the Brazilian economy
Dec. 27th, 2010 03:51 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
guslDue to a combination of factors, including government support for the poorer classes (e.g. bolsa-escola, bolsa-famÃlia) and increased trade with China(??), the Brazilian economy has gotten very hot recently.
Therefore:
* Brazil is more expensive than ever. To compare Recife in 2010 with New York in 2010, the food is roughly the same price! Clothing is more expensive than in the US, and electronics is roughly double US prices (before correcting for purchasing power). In a decent restaurant in Recife, it is now common to see a steak going for 35-40USD.
* A large number of kids (perhaps over 50%) are now growing up with computers. Some complain that this "popularization" has lowered the level of spelling online.
* There are more domestic tourists; but hardly any foreign tourists in sight. Lots of Brazilians must be vacationing abroad.
* Traffic is a problem. Lots of cars on the roads. Airports and shopping malls are packed with people from lower classes.
* The internal economy has gotten big enough for (many? most?) policy-makers to stop caring about global competitiveness. Worldwide, Brazil is the 4th largest consumer market for cars.
* The crime rate has fallen significantly.
* Experienced educated professionals (e.g. engineers) in Brazil are making significantly more than their US counterparts (before correcting for purchasing power).
Therefore:
* Brazil is more expensive than ever. To compare Recife in 2010 with New York in 2010, the food is roughly the same price! Clothing is more expensive than in the US, and electronics is roughly double US prices (before correcting for purchasing power). In a decent restaurant in Recife, it is now common to see a steak going for 35-40USD.
* A large number of kids (perhaps over 50%) are now growing up with computers. Some complain that this "popularization" has lowered the level of spelling online.
* There are more domestic tourists; but hardly any foreign tourists in sight. Lots of Brazilians must be vacationing abroad.
* Traffic is a problem. Lots of cars on the roads. Airports and shopping malls are packed with people from lower classes.
* The internal economy has gotten big enough for (many? most?) policy-makers to stop caring about global competitiveness. Worldwide, Brazil is the 4th largest consumer market for cars.
* The crime rate has fallen significantly.
* Experienced educated professionals (e.g. engineers) in Brazil are making significantly more than their US counterparts (before correcting for purchasing power).