This document summarizes a survey of 250 Brazilian immigrants in Massachusetts who send remittances to Brazil. The survey finds that compared to other Latin American immigrant groups, Brazilian remitters tend to be older (average age of 35.63), more likely to be male (66.4% of remitters are male), and more educated (27.6% have a college degree). Brazilian remitters also have higher incomes than other immigrant groups, with 32.4% earning over $35,000. The document provides these findings to profile the demographic characteristics of Brazilian remitters in Massachusetts.

1. A Profile of Brazilian Remitters
in Massachusetts
July 2007
Alvaro Lima & Pete Plastrik

2. A Profile of Brazilian Remitters
in Massachusetts
July 2007
Alvaro Lima & Pete Plastrik

3. INTRODUCTION
3

4.  This research was done by the Transnational
Community Development Network - TransComm
- in partnership with the Innovation Network for
Communities – INC;
 INC is a national non-profit organization focused
on supporting civic entrepreneurs to develop
and spread scalable innovations that transform
the performance of community systems;
 TransComm’s mission is to help immigrant
communities in the U.S. to develop their
economic, political and social-cultural
4
transnational capitals.

5.  This research was funded by a grant from the
Kellogg Foundation and completed during the
period May-July 2007;
 The research traces the demographic profile, the
pattern of use of remittances and the presence
of transnational behavior among Brazilians
residing in MA and sending money to their
country;
5

6. METHODOLOGY
6

7.  According to the Census PUMS 2000, the total number
of Brazilian-born adult (25+) immigrants in
Massachusetts is 24,056, representing 15.9% of the total
of Brazilians in the U.S., second only to Florida (21.1%);
 A sample of 250 subjects (1/1000) is representative of
the population with a confidence interval of 6.17% at a
confidence level of 95%. Inferences drawn from survey
questions specifically directed to remitters should be
limited to Brazilian remitters in MA;
 However, according to the American Development
Bank – MIF, the percentage of immigrants who send
money from MA is 70% so that the inference based on
remitters cover a large part of all adult Brazilians;
7

8.  The routes for the field work were designed around
remittance agencies that send money to Brazil in
the cities and areas with the greater Brazilian
population;
 The subjects were selected randomly and intercepted
at remittance agencies, to ensure that they were active
senders;
 A staff of 5 Portuguese speaking interviewers was
provided by TransComm and trained in administering
the surveys by Silvestre HMR&S who also tabulated the
results;
8

9.  Unless otherwise indicated, all results are statistically
significant at a probability level of .0001;
 The survey included some questions from the 2003 and
2006 surveys directed by Manuel Orozco of the Inter-
American Dialogue in order to compare Brazilians with
immigrant from other nationalities.
9

10. 2006 Survey – Comparison Sample
City
Nationality NY-NJ Los Angeles Chicago DC-Alexandria Miami-F. Lauderdale Total
Mexico 100 300 200 600
Dominican Rep. 300 300
Jamaica 200 100 300
El Salvador 100 100 200 400
Guatemala 100 100
Bolivia 200 200
Nicaragua 100 100
Total 700 500 200 400 200 2000
10

11. 2003 Survey – Comparison Sample
City
Nationality New York Los Angeles Miami Total
Colombia 100 100
Cuba 175 175
Ecuador 100 100
El Salvador 100 110 210
Guatemala 109 109
Guyana 236 236
Honduras 75 75
México 100 182 282
Nicaragua 150 150
Dominican Republic 150 150
Total 686 401 500 1587
11

12. DEMOGRAPHICS
OF BRAZILIAN
REMITTERS
12

13.  The age of Brazilian remitters (35.63) is close to the
average (34.38) but statistically higher:
Average Age by Nationality
45.00 AVERAGE = 34.38
41.14
40.00 36.85 35.96 35.63 35.19
34.36
33.45
35.00 31.56
30.00
25.00
20.00
15.00
10.00
5.00
0.00
il r
ua
ma
la
aic
a
ra z via p. ico do
rag B oli Re ex va
a ate Ja
m B n M al
Nic Gu ini
ca ElS
m
Do
13

