Brazil’s Rapid Aging Outpaces Care Capacity, Exposing Gaps in Workforce and Policy

Overview

• Official data show 32.1 million Brazilians are 60 or older (15.8% of the population), with the group projected to surpass children under 14 by 2030.
• Government projections indicate people 60+ could reach about 37.8% of the population by 2070, or roughly 75 million.
• Paid caregivers increased about 15% from 2019 to 2023 to roughly 840,000, yet around 60% of care and domestic jobs remain informal, limiting protections and training.
• Fiocruz research finds most elder care is provided by women in families without technical preparation, with the pandemic intensifying emotional strain.
• Brazil counts 3,167 geriatricians (1.49 per 100,000 people), and commentators urge multidisciplinary training and public investment as private providers expand caregiver training and supervision.