In 2022, Brazil had 16.4 million people living in favelas across 656 cities, according to data from the 2022 Demographic Census released on Friday (08/11). According to the IBGE (Brazilian Institute of Geography and Statistics), this population of 16,349,928 individuals, representing about 8% of the country’s population, is spread across 12,348 such communities nationwide, with nearly half of them located in the Southeast region (48.7%).
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Southeast
In addition to having the highest number of favelas, the Southeast also accounts for 43.4% of the population living in these communities, equivalent to 7.1 million people, with more than half residing in the state of São Paulo. Following the Southeast in terms of regional distribution are the Northeast (28.3%), the North (20%), the South (5.9%), and the Center-West (2.4%). Among the states, São Paulo (3.6 million), Rio de Janeiro (2.1 million), Pará (1.5 million), and Bahia (1.4 million) collectively account for just over half of Brazil’s favela population.
Rocinha is the Largest
Rocinha remains the most populous favela in Brazil, with 72,021 residents, according to the IBGE’s 2022 Census. In the 2010 Census, it also topped the list, with 69,161 inhabitants. Residents often claim that the IBGE’s figures underestimate Rocinha’s population and, based on surveys conducted by the local community association, assert that the favela has over 150,000 residents. The 2022 Census recorded 30,371 permanently occupied private households in Rocinha, making it not only the most populous favela but also the one with the most households in the country. Rocinha had about 1,000 more residents than Sol Nascente in Brasília, the second-largest favela, with 70,908 inhabitants.
São Paulo
In the city of São Paulo, about 15% of its 11.4 million inhabitants live in favelas, according to the 2022 Census. In total, 1,728,265 people live in 1,359 communities in the state capital. Across the entire state, the favela population totals 3,630,519 people, or 8.2% of the total population, spread across 92 municipalities—a percentage close to the national average of 8.1%.
Analysis:
The data from the 2022 Demographic Census highlights the significant challenges faced by Brazil’s urban population, particularly the 16.4 million individuals living in favelas. Representing approximately 8% of the national population, these communities are often marked by inadequate housing, limited access to basic services, and systemic inequality. The Southeast region, which hosts 43.4% of the favela population, exemplifies how rapid urbanization without adequate infrastructure has led to the proliferation of informal settlements. These areas suffer from chronic issues such as poor sanitation, lack of public transportation, and limited educational and healthcare facilities.
The case of Rocinha, Brazil’s largest favela, underscores the complexity of these problems. While officially reported to have 72,021 residents, local estimates suggest a population exceeding 150,000, revealing gaps in data collection that hinder effective policymaking. Rocinha, like many other favelas, faces severe overcrowding, insufficient public services, and vulnerability to environmental risks such as landslides. Moreover, the high population density creates fertile ground for violence and organized crime, which thrive in areas neglected by the state.