14.  Brazilians are the second nationality in the proportion
of male remitters (66.4%) while this proportion is
reversed for Salvadoran 63.8% female:
Gender by Country of Origin
70.0 66.4%
60.0
50.0
40.0
Male
30.0
Female
20.0
10.0
0.0
p.
ala zi l co ua ica ivia Re do
r
em Bra exi rag ma Bol can lva
Gu
at M
Nic
a Ja ini Sa
14 Dom El

15.  Although the general level of education among
Brazilians is high school, they rank third in College
degrees:
Education by Nationality
60.0
50.0
40.0
30.0
20.0
10.0
0.0
Nicaragua Jamaica Brazil Dominican Rep. Bolivia Mexico El Salvador Guatemala
College degree Some college High School Elementary Not elementary
15

16.  While the typical education level for Brazilian males is
high school (36.75%), one out of four females
(23.81%) has a college degree:
Education by Gender
40.00%
35.00%
30.00%
25.00%
20.00% Male
Female
15.00%
10.00%
5.00%
0.00%
College Some College High School Elementary Did not finish
degree School Elementary
16

17.  Brazilian remitters have the greater proportion of higher
incomes (32.4%) and the lower proportion of lesser income
(1.6%). One out of three Brazilians has higher income than other
L.A. and Caribbean immigrants:
Income by Nationality
35.00%
30.00%
25.00%
20.00%
15.00%
10.00%
5.00%
0.00%
Brazil Bolivia Nicaragua Jamaica Guatemala Dominican Rep. Mexico El Salvador
17 Less than 10,000 10,000 to 15,000 15,001 to 20,000 20,001 to 25,000 25,001 to 30,000 30,001 to 35,000 Over 35,000

18.  One out of every three Brazilians in MA, regardless of
their educational level, has an income of over
$35,000; except those with some college education,
whose majority earns between $20K to $25K:
Income by Education
40.00%
35.00%
30.00%
25.00%
20.00%
15.00%
10.00%
5.00%
0.00%
College degree Some college High School Elementary School Did not finish
Elementary
Less than $10,000 $10,000 to $15,000 $15,001 to $20,000 $20,001 to $25,000 $25,001 to $30,000
18 $30,001 to $35,000 More than $35,000

19.  Compared to other L.A. and Caribbean immigrant
communities, Brazilians have the lowest proportion of
U.S. citizenship (3.2%):
U.S. Citizenship by Nationality
60.00% 56%
50.00%
43%
40.00%
30.00%
20.00% 17.3% 16%
14% 12.8% 12%
10.00%
3.2%
0.00%
p.
ica Re or via ua ico la azi
l
ma an vad oli rag ex ma Br
Ja nic Sa
l B
Nic
a M ate
mi El Gu
19 Do

20.  Most Brazilians who are U.S. citizens have lived in the
country over fifteen years (1.21%) or between six to
eight years (0.81%):
Years in US / Citizenship No Yes Total
Less than a year 4.03% 4.03%
Between one and three years 40.73% 40.73%
Between four and five years 23.79% 0.40% 24.19%
Six to eight years 20.56% 0.81% 21.37%
Nine to ten years 1.21% 0.40% 1.61%
Eleven to fifteen years 3.23% 0.40% 3.63%
Over fifteen years 2.42% 1.21% 3.63%
NR 0.81% 0.81%
Total 96.77% 3.23% 100.00%
Largest 2nd Largest 3rd Largest
20

21.  The majority of Brazilians who are U.S. citizen (37.5%)
have been living in the U.S. for over 15 years. One out
of four (25%) have been living in the U.S. from 6 to 8
years:
Citizenship by years in US
40.00
37.5%
35.00
30.00
25%
25.00
20.00
15.00
12.5% 12.5% 12.5%
10.00
5.00
0.00
Between four Six to eight Nine to ten Eleven to fifteen Over fifteen
and five years years years years years
21

