Brazil demographic shift increases healthcare and labor demand

Brazil is experiencing a rapid demographic shift characterized by an accelerating aging population. Data indicates that the elderly population (aged 60 and over) grew by 57.4% over a 12-year period, reaching approximately 32.1 million people, or 15.8% of the total population. This transition is occurring much faster than in Europe or the United States, which typically took 70 to 100 years to undergo similar changes.

This shift is placing significant pressure on the Brazilian healthcare system, increasing the demand for specialized medical services, mental health support, and long-term care. The growing need for professionals to manage chronic conditions and mobility issues has impacted the labor market. In April 2025, the supplementary health sector accounted for 21.4% of all formal jobs created in the country.

Additionally, the demographic change is affecting the workforce. As the proportion of children and adolescents under 14 decreases, more elderly citizens are remaining economically active. Research is currently underway to study the labor trajectories and occupational mobility of these older workers to better understand their role in the evolving economy.