreign students studying in Brazil has increased by 5% annually, reaching around 60,000 in 2022

Statistic 37

Approximately 44% of Brazilian adults have completed at least some form of higher education

Statistic 38

The national dropout rate for higher education in Brazil is roughly 25%, lesser than some Latin American averages

Statistic 39

Female enrollment in tertiary education exceeds male enrollment, with women making up approximately 55% of students

Statistic 40

Brazil has over 4,000 vocational and technical schools nationwide, aiming to bolster workforce skills

Statistic 41

The net enrollment rate for tertiary education in Brazil is about 36%, indicating room for expansion

Statistic 42

The number of international universities establishing campuses in Brazil has grown by 3% annually, indicating increased global engagement

Statistic 43

The proportion of Brazilian youth (ages 15-24) neither in employment nor in education has declined to approximately 14%

Statistic 44

The percentage of children receiving special education services in Brazil’s public schools is around 4%, with ongoing efforts to increase inclusivity

Statistic 45

Brazil's literacy rate for adults (ages 15 and above) is about 93.2%

Statistic 46

The literacy rate in Brazil for females is approximately 94.1%, compared to 92.3% for males

Statistic 47

Brazil’s adult illiteracy rate has decreased from over 21% in 2000 to approximately 7.7% in 2020

Statistic 48

The literacy rate in Brazil is higher among urban populations (about 94%) compared to rural areas (around 86%)

Statistic 49

Education data shows that regions like the Southeast and South of Brazil have higher literacy rates (~95%) compared to the North (~89%)

Statistic 50

The Brazilian government has committed to increasing the literacy rate to over 98% for all age groups by 2030, part of SDG goals

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Key Highlights

Approximately 94.4% of children in Brazil aged 6-14 are enrolled in school
Brazil's literacy rate for adults (ages 15 and above) is about 93.2%
The gross enrollment ratio for secondary education in Brazil is around 78.5%
Public expenditure on education as a percentage of GDP is approximately 5.4% in Brazil
In 2020, Brazil allocated about 6.3% of its government expenditure to education
The literacy rate in Brazil for females is approximately 94.1%, compared to 92.3% for males
Brazil has an estimated 33 million children aged 0-14, representing a significant portion of students
The average duration of schooling for Brazilian adults (25+) is about 8.7 years
The graduation rate for higher education in Brazil is approximately 51%
The number of universities in Brazil exceeds 2,400, with many being federal and state institutions
The percentage of students enrolled in vocational education programs in Brazil is around 18%
Brazil’s primary school net enrollment rate is approximately 97%
The gender parity index in Brazilian primary education is 1.01, indicating near parity between boys and girls

Brazil is shaping a future of opportunity and challenge, with over 94% of children enrolled in school and remarkable strides in literacy and higher education—yet regional disparities and ongoing investments highlight the complex landscape of education in this rapidly developing nation.

Education Access and Enrollment

Approximately 94.4% of children in Brazil aged 6-14 are enrolled in school
The gross enrollment ratio for secondary education in Brazil is around 78.5%
Brazil has an estimated 33 million children aged 0-14, representing a significant portion of students
Brazil’s primary school net enrollment rate is approximately 97%
The gender parity index in Brazilian primary education is 1.01, indicating near parity between boys and girls
The number of teachers in Brazil's education system is roughly 2 million across all levels
Only around 28% of Brazilian students in higher education are enrolled in private universities
The percentage of children in Brazil who have access to early childhood education (ages 4-5) is approximately 66%
The number of Brazilian students taking the national secondary exams (ENEM) exceeded 5 million in 2022
Approximately 83% of Brazilian children attend preschools or kindergartens
Brazil has implemented the "National Education Plan" aiming to increase basic education access and quality, with goals extending to 2030
The percentage of secondary school students with access to internet is approximately 81%
The proportion of students in Brazil using digital devices for educational purposes has increased to about 62% during the pandemic
The completion rate for secondary education in Brazil is approximately 70%, with disparities across regions
The proportion of children receiving early childhood education in private institutions is about 40%, with the rest in public programs
The percentage of students who complete primary education in Brazil has increased from 78% in 2000 to over 91% in recent years
The percentage of children with access to quality education in remote Amazon regions remains below 50%, highlighting regional disparities
The participation rate of Brazil’s indigenous populations in formal education is about 50%, with ongoing efforts to improve access
Brazil’s early childhood development programs have reached approximately 2 million children, focusing on health, nutrition, and education
Approximately 65% of Brazilian schools have access to basic sanitation facilities, essential for health and educational performance

Education Access and Enrollment Interpretation

Brazil's impressive 97% net enrollment and rising digital integration reveal a nation committed to expanding education, yet regional disparities and access gaps in remote areas underscore the ongoing challenge of turning these statistics into equitable opportunities for all children.