22.  As most immigrants, the majority of Brazilian
immigrants (85.6%) has been living in the U.S.
between 1 and 8 years:
Years in US Brazil Honduras Colombia Cuba Nicaragua Guatemala Mexico El Salvador Guyana Ecuador Dom. Republic
Less than 1 4.0% 6.7% 8.0% 4.0% 4.0% 8.3% 6.7% 0.5% 0.8% 3.0% 2.0%
1 to 3 40.4% 37.3% 32.0% 27.4% 26.7% 24.8% 21.6% 16.2% 13.1% 12.0% 4.7%
4 to 5 24.0% 17.3% 31.0% 22.9% 31.3% 24.8% 23.4% 28.1% 14.8% 20.0% 13.3%
6 to 8 21.2% 18.7% 15.0% 17.7% 12.7% 20.2% 14.2% 17.6% 30.9% 31.0% 18.0%
9 to 10 1.6% 9.3% 7.0% 16.0% 10.7% 4.6% 14.5% 11.9% 14.4% 28.0% 26.7%
11 to 15 3.6% 4.0% 3.0% 3.4% 4.7% 1.8% 7.1% 8.6% 8.1% 4.0% 14.7%
Over 15 3.6% 6.7% 4.0% 8.0% 10.0% 12.8% 12.4% 15.2% 11.0% 2.0% 20.0%
Largest 2nd Largest 3rd Largest
22

23.  The majority of Brazilians (85.6%) are employed.
12.4% of them own a business:
Employment
85.6%
90.0%
80.0%
70.0%
60.0%
50.0%
40.0%
30.0%
20.0% 12.4%
10.0% 0.8% 0.4% 0.4% 0.4%
0.0%
r d t er e
ed ne ye en rk w if
ploy s ow plo tud wo use
Em es em S ce Ho
s in Un e la n
Bu Fre
23

24.  College education is found only among business owners
(50%), students and housewives. These different
education levels do not affect incomes which is over
$35k for almost all levels:
5
4
Education
3
2
1
Employed Unemployed Freelance worker
Student Business owner Housewife
24
Occupation

25.  The typical Brazilian household is composed of 3 to 4
people mostly (82%) adults over 21 :
25

26.  Almost half (44.4%) of Brazilian remitters have been
in the U.S. less than 3 years. The other half (45.2%)
have lived in the country between 4 to 8 years:
Years in the U.S.
45
40.4%
40
35
30
24%
25
21.2%
20
15
10
4% 3.6% 3.6%
5 1.6%
0
Less than 1 1-3 4-5 6-8 9 - 10 11 - 15 Over 15
26

27.  Most Brazilians are renters (88%), with only 10.8% of
owning houses. The median income for homeowners
(over $35,000) is higher than that of renters ($31,000
to $35,000):
House Ownership by Income
70.00%
60.00%
50.00%
40.00%
Own house
30.00% Rent
20.00%
10.00%
0.00%
Less than 10,000 to 15,001 to 20,001 to 25,001 to 30,001 to Over
27
10,000 15,000 20,000 25,000 30,000 35,000 35,000

28. FINANCIAL
BEHAVIOR OF
BRAZILIAN
REMITTERS
28

29.  Almost every other nationality, 50% of Brazilians send
money home once a month. 33.2% remit twice a
month, and 9.2% once every three months:
Frequency of remittances by nationality
80.0
70.0
60.0
50.0
40.0
30.0
20.0
10.0
0.0
Nicaragua Guatemala Mexico Bolivia Brazil Dominican Jamaica El Salvador
Republic
29 Once a month Twice a month Once every three months Once every six months Once a year Other

