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Nearshore Country Guide

BRAZIL

Rio De Jenerio at sunset is featured on this beautiful Brazil Country Guide

Brazil is a powerhouse for nearshore talent acquisition, offering a vast and diverse workforce with expertise across multiple industries, including tech, finance, and manufacturing. As Latin America’s largest economy, Brazil combines a dynamic tech ecosystem, rapid advancements in innovation, and a strategic focus on education reform, particularly in STEM fields. With growing English proficiency, strong government incentives, and a time zone aligned with the U.S., Brazil is uniquely positioned to drive global business growth through nearshoring partnerships.

Table of Contents

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Nearshoring in Brazil: A Country Guide Overview

Talent & Workforce in Brazil

Brazil is a powerhouse for nearshore talent acquisition, offering a vast and diverse workforce with expertise across multiple industries, including tech, finance, and manufacturing. As Latin America’s largest economy, Brazil combines a dynamic tech ecosystem, rapid advancements in innovation, and a strategic focus on education reform, particularly in STEM fields. With growing English proficiency, strong government incentives, and a time zone aligned with the U.S., Brazil is uniquely positioned to drive global business growth through nearshoring partnerships.

Highlights

  • Brazil has the largest workforce in Latin America, with over 100 million workers.
  • Brazil’s tech ecosystem, with a focus on fintech, AI, and cloud computing, is attracting major global companies
  • 55,000 ICT graduates entering the workforce annually

Language in Brazil

Brazil’s official language is Portuguese, making it the only Portuguese-speaking country in Latin America. Portuguese is widely spoken across all regions of Brazil, with some regional dialects and variations. However, the country is increasingly focused on enhancing English proficiency, especially in business and tech sectors.

In 2020, the Brazilian government implemented the Base Nacional Comum Curricular (BNCC), making English the compulsory foreign language to be taught in all schools, both public and private. English instruction begins in the final years of lower secondary education, ensuring that future generations have a stronger foundation in the language.

In addition to Portuguese and English, Brazil is home to a range of minority languages, including Spanish, German, and Italian, due to its diverse immigrant communities.

Highlights

  • Higher English proficiency in major cities like São Paulo and Rio de Janeiro, especially among IT professionals
  • Professionals in sectors like tech and outsourcing are more likely to have advanced English skills, making communication easier with international partners.

Brazilian Goverment

Brazil’s government has made significant strides in fostering a business-friendly environment for nearshoring and outsourcing, especially in the tech and education sectors. As the largest economy in Latin America, Brazil has implemented policies and initiatives aimed at boosting innovation, attracting foreign investment, and developing a skilled workforce to meet global market demands.

The Brazilian government has prioritized the technology sector through initiatives like the Plano Nacional de Internet das Coisas (National IoT Plan), which aims to make Brazil a global leader in IoT development. This includes offering tax incentives and investment opportunities for companies involved in digital transformation and technology services. These efforts position Brazil as a competitive nearshoring destination, with a growing talent pool skilled in software development, data science, and emerging technologies.

Highlights

  • Brazil offers various incentives for foreign companies looking to outsource or nearshore operations, including tax breaks, investment incentives, and trade agreements that facilitate business partnerships.
  • The country’s regulatory framework is designed to protect both foreign investors and local workers, making it an attractive and stable environment for businesses seeking to expand their operations.

Education in Brazil

Brazil has one of the largest and most diverse education systems in Latin America, with a growing emphasis on improving access to quality education and fostering innovation in key sectors such as technology and STEM. The government provides free public education at all levels, including universities, making higher education accessible to a broad population.

To meet industry demands, Brazil has developed a robust system of technical schools (escolas técnicas) and vocational programs that prepare students for specific career paths in areas such as IT, healthcare, and industrial engineering. These programs are crucial for building a workforce that is adaptable to the needs of the nearshoring and outsourcing sectors.

Highlights

  • The University of São Paulo School of Economics, Business, and Accounting (FEA) is one of the most prestigious in Brazil, known for producing top business leaders and economists.
  • Brazil has one of the top Computer Science undergraduate and graduate programs at Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais (UFMG), staffed by professors from from Stanford, Princeton, Oxford, UCLA, and other prestigious universities around the world.

Economic Outlook in Brazil

Brazil is the largest economy in Latin America and one of the top 10 largest economies globally. While it has faced periods of economic challenges in recent years, including high inflation and fluctuating growth, the country is expected to stabilize and see moderate economic growth in the coming years.

 

In Q2 2024, the GDP grew by 1.4% quarter-over-quarter, exceeding expectations. Brazil’s nearshoring market is expected to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 10.3% from 2021 to 2025, according to a Deloitte study. Additionally, the latest projection from the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) suggests that Brazil could export an additional US$7.84 billion by riding the wave of this movement.

Currency

$1 USD = 5.69 Brazilian Reals

Reis (BRL)

Brazilian Culture

Brazilians are known for their warmth and friendliness, with a strong sense of community. They are often described as exuberant, creative, and receptive to foreigners. And the are known for their warm greetings, which can include handshakes, hugs, and kisses on the cheek, depending on the context and region.

Social gatherings are a big part of Brazilian life, and This sense of connection is an important cultural trait, making Brazil a welcoming environment for both business and leisure. The country is known for its cultural diversity, bringing together various peoples and cultures to create a unique Brazilian identity.

Brazil has a passion for sports, particularly football (soccer), which is almost a national religion. In addition to football, volleyball, capoeira, and Formula 1 racing are also widely followed.

Cultural Fact

In Brazil, the concept of “jeitinho” is widely embraced in the workplace, referring to the creative and flexible way Brazilians approach problem-solving. It’s about finding innovative solutions, even in challenging situations, and reflects a spirit of adaptability and resilience that is highly valued in business and collaboration.

Industries

E-Commerce

Software Development

FinTech

Cloud Computing

AI

US Companies in Brazil

Google

Microsoft

IBM

Oracle

Amazon

Uber

Meta

Country Info

Capital: Brasília

Time Zone: (BRT) UTC-3

Population: 212.6 Million

Currency: (BRL) Brazilian Real

Brazil flag that navigates to a guide on outsourcing in Brazil when clicked on.

Brazil