Inequality and poverty in Brazil
Perhaps the biggest factor adding to the amount of culture shock expats experience when moving to Brazil is social inequality. Brazil may be a world economic powerhouse, but the disparity between rich and poor is blatantly obvious. Huge slums, or favelas, are visible in most large cities. Expats in Brazil can generally afford to live particularly comfortably; domestic help is easily obtained and overseas and regional trips are the norm. Even private healthcare is easily accessible for expats in Brazil. However, this is not the case for a large percentage of Brazil’s population.