30.  Cities from Minas Gerais are the most important receiving
cities in Brazil:
Beneficiary Cities
8 7.6%
7.2%
7
6%
6 5.6%
5.2%
4.8%
5
4 3.6%
3.2%
2.8% 2.8%
3 2.4%
2
1
0
lia res en
a nte ga ulo iba ria a ru iro
bra alada iro P orizo patin o Pa Curit Vito ricium Jau Jane
So r V he H I Sa C de
do sel Belo Rio
na Con
ver
Go
30

31.  Minas Gerais, Espirito Santo, and Sao Paulo are
Brazil’s top receiving states:
Beneficiary States
60
51.6%
50
40
30
20
9.6%
10 6.4% 6% 5.2% 4.4% 3.6% 3.6% 2.4%
0
era
is nto ulo ina ra n
a
bu
co ss
o
ne
iro oia
s
Sa Pa tar Pa ro Ja G
sG irit
o
Sa
o Ca rn
am to
G
de
na ta Pe Ma
Mi Es
p
Sa
n
Rio
31

32.  Although the mean of the most recent transaction is
$747, the mode is $500 with a distribution tilted to
the left:
32

33.  Even correcting for outliers, monthly remittances for
Brazilians ($875) are much higher than the average
for other L.A. communities:
Monthly Remittance by Nationality
$875
$900
$800
$700
$600
ABOVE AVERAGE
$500 $398
AVERAGE = $294
$400 $331
$278 $274
$300 BELOW AVERAGE
$218
$192 $188 $185 $177
$200
$113
$100
$-
il or xico la a R. ia a or as uba
raz cuad
B E é tema uyan nican lomb aragu lvad ndur C
M a G i Co a
Gu Dom Nic El S Ho
33 OBS: Monthly amounts are high even when corrected for gender, education, annual income and years in the U.S..

34.  Although the average fee for remittances is $9.28, the
distribution is tilted to the left with a median around
$10:
34

35.  Compared to the 2006 sample, Brazilians display a
very different behavior with regard to preferred
agency. Braz Transfers is their first choice, with
Western Union in second and Chang Express in third:
Preferred Agency BRAZIL MEXICO DOMINICAN R. JAMAICA EL SALVADOR GUATEMALA BOLIVIA NICARAGUA
Braz Transfers 33.20%
Western Union 20.08% 33.67% 23.33% 45.50% 18.75% 30.00% 14.50% 15.00%
Chang Express 13.60%
Uno Transfer 13.20%
Money Gram 6.80% 3.00% 12.33% 36.00% 21.25% 3.00% 1.00% 2.00%
Global 3.60%
Mexico Express 19.00%
Banco Agrícola 21.50% 7.00%
Pronto Envíos 3.50% 18.00% 0.50% 13.00%
Ria Envía 3.50% 3.00% 0.50% 5.00% 11.00% 2.00% 8.00%
La Nacional 36.50%
Dolex 6.67% 2.33% 1.00% 3.00% 8.00%
Largest 2nd Largest 3rd Largest
35

36.  The majority of Brazilians are very satisfied (41.6%) or
satisfied (51.2%) with their remittance agencies:
Level of Satisfaction with Company
36

37.  Compared to the 2003 sample, the majority of
Brazilians (75%), as every other L.A. and Caribbean
immigrants, do not use services other than
remittances. 11.6% of them use money orders while
3.6% use check cashing:
Other services Brazil Guyana Ecuador Nicaragua Cuba Colombia Dominican R. Guatemala Honduras México El Salvador
Money order 11.6% 1.3% 17.1% 9.8% 5.5%
Check cashing 3.6% 0.7%
Bill payment 1.2%
Buy airplane tickets 0.4%
Buy different things 0.4%
Payday loan 0.4%
Checking account 0.4%
Other 7.0% 68.1% 51.3% 42.6% 39.6% 37.6% 32.3% 16.2% 30.0% 15.8% 6.9%
None 75% 31.9% 48.7% 57.4% 60.4% 62.4% 66.5% 66.7% 70.0% 73.7% 87.6%
OBS: Other services and products made use by the other L.A. and Caribbean communities include phone cards, phone booths
and cargo services.
Largest 2nd Largest 3rd Largest
37

