IBOV 183,827.59 ▲ 0.46% IPSA 11,055.91 ▼ 0.73% IPC MEX 64,944.41 ▼ 0.07% MERVAL 2,782,561 ▼ 0.59% COLCAP 2,558.92 ▼ 0.79% BVL PERÚ 60,220.45 ▲ 0.32% USD/BRL5.18▼ 0.87% USD/MXN18.03▲ 0.22% USD/CLP972.08▲ 0.38% USD/COP3,323▲ 0.62% USD/PEN3.44▼ 0.05% USD/ARS1,524▼ 0.05% USD/UYU40.27▲ 3.67% USD/PYG5,843▲ 2.30% USD/BOB11.96▲ 0.45% USD/DOP59.27▲ 2.75% USD/CRC452.68▲ 2.68% USD/GTQ7.64▲ 3.13% USD/HNL26.87▲ 3.23% USD/NIO36.62▲ 2.65% USD/VES855.74▼ 0.13% USD/PAB1.00— 0.00% USD/BZD2.00— 0.00% USD/JMD 157.28 — 0.00% USD/TTD6.70▲ 1.64% EUR/BRL5.88▼ 0.27% BRENT 88.88 ▼ 0.03% WTI 83.11 ▼ 0.11% IRON ORE 161.91 — — COPPER 6.61 ▲ 0.03% GOLD 4,461 ▲ 1.78% SILVER 65.59 ▲ 1.26% SOY 1,184 ▲ 3.20% CORN 480.50 ▲ 10.02% WHEAT 655.00 ▲ 3.93% COFFEE 317.25 ▼ 5.51% SUGAR 16.43 ▼ 1.79% ORANGE JUICE 138.55 ▼ 0.47% COTTON 85.03 ▲ 2.33% COCOA 5,719 ▲ 3.18% BEEF 223.60 ▼ 3.93% CATTLE 339.10 ▼ 3.16% LITHIUM 75.20 ▲ 1.47% PETR4 41.64 ▼ 0.05% VALE3 72.97 ▲ 0.83% ITUB4 38.60 ▼ 1.03% BBDC4 16.85 ▲ 0.36% ABEV3 14.89 ▼ 0.80% BBAS3 19.37 ▲ 0.47% B3SA3 14.26 ▼ 0.21% WEGE3 47.59 ▲ 0.49% PRIO3 59.14 ▼ 0.19% SUZB3 41.33 ▲ 2.35% RENT3 34.68 ▼ 0.09% AZZA3 15.89 ▼ 2.63% CSAN3 3.22 ▼ 1.83% RAIZ4 0.25 — 0.00% PCAR3 2.75 ▼ 0.36% GMAT3 3.65 ▼ 1.08% PSSA3 48.13 ▼ 0.54% CVCB3 1.33 ▼ 2.92% POSI3 3.36 ▲ 2.44% SLCE3 13.34 ▲ 0.30% NATU3 8.14 ▼ 0.73% IBOV 183,827.59 ▲ 0.46% IPSA 11,055.91 ▼ 0.73% IPC MEX 64,944.41 ▼ 0.07% MERVAL 2,782,561 ▼ 0.59% COLCAP 2,558.92 ▼ 0.79% BVL PERÚ 60,220.45 ▲ 0.32% USD/BRL 5.16 ▲ 0.01% USD/MXN 17.06 ▼ 0.24% USD/CLP 913.98 ▲ 0.04% USD/COP 3,140 ▲ 0.03% USD/PEN 3.36 ▼ 0.66% USD/ARS 1,493 ▲ 0.10% USD/UYU 40.27 ▲ 1.24% USD/PYG 5,939 ▲ 1.68% USD/BOB 11.64 ▼ 0.76% USD/DOP 58.34 ▲ 1.25% USD/CRC 445.92 ▲ 0.89% USD/GTQ 7.62 ▲ 2.21% USD/HNL 26.79 ▲ 1.57% USD/NIO 36.62 ▲ 0.69% USD/VES 762.44 ▼ 0.13% USD/PAB 1.00 — 0.00% USD/BZD 2.00 — 0.00% USD/JMD 157.28 — 0.00% USD/TTD 6.70 ▲ 0.61% EUR/BRL 5.95 ▲ 1.01% BRENT 88.88 ▼ 0.03% WTI 83.11 ▼ 0.11% IRON ORE 161.91 — — COPPER 6.61 ▲ 0.03% GOLD 4,461 ▲ 1.78% SILVER 65.59 ▲ 1.26% SOY 1,184 ▲ 3.20% CORN 480.50 ▲ 10.02% WHEAT 655.00 ▲ 3.93% COFFEE 317.25 ▼ 5.51% SUGAR 16.43 ▼ 1.79% ORANGE JUICE 138.55 ▼ 0.47% COTTON 85.03 ▲ 2.33% COCOA 5,719 ▲ 3.18% BEEF 223.60 ▼ 3.93% CATTLE 339.10 ▼ 3.16% LITHIUM 75.20 ▲ 1.47% PETR4 41.64 ▼ 0.05% VALE3 72.97 ▲ 0.83% ITUB4 38.60 ▼ 1.03% BBDC4 16.85 ▲ 0.36% ABEV3 14.89 ▼ 0.80% BBAS3 19.37 ▲ 0.47% B3SA3 14.26 ▼ 0.21% WEGE3 47.59 ▲ 0.49% PRIO3 59.14 ▼ 0.19% SUZB3 41.33 ▲ 2.35% RENT3 34.68 ▼ 0.09% AZZA3 15.89 ▼ 2.63% CSAN3 3.22 ▼ 1.83% RAIZ4 0.25 — 0.00% PCAR3 2.75 ▼ 0.36% GMAT3 3.65 ▼ 1.08% PSSA3 48.13 ▼ 0.54% CVCB3 1.33 ▼ 2.92% POSI3 3.36 ▲ 2.44% SLCE3 13.34 ▲ 0.30% NATU3 8.14 ▼ 0.73%
since 2009
Tuesday, September 29, 2026

