Brazilian education sector sees bilingual growth amid rising tuition pressures

The bilingual education sector in Brazil is experiencing significant growth, with a 10% increase over the last five years. According to the Associação Brasileira do Ensino Bilíngue (ABEBI), approximately 3% of private schools in the country—roughly 1,200 institutions—now offer structured bilingual programs. This trend is particularly visible in Campinas, where the presence of multinational companies, research centers, and universities is driving demand for globalized education models. In response, SOMOS Educação has expanded its Start Anglo Bilingual School brand, recently launching 13 units, including a new presence in Campinas.

Simultaneously, private educational institutions are facing financial pressures. A study by Meira Fernandes indicates that approximately 80% of private schools in Brazil project tuition increases between 7% and 11% by 2027. This is attributed to the ‘scissors effect,’ where rising operational costs—such as payroll, legal obligations, pedagogical investments, and digital security—clash with revenue delays. Many schools report that late payments from families create cash flow challenges, as institutions must meet 100% of their budgetary commitments, including salaries and supplier costs, even when a portion of tuition revenue has not yet been collected.