38.  While Brazilians choose an agency based on of the
accessibility or convenience of service, other L.A. and
Caribbean immigrants look for quality of service and
company reputation:
Reasons to prefer agency Brazil México Dominican R. Jamaica El Salvador Guatemala
Close/Convenient/More agencies 27.3% 30.8% 16.0% 7.5% 12.8% 34.0%
Costumer service/Friendly staff/Language 22.2% 0.8% 8.3% 13.5% 14.0% 5.0%
Accessible/Easy to use/Services/Schedules 20.1% 14.8% 5.0% 11.0% 8.3% 11.0%
Prestige/Well know/Recommended 16.1% 8.5% 2.0% 2.5% 3.8% 4.0%
Price/Exchange rate/Free/Discounts 14.0% 10.2% 13.7% 16.0% 9.3% 27.0%
Responsible/Secure/Trustworthy 30.2% 32.3% 23.5% 53.3% 32.0%
Fast/Punctual/Efficient/No problems 25.7% 28.0% 28.5% 20.3% 19.0%
OBS: 2003 sample comparison.
1st Choice 2nd Choice 3rd Choice
38

39.  Consistently, the majority (63.6%) of the agencies
preferred by Brazilians are at walking distance from
home, although one out of three (32%) are at a less
than 30 minutes drive:
Distance of Transfer Company from Home
70.0% 63.6%
60.0%
50.0%
40.0% 32.0%
30.0%
20.0%
4.0%
10.0% 0.4%
0.0%
Walking distance Less than 30 Between 30 and 60 Don't know
minutes drive minutes
39

40.  Mother/father are the main beneficiaries of
remittances for every country, except Guyana. Second
place beneficiaries for Brazilians are husband/wife.
For Brazilians, as for Nicaraguans, Cubans and
Dominicans, children come in third:
Beneficiary Brazil Guatemala México Colombia Nicaragua Ecuador El Salvador Cuba Dominican R. Honduras Guyana
Mother/Father 36.3% 49.5% 48.2% 46.0% 43.3% 39.0% 36.7% 36.6% 36.0% 30.7% 11.4%
Husband/Wife 21.4% 22.9% 24.5% 14.0% 15.3% 9.0% 24.8% 7.4% 13.3% 26.7% 8.5%
Your Children 19.3% 5.5% 8.2% 20.0% 15.3% 36.0% 11.9% 16.0% 14.7% 13.3% 16.9%
Your Siblings 14.6% 14.7% 13.1% 9.0% 18.7% 14.0% 14.8% 24.6% 19.3% 18.7% 6.8%
Other relatives 3.9% 6.4% 3.9% 3.0% 2.7% 1.0% 5.7% 8.0% 8.7% 4.0% 18.2%
Friends 2.1% 0.5% 2.7% 1.3% 1.3%
Business Partner 2.1%
Other 0.3%
Grandparents 0.9% 2.1% 8.0% 4.7% 1.0% 5.2% 7.4% 5.3% 5.3% 1.3%
OBS: 2003 sample comparison.
Largest 2nd Largest 3rd Largest
40

