Brazil: Over 43 million individuals rise above poverty line in June

Brazil’s Ministry of Development and Social Assistance, Family and Fight against Hunger announced on Wednesday (Jul. 12) that in June, 43.5 million individuals, equivalent to 18.52 million families, surpassed the poverty line. These families now enjoy monthly incomes exceeding BRL 218 per capita.

Bahia state registered the highest number of families surpassing the income threshold in June, with 2.26 million households. São Paulo followed closely with 2.25 million families, while Rio de Janeiro had 1.63 million, Pernambuco 1.48 million, and Minas Gerais 1.38 million.

"The relaunch of Brazil’s income transfer program Bolsa Família in March, fully implemented last month, played a significant role in raising the income of the most vulnerable population above the poverty line," stated the ministry.

In March, the federal government relaunched Bolsa Família with a minimum value of BRL 600, supplemented by an additional BRL 150 for children under 6 years old. In June, variable benefits of BRL 50 were introduced for pregnant women, children, and adolescents aged 7 to 18, with the minimum per capita value of the program set at BRL 142.

The ministry further explained that these reforms resulted in the highest average benefit amount in the history of the program, reaching BRL 705.4.