A new index from Folha has revealed that the difference in access to opportunities for whites and Blacks in Brazil is greater in the richer regions and prevails throughout the country.
The Racial Balance Sheet Index (IFER) was conceived by reporter Érica Fraga and developed using a methodology adapted by researchers Sergio Firpo, Michael França and Alysson Portella, from INSPER.
Brazil's Southeast and South regions have the highest inequality according to the indicator, which compares the proportion of Blacks and whites over 30 in the country's population with their weight in the strata with higher income, education and longevity.
The smallest imbalance is in the Midwest, which took over from the Northeast.
IFER exposes state discrepancies – the São Paulo index, the furthest from equity, is twice that of Amapá, the closest.
Despite improvement, the gaps are widespread, and inter-regional contrasts exist.
Translated by Kiratiana Freelon