41.  Like in many other L.A. communities, Food (24.6%)
and Clothing (17.3%) are the main articles bought
with remittances in Brazil. Medical expenses come in
third place for Brazilians while housing is the third
choice for every other communities:
Nationality
Uses Brazil Nicaragua Cuba Guatemala El Salvador Colombia Honduras Ecuador México Dominican R.Guyana
Food 24.60% 96.7% 96.6% 89.9% 89.5% 89.0% 88.0% 87.0% 86.9% 81.3% 72.0%
Clothing 17.30% 68.7% 44.6% 69.7% 55.7% 59.0% 56.0% 29.0% 49.3% 25.3% 61.9%
Medical 16.90% 10.7% 3.4% 3.7% 3.3% 8.0% 1.3% 4.0% 2.8% 6.7%
Housing 15.90% 34.0% 16.6% 56.0% 46.2% 29.0% 32.0% 11.0% 37.2% 32.7% 33.1%
Education 11.60% 29.3% 11.4% 39.4% 36.7% 31.0% 28.0% 20.0% 36.9% 21.3% 26.7%
Don't Know 7.30% 2.7% 3.4% 11.0% 8.1% 6.0% 2.7% 8.0% 12.4% 8.0% 16.1%
Business 5.30% 2.7% 0.6% 1.8% 2.4% 4.0% 1.0% 3.5% 4.0% 8.5%
Savings 2.00% 0.6% 1.0% 0.7% 1.3%
Other 8.00% 0.7% 1.1% 2.8% 4.8% 3.0% 8.0% 5.0% 8.7% 8.5%
OBS: 2003 sample comparison.
Largest 2nd Largest 3rd Largest
41

42.  Years sending money to Brazil, has a perfect
correlation with years living in the U.S., that is, the
longer Brazilians live in the U.S. the longer they send
money to Brazil. The same general tendency holds
true for all other groups included in the 2003 sample:
Percentage of the total Years sending money
Years in US <1 1 - 3 4 - 5 >5 NR Grand Total
<1 4.0% 4.0%
1-3 2.4% 37.9% 0.4% 40.7%
4-5 3.2% 20.6% 0.4% 24.2%
6-8 2.0% 4.4% 14.9% 21.4%
9 - 10 0.4% 0.4% 0.8% 1.6%
11 - 15 0.4% 0.8% 0.4% 2.0% 3.6%
>15 3.6% 3.6%
NR 0.4% 0.4% 0.8%
Grand Total 7.3% 44.4% 25.8% 22.2% 0.4% 100.0%
42

43.  Unlike every other L.A. and Caribbean immigrants,
92.4% of Brazilians prefer sending money by making a
deposit into the beneficiary’s bank account. Only 6%
prefers sending cash:
Preferred Method of Transfer Funds
43

44.  Brazilians, along with Salvadorans and Nicaraguans, have
an average number of people (70.4%) with bank accounts
in the U.S.. Mexicans and Guatemalans have below
average numbers while Jamaicans, Bolivians and
Dominicans have above average:
Bank Account in the U.S.by Nationality
90.0 84.5 Above Average
80.0 75.5 75.0
70.4
70.0 Average = 61.1%
58.3
60.0
53.0
Below Average
50.0
39.5
40.0
33.0
30.0
20.0
10.0
0.0
a ia R. az
il r ua o la
a ic liv an Br ad
o
rag xic a
am Bo nic alv ca Me tem
J mi S Ni ua
44 Do El G

45.  Statistical analysis shows that Education (p < .002) and
Years in the U.S. (p < .004) are the most important factors
in determining bank account ownership for Brazilians
residing in the U.S.:
Coefficients*
Non Standardized Coefficients Standardized
Coefficients
Model B Std. Error Beta t Sig.
1 (Constant) .849 .177 4.788 .000
Gender -.073 .068 -.076 -1.085 .279
Education -.079 .025 -.223 -3.171 .002
Annual personal
income range .001 .019 .002 .030 .976
How long have you
lived in the United .071 .024 .206 2.932 .004
States?
*Dependent Variable = Do you have a bank account in the United States?
45

46.  Bank of America is the first bank choice (44.8%) for
Brazilians as for many other L.A. and Caribbean
immigrants. Nevertheless, the second and third choices
for Brazilians, Citizens Bank (17.6%) and Sovereign Bank
(4.4%), are not mentioned by any other nationality:
Nationality
Bank in US BRAZIL MEXICO Dominican R. JAMAICA EL SALVADOR GUATEMALA BOLIVIA NICARAGUA
Bank of America 44.80% 8.50% 10.67% 9.50% 12.00% 8.00% 26.50% 13.00%
Citizens Bank 17.60%
Sovereign Bank 4.40%
Middlesex Bank 1.60%
Citibank 0.40% 5.50% 12.67% 18.00% 4.25% 3.00% 3.00%
Luso American Credit Union 0.40%
Chase 8.50% 18.00% 20.00% 3.75%
Washington Mutual 4.17% 7.67% 10.00% 3.75% 13.00% 20.00%
1st Choice 2nd Choice 3rd Choice
46

