Brazil’s rich history and culture has been shaped for hundreds of years by the people who have come to call it home. With every new group of people that migrates to the country, the identity of the nation evolves. For those searching for their Brazilian ancestors, knowing the history of immigrants in Brazil can be very beneficial.
Who Were the First Immigrants in Brazil?
When Brazil was established in 1500 by European countries, the country's population consisted mainly of around 2.4 million Amerindians who had resided in the country for thousands of years.
Like many countries in the Americas, Brazil’s early immigration history included colonization and slavery. Portuguese immigrants arrived in Brazil in the 1500s and began to establish a sugar-based plantation economy in the area. An original reliance on indigenous labor was insufficient, as many of the native people died of European diseases or fled from the area.
Portuguese settlers then decided to bring enslaved people from Africa. Centuries passed during which millions of Africans were brought to Brazil. It wasn’t until 1888 that slavery was abolished in Brazil.
Who Else Came to Brazil?
In the 1800s, technological advances and population growth led many people to migrate to new countries. Between 1870 to 1930, an estimated 2 to 3 million immigrants came to Brazil from more than 60 countries.
The greatest numbers of immigrants came from Portugal, Italy, Spain, and Japan. More than half of the newcomers who came to Brazil settled in the city of São Paulo.
Immigrants in Brazil since World War II
During World War II, immigration slowed because of restrictive immigration policies—less than 2,000 people entered the country per year.
After the war, in the 1950s, immigration began to increase again. Brazil became one of the first countries to once again accept immigrants from Japan, with about 47,000 Japanese immigrants coming to Brazil between 1952 and 1965. Many Japanese Brazilians settled in the rural areas, farming the countryside and turning land into profitable assets.
Also during this post-war period, many religious immigrants came to Brazil, including Muslim, Christian, and Jewish immigrants from the Middle East.
Recent Immigrants in Brazil
Brazil continues to be a desirable location for immigrants from around the world. In 2022, there were about 1.7 million registered immigrants in Brazil. Immigrants were coming from at least 60 different countries, with the largest populations coming from Venezuela, Haiti, Bolivia, the United States, and Colombia.
How to Search for Your Brazilian Ancestors
Now that you know more about the immigration history of Brazil, how can that information help you in your search for your Brazilian ancestors? Well, if you know your ancestors' countries of origin or the time they arrived in Brazil, you have a good place to start!
For example, if you know your Brazilian ancestor immigrated from Japan, you can start searching records from the 1950s in both Brazil and Japan to see what you can find.
In addition to a large, free database of records, FamilySearch offers resources and tips to help you in your search. If you’re having a hard time getting started, try finding your ancestor's town of origin in Brazil or search through the list of Brazilian records on the FamilySearch Wiki.
FamilySearch is here to help you find and connect with your ancestors. Create your free account today, and start your search!
Discover More about Your Brazilian Heritage
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