Main points
- In the past two decades, high-profile scandals have made corruption a significant issue in public discourse. However, the sustainability of anti-corruption efforts has repeatedly been undermined by political and judicial interference.
- In recent years, Brazil has generally experienced a deterioration in the prevalence and levels of control of corruption, according to indicators.
- Despite some measures to rein in illicit campaign donations, new political finance risks have emerged such as illegal funding of disinformation campaigns.
- Transparency gaps have been identified regarding federal transfers, notably through the infrastructure development funds for subnational governing entities under the growth acceleration programme (PAC). For example, legislative budget amendments are increasingly introduced by political actors to direct public funds for the benefit of their states and municipalities.
- Public procurement processes can be vulnerable to risks of bid rigging, collusion and cartel behaviour, although the new public procurement framework promises to enhance transparency and oversight.
- Brazil’s anti-corruption legal framework is increasingly comprehensive but with noted gaps around lobbying and whistleblower protection.
- An array of institutional anti-corruption actors exists, but mostly at the federal rather than subnational levels. Some bodies have reportedly been subjected to political interference.
- Civil society and media voices face recurring threats, such as disinformation and violence.