Educational Quality and Outcomes

The average duration of schooling for Brazilian adults (25+) is about 8.7 years
The dropout rate in Brazilian secondary education is about 13%
The student-teacher ratio in Brazilian primary schools is approximately 22:1
Brazil's education index ranking is 74th globally according to UNDP
About 68% of educators in Brazil report having received formal training in teaching methodologies
Digital literacy programs for teachers have reached around 70% of educators in Brazil, aiming to improve digital integration

Educational Quality and Outcomes Interpretation

Despite making strides with digital literacy and a moderately trained teaching workforce, Brazil’s education system still grapples with an average of less than nine years of schooling per adult and a dropout rate that suggests the country is still chasing the diploma of educational parity on the global stage.

Funding and Investment in Education

Public expenditure on education as a percentage of GDP is approximately 5.4% in Brazil
In 2020, Brazil allocated about 6.3% of its government expenditure to education
Brazil spends about $3,800 per student annually in public education
The government’s scholarship programs have benefited over 300,000 students across Brazil
The brain drain of highly educated Brazilians has seen an annual decrease in recent years, with more students opting to study or work domestically
Investment per student in Brazil’s basic education system has increased by approximately 15% over the last decade

Funding and Investment in Education Interpretation

While Brazil's modest 5.4% of GDP allocated to education and a 15% increase in per-student investment suggest a growing commitment, the ongoing brain drain and reliance on government scholarships highlight the persistent challenge of cultivating truly world-class educational opportunities domestically.

Higher Education and Vocational Training

The graduation rate for higher education in Brazil is approximately 51%
The number of universities in Brazil exceeds 2,400, with many being federal and state institutions
The percentage of students enrolled in vocational education programs in Brazil is around 18%
The number of foreign students studying in Brazil has increased by 5% annually, reaching around 60,000 in 2022
Approximately 44% of Brazilian adults have completed at least some form of higher education
The national dropout rate for higher education in Brazil is roughly 25%, lesser than some Latin American averages
Female enrollment in tertiary education exceeds male enrollment, with women making up approximately 55% of students
Brazil has over 4,000 vocational and technical schools nationwide, aiming to bolster workforce skills
The net enrollment rate for tertiary education in Brazil is about 36%, indicating room for expansion
The number of international universities establishing campuses in Brazil has grown by 3% annually, indicating increased global engagement

Higher Education and Vocational Training Interpretation

Despite boasting over 2,400 universities and a steadily growing international presence, Brazil's higher education landscape still grapples with diminishing graduation rates, gender imbalances, and a significant dropout rate—highlighting a nation where opportunity abounds, but completion remains an elusive prize amid ongoing efforts to enhance skills and global engagement.

Inclusion

The proportion of Brazilian youth (ages 15-24) neither in employment nor in education has declined to approximately 14%
The percentage of children receiving special education services in Brazil’s public schools is around 4%, with ongoing efforts to increase inclusivity

Inclusion Interpretation

While Brazil's youth data hints at progress with fewer young people out of school or work, the modest 4% of children in special education signals both strides and the ongoing challenge of truly inclusive education.

Literacy

Brazil's literacy rate for adults (ages 15 and above) is about 93.2%
The literacy rate in Brazil for females is approximately 94.1%, compared to 92.3% for males
Brazil’s adult illiteracy rate has decreased from over 21% in 2000 to approximately 7.7% in 2020
The literacy rate in Brazil is higher among urban populations (about 94%) compared to rural areas (around 86%)
Education data shows that regions like the Southeast and South of Brazil have higher literacy rates (~95%) compared to the North (~89%)
The Brazilian government has committed to increasing the literacy rate to over 98% for all age groups by 2030, part of SDG goals

Literacy Interpretation

Brazil's impressive leap from over 21% illiteracy in 2000 to a 93.2% literacy rate today illustrates both remarkable progress and the ongoing challenge of bridging urban-rural and regional gaps as the country aims for 98% literacy by 2030.