Lucas do Rio Verde and Vilhena lead Brazil's medium‑city rankings

Lucas do Rio Verde was named the best medium‑size city in Brazil’s Centro‑Oeste region by Veja Negócios. The ranking considered employment, income, education, health and public‑management indicators. Over four decades the municipality grew from about 5,000 to more than 80,000 residents, with a per‑capita GDP exceeding R$ 100,000, driven by agribusiness firms such as FS, Amaggi and BRF and its location near the strategic BR‑163 corridor. The city also led national job creation for municipalities of its size in 2025 and manages an annual budget of roughly R$ 800 million, with most spending on health and education.

Vilhena was ranked the top medium‑size city in Brazil’s North region in the 2026 Veja Negócios list. Despite a decade of political instability, the city maintains strong economic relevance thanks to its position on the border with Mato Grosso, serving as a logistics hub for grain and livestock exports. Its economy is anchored by agribusiness, commerce, services and a notable vehicle‑mechanics sector, and it hosts several higher‑education institutions. Mayor Flori Cordeiro de Miranda Junior was credited for fiscal adjustments that improved public finances. Vilhena’s population exceeds 109,000, making it the third‑largest city in Rondônia.