Demographic and Socioeconomic Inequalities between Whites and Indigenous in Brazil

Cláudio S. Dias Júnior, Federal University of Minas Gerais - Brazil

This article describes and compares some major demographic and socioeconomic indicators between whites and indigenous populations in Brazil. Using data from the 2000 Brazilian demographic Census, we analyzed the 15 Brazilian municipalities with the highest percentage of indigenous people. Our results show that when compared to whites, the indigenous population is younger: has elevated dependence ratio; has higher fertility level and infant mortality; present unfavorable socioeconomic conditions, such as lower education and income; and live in households with little access to electricity, piped water and sewage. The fact that the indigenous population represents an expressive percentage of the total population in the 15 municipalities analyzed does not mean that it has demographic and socioeconomic conditions similar to those of the white population.