Brazil’s Economic Freedom Advanced Under Bolsonaro’s Tenure

By · November 27, 2023 · 2 min read

The LatAm Brief

One email, every weekday morning. What moved in Latin American markets, politics and expat life.

Yesterday’s subject line: “Argentina gives Britain two weeks over Falklands oil”

Free. We send a confirmation link first — nothing arrives until you click it. Unsubscribe with one click in any edition. If you stop opening us for 30 days we stop sending by ourselves, as we assume the interest is no longer there. See our privacy policy. We never share your email.

A study by Mackenzie Presbyterian University shows an increase in Brazil’s economic freedom, with its average score rising from 4.06 in 2020 to 4.38 in 2021.

This indicates notable progress in the economic sector. São Paulo, Espírito Santo, and Mato Grosso do Sul excel in this area. Conversely, Roraima, Tocantins, and Piauí lag behind.

The study measures economic freedom on a scale of 0 to 10. Higher scores symbolize more freedom.

Free daily brief — no card needed
Get every Business - Brazil story in one morning email
We build you a personalized brief around the topics you follow — free for 7 days. Love it? Your first month after that is US$1.

Brazil’s current score, under 5, suggests potential for further improvement.

States with higher scores usually have lower taxes, more flexible labor markets, and less government spending.

These conditions foster economic growth, evident in increased GDP per capita and reduced unemployment in these areas.

This score improvement reflects enhancements in government spending, labor market regulation, and tax burden.

RT
Ask Rio Times
Latin American markets, currencies and companies.
Open the full Ask Rio Times →
One-stop reference
Company Intelligence
Every listed company in Latin America — financials, ownership and structure for 1,450+ companies across 26 exchanges, in one place.
Browse the directory →

Local government spending saw the biggest jump, from 5.85 to 6.50. The labor market’s score also rose, from 5.02 to 5.55. However, tax burden scores slightly declined.

The study underscores the link between government policies, economic freedom, and overall economic health.

The rise in Brazil’s score mirrors policy changes and governance improvements. This shift points to a brighter economic future.

Regionally, Latin America focuses on economic liberalization. Brazil’s progress matches these regional efforts.

Historically, Brazil struggled with high government spending and regulatory complexity.

Current improvements indicate a shift towards market-friendly policies essential for global competitiveness.

Despite improvements, Brazil’s economic freedom score remains modest compared to regional peers like Chile and Uruguay.

Chile and Uruguay Ahead

Brazil can learn from these countries to enhance its economic policies further.

The study’s emphasis on government spending, labor market freedom, and taxation is vital. Progress in these areas can attract more foreign investment and create jobs.

These changes are key to Brazil’s long-term economic stability and growth.

In conclusion, Brazil’s enhancement of economic freedom under Bolsonaro reflects significant policy reforms and regional alignment.

Future focus on reducing government expenditure, liberalizing labor markets, and rationalizing taxes will be crucial for Brazil’s ongoing economic prosperity.

This article was produced by The Rio Times’ automated newsroom system. How we use AI · Report an error

Read More from The Rio Times

The Rio Times · Power Map
See who really holds power in Latin America
Click to open the Power Map →

Rotate for Best Experience

This report is optimized for landscape viewing. Rotate your phone for the full experience.