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A recent analysis by Arthur Welle and Ana Luíza Matos de Oliveira examines the impact of the absence of the Brazilian state in providing health and education services. Using data from the Household Budget Survey (2017-2018), the Continuous National Household Sample Survey (PNADC), and the National Health Survey (PNS), the study “What if the State disappeared? An analysis of health and education expenditures based on class, race, gender, and Federative Units in Brazil” reveals that if the state ceased to provide these services, the most vulnerable populations—particularly women, Black individuals, and low-income groups—would face severe financial hardship.
The authors highlight that the public health and education systems are widely used by the country’s poorest populations, while the cost of private services varies across regions. In states like the Federal District, private services are significantly more expensive than in Amazonas, for example. The study points out that, without state support, household spending on private services could exceed up to 90% of the income of individuals in the first income percentile.
This analysis reinforces the crucial role of the state in ensuring social rights established by the 1988 Federal Constitution, particularly in health and education. However, the data also indicate that the withdrawal of these services could further exacerbate structural inequalities related to class, race, and gender, disproportionately affecting already vulnerable groups.
By proposing a reflection on the intersectionality of vulnerabilities in Brazil, the study sheds light on the essential role of public policies and the social risks posed by state retrenchment. Additionally, it underscores the need for ongoing policy reviews, particularly in the post-pandemic context, where poverty and inequality have been on the rise.
The full analysis is available to researchers, policymakers, and the general public, serving as a key resource for discussions on the future of Brazilian public policies.