Brazil

Why workers at exporting firms learn and earn more

Workers at exporting firms experience more rapid skill and productivity growth, especially when firms export to high-income destinations, thereby amplifying the overall gains from trade.

Trade

Xiao Ma Marc Muendler Alejandro Nakab

Published

04.11.25

The unintended consequences of Brazil’s landmark anti-corruption campaign

Anti-corruption campaigns – such as Brazil’s Lava Jato – can reduce corruption but may also trigger significant unintended economic costs – disrupting credit markets while reducing employment and wage bills across both targeted and non-targeted firms...

Institutions & Political Economy

Claudio Ferraz Luiz Moura Lars Norden Ricardo Schechtman

Published

16.10.25

When taxpayers see unfairness, they may stop paying their tax bill

Taxpayers respond not only to how much they are taxed, but also to whether the system feels fair: inequities created by crude tax proxies can reduce compliance as much as high rates themselves. Better data and technology can help states improve fairn...

Public Economics

Michael Best Luigi Caloi Francois Gerard Evan Kresch Joana Naritomi Laura Zoratto

Published

16.09.25

Can labour policy support workers in the new digital economy?

In Brazil, labour policy aims to support the most vulnerable workers, yet actual labour practice disproportionately supports the skilled workforce in adjusting to technological change – those workers already poised to benefit from advances in digital...

Labour Markets

Carlos H.L. Corseuil Jennifer P. Poole

Published

12.09.25

How developing the renewable energy sector increased employment in Brazil

The development of the wind energy sector in Brazil improved employment in recipient municipalities—with workers under the age of 40 and those without high school degrees benefitting the most.

Energy & Environment

Danae Hernández-Cortés Sophie Mathes

Published

30.07.25

Electoral reform in Brazil reduced voter fraud and improved public services

Evidence from Brazil highlights how tackling voter fraud can not only protect election integrity, but also enhance political accountability, improve leadership quality, and promote better governance outcomes.

Institutions & Political Economy

Ridwan Karim

Published

28.07.25

The two faces of agricultural modernisation: How modern farming causes conflict

Agricultural modernisation in Brazil has driven economic growth but also intensified land inequality and redistributive conflict. As capital-intensive farming expands, it displaces rural communities and fuels organised land occupations—highlighting t...

Agriculture

Stefano Falcone Michele Rosenberg

Published

24.07.25

Understanding self-employment in Brazil: Can people afford to search for jobs?

Material scarcity and financial constraints appear to be the main drivers of self-employment for approximately two-thirds of urban own-account workers in Brazil.

Labour Markets

Thiago Scarelli David Margolis

Published

01.08.25

Disability employment quotas in Brazil: Enforcing the law with limited capacity

When it comes to labour laws, enforcement is often challenging, especially in developing countries. But what if enforcing regulations against just a few companies could influence dozens of others to comply as well? New research on Brazil's disability...

Labour Markets

Samuel Berlinski Jessica Gagete-Miranda

Published

11.07.25