Brazil
Resilient democracy
↑Limited improvement2026 development data - not published research
The score supports the assessment. It does not compute the status on its own.
Courts remain independent and politically consequential, though politicisation concerns persist.
Journalists operate in a vibrant environment but face harassment and violence.
Elections remain competitive and meaningful with functioning administration.
Civic space is active, but violence against activists and minorities lowers resilience.
Institutions have demonstrated capacity to constrain anti-democratic challenges, though corruption remains significant.
Confidence: medium. Confidence reflects evidence quality and assessment certainty, not democratic quality.
Direction analysis
The trajectory is mildly positive. Courts, elections and political competition remain robust, while political violence, threats to journalists and civic activists, and corruption continue to constrain institutional quality.
What changed
Freedom House rates Brazil Free at 73/100, up from 72, and highlights competitive elections alongside persistent violence and corruption.
RETHINKK assessment
RETHINKK classifies Brazil as resilient with limited improvement. The system has demonstrated capacity to enforce electoral outcomes and institutional accountability.
Evidence
- Freedom HouseFreedom in the World 2026 - Brazil2026-03-19 / 2026-08-30Source ->Supports: judicialIndependence, mediaFreedom, electoralIntegrity, civicSpace, checksAndBalances
- V-Dem InstituteDemocracy Report 2026: Unraveling The Democratic Era?2026-03-17 / 2026-08-30Source ->Supports: judicialIndependence, mediaFreedom, electoralIntegrity, civicSpace, checksAndBalances