Faces of inequality in Brazil: a look at those left behind

Abstract

This article analyzed advances in the reduction of inequalities in Brazil during the period from 2003 to 2015, in addition to the income perspective. The data reflect that, although relevant transformations have occurred, nevertheless, Brazil persists as one of the most unequal countries in the world. However, by placing a magnifying glass on the data about access to goods and services of the poorest 5% and 20% made available by the National Household Sample Survey (PNAD), the findings contradict the commonplace that only access to income and the consumption of the poorest was promoted in the period studied, without significant changes in the framework of access to basic rights, public policies of education, health, and infrastructure.