Brazil Survey: 65% Prefer Less Government, 50% Want Lower Taxes

A Datafolha poll of 2,004 voters in 139 Brazilian municipalities (June 17‑18) shows a growing preference for reduced reliance on the state. Sixty‑five percent agree with the statement “the less I depend on the government, the better my life will be,” the highest share since the series began in 2013. By contrast, 31 % say more government benefits improve life and 4 % gave no answer.

Half of the respondents (50 %) favor paying lower taxes and obtaining health and education privately, while 44 % would accept higher taxes to keep those services free. In the 2022 edition the two positions were roughly equal. The survey also records a rise in the view that poverty is mainly due to lack of willingness to work, jumping from 22 % in 2022 to 40 % now.

Responses vary by demographics: 71 % of men and 59 % of women support less government dependence; 56 % of men prefer lower taxes versus 39 % of women. Among evangelicals, 56 % back lower taxes, compared with a 47‑47 split among Catholics. Politically, 65 % of Lula (PT) voters favor higher taxes for public services, while 65 % of Flávio Bolsonaro (PL) supporters prefer lower taxes and private provision.