Economic Activities in Brazil: Primary, Secondary, Tertiary, and Quaternary

Brazil, with a population of approximately 212 million (2024), is one of the most populous countries in the world. Located in South America, it covers a total area of 8,515,770 square kilometers, ranking 5th globally.

Brazil’s GDP (current USD) reached approximately $2.19 trillion in 2023, placing it among the world’s top ten economies by nominal GDP. (World Bank) In terms of GDP per capita, Brazil stood at approximately $10,310 in 2024. Despite facing structural challenges, Brazil’s diverse economy and abundant natural resources continue to drive its growth and development.

What are the economic activities of Brazil?

• Primary activities: approximately 6.2% of GDP (2023).
• Secondary activities: approximately 22.3% of GDP (2023).
• Tertiary activities: approximately 58.9% of GDP (2023).

Primary Sector of Brazil

Brazil’s primary sector, with approximately 28.6% agricultural land, thrives due to its diverse climate and abundant natural resources. Major products include sugarcane, soybeans, maize, milk, cassava, oranges, chicken, rice, beef, and wheat.

Agriculture contributes approximately 6.2% to GDP (2023), featuring a variety of crops and animal products crucial to the sector’s vitality and the country’s economy. (World Bank)

With its vast geological diversity, the primary sector thrives in Brazil, abundant in resources like iron ore, bauxite, gold, and hydropower. These resources drive the economy, supporting industries from mining to energy production and contributing significantly to the country’s economic growth.In addition to its diverse resources, Brazil is a major player in the global oil market, producing approximately 3.4 million barrels of crude oil per day in 2024 — ranking among the world’s top ten oil producers. The country holds approximately 16.2 billion barrels of proven oil reserves. Brazil’s natural gas production also continues to grow, with output ranking in the top 35 globally.

Secondary Sector of Brazil

What is the secondary sector or what are secondary activities?In Brazil, industrial products include textiles, shoes, chemicals, cement, lumber, iron ore, tin, steel, aircraft, motor vehicles and parts, as well as other machinery and equipment.Manufactures in Brazil’s total exports are relatively less significant, comprising only approximately 24% in 2023, indicating a diversified export portfolio.

Tertiary sector of Brazil

What is the tertiary sector or what are tertiary activities?This sector includes intangible goods like advice, expertise, and attention, catering to both consumers and businesses. Some of the key tertiary activities in Brazil are healthcare and medical care, education and training, banking and finance, communication and information exchange, tourism and hospitality, transportation and logistics, and media production and distribution. These activities play a significant role in driving the country’s economy and meeting the diverse needs of its population.Highlighting these, Brazil’s tourism industry plays a vital role in its economy, contributing significantly to GDP and employment. Brazil welcomed a record 6.65 million international tourists in 2024, with popular destinations including Rio de Janeiro (home to the iconic Christ the Redeemer statue) and the Amazon rainforest. (Brazilian Government)Another example of tertiary economic activity is the mobile cellular sector, with approximately 213 million subscriptions, nearly matching the population. This extensive connectivity fosters technological innovation and supports digital services.

Military Activities and Economic Sectors of Brazil

It involves the primary sector, like resource extraction for military use, and the secondary sector, which includes manufacturing military equipment. The tertiary sector covers services provided by the military, while the quaternary sector focuses on military research and development. Lastly, the quinary sector deals with high-level military decision-making and strategy.

In 2023, Brazil’s military expenditure was $22,887.5 million, which is approximately 1.05% of its GDP. (SIPRI) The active military force consists of 366,500 personnel, resulting in about 9.6 active military members for every 1,000 people in the country.

Biggest company in Brazil

Which is the biggest company in Brazil? The largest publicly listed company by market capitalization is Petrobras (Petróleo Brasileiro S.A.), with a market value of approximately $100 billion (as of 2025). It operates in the energy industry, focusing on oil and gas production. Petrobras was founded in 1953 and plays a vital role in Brazil’s economy. (companiesmarketcap.com)

International Trade of Brazil

Import Activities of Brazil

Brazil’s import activities are significant, with total imports of goods and services reaching approximately $252.7 billion in 2023, accounting for approximately 15.7% of the country’s GDP. (World Bank WITS)Brazil’s import activities are significant, with key partners like China, the US, Germany, Argentina, and India. The country mainly imports refined petroleum, fertilizers, vehicle parts, crude petroleum, and pesticides.

Exports Activities of Brazil

In 2023, Brazil’s total exports of goods and services reached approximately $339.7 billion, constituting approximately 17.97% of its GDP. (World Bank WITS) Brazil’s export activities are diverse and growing, highlighting the country’s significant reliance on export activities for economic growth and stability.Brazil’s export activities are diverse, with top partners including China, the US, Argentina, the Netherlands, and Spain. Key export commodities are soybeans, crude petroleum, iron ore, refined petroleum, and corn.

Brazil economy challenges in 2024

Brazil faces ongoing challenges including income inequality, fiscal pressures, and environmental concerns related to deforestation in the Amazon. Despite these hurdles, the economy has shown resilience, with growing exports of agricultural commodities and energy products driving GDP growth.

Sources

• World Bank: Brazil Country Data
• IMF: Brazil
• World Bank WITS: Brazil Trade 2023
• UN Comtrade Plus: Trade Flow
• SIPRI Military Expenditure Database

Last updated: June 20, 2026