What you need to know
Brazil’s GDP grew only 1% in 2018 compared to 2017. The rate was considerably lower than the initial projections of 3% growth. An important influencing factor was the nationwide truck drivers’ strike that practically paralyzed the country for 10 days between May and June last year. In 2019, the economy’s recovery has also been slow. Brazil’s GDP contracted 0.2% in the first quarter, thus risking a new recession.
The truck drivers’ strike and political instabilities had a huge impact on Brazil’s economy in 2018. This year, the greatest problem seems to be the difficulties in approving the pension reform. Constant frictions between the government and the Congress have delayed the vote on the matter and have made companies postpone investments.
When it comes to the consumer, there is a certain optimism about the future, especially in terms of jobs creation, since the unemployment rate remained at a high level in 2018. According to the survey conducted for this Report, 51% of Brazilians believe the number of jobs available will improve in the future.
In addition, 77% of people think their financial situation will get better over the next 12 months. The purchasing power of the population, however, is not expected to reach the pre-recession levels any time soon, which means consumption rates will still reflect the financial difficulties Brazilians have faced in recent years.
Definition
This Report investigates the following issues for Brazil and their impact on Brazilians’ lifestyles:
Brazil’s economy and impactful factors over it
Education levels and the consequences of an aging population
Categories overview: what happened and what’s next for food (in and out of home), non-alcoholic beverages, alcoholic beverages (at home and on premise), health and wellbeing and personal finance
Brazilians’ financial situation and expectation for the future
Expectations about the country’s situation
Behaviors toward relationship with brands
Purchase behavior in past 12 months and over next 12 months