47.  As for almost all other L.A. and Caribbean immigrants, the
main reason for Brazilians not to have a bank account is
the lack of identification papers (40.7%), which is related
to Accessibility and Convenience. The second reason (36%)
is subjective – “I don’t need a bank account.” But the third
reason is also associated with Accessibility: “The process is
very complicated:”
Why not bank Brazil México Dominican R. Jamaica Colombia El Salvador Guatemala
I don't have identification papers 40.70% 34.50% 4.00% 2.00% 26.00% 30.75% 41.00%
I don't need a bank account 36.00% 21.17% 12.00% 10.50% 24.00% 12.50% 27.00%
The process is very complicated 11.60% 9.17% 4.33% 1.00% 8.00% 9.50% 8.00%
I don't speak English 8.10% 2.00%
I don't trust banks 2.30% 5.83% 6.33% 2.50% 1.00% 2.75% 6.00%
There is no bank near 1.20% 0.67% 0.33% 1.00%
1st Reason 2nd Reason 3rd Reason
47

48.  When arranged by nationality according to both credit
and debit card ownership, Brazilians stand in the middle
with one third of them (35.6%) holding a debit card and
another third (30.8%) holding neither of them:
Credit/Debit Card by Nationality
70.00%
60.00%
50.00%
40.00%
30.00%
20.00%
10.00%
0.00%
a ia R. il r ua la
ic l iv an az do ic o ma
a ma Bo n ic Br al va a r ag Me
x
te
J mi El
S Nic Gu
a
Do
Both Credit Debit None of them
48

49.  As with the monthly remittances, Brazilians make above
average monthly payments to credit cards ($744.74).
Nicaraguans, Mexicans and Salvadorans are between the
limits of the average ($325.43):
Monthly Payments to Credit Card by Nationality
$800.00
$714.74
$700.00
$600.00
$500.00
$413.21
$400.00 $341.00
$317.65 $301.51
$300.00 $265.45
$217.76 $212.52
$200.00
$100.00
$0.00
il via ua r
a la a R.
az ico do ic n
Br oli rag ex lva em ma ca
B c a M a a t Ja ini
Ni El
S Gu m
Do
49

50.  The majority of Brazilians (86.6%), as with other L.A. and
Caribbean immigrants, do not have economic obligations
in the U.S.. Only 6.3% of them have home loans payments
and only 3.9% have other loan payments:
Obligations in US Brazil Guyana Cuba Colombia Nicaragua Honduras Ecuador El Salvador Dominican R. Guatemala México
Does not have 86.60% 40.3% 75.4% 82.0% 84.7% 89.3% 96.0% 95.2% 88.7% 98.2% 97.5%
House payment loans 6.30% 34.3% 18.9% 13.0% 12.0% 6.7% 3.0% 2.4% 2.0% 1.8% 1.1%
Loans for other debts 3.90% 26.7% 1.0% 1.3% 1.0% 1.3% 0.7%
Business loans 1.60% 5.5% 2.3% 1.3% 2.0%
Education loans 1.60% 10.2% 4.6% 6.0% 2.7% 5.3% 1.0% 1.4% 6.0% 0.7%
Largest 2nd Largest 3rd Largest
50

51.  Two out of three (66.8%) Brazilians would be interested in
contributing a small portion of their remittances to
support a “development fund” to invest in their own
community:
Percentage of Brazilians Interested in Contributing to a Dev. Fund
51

52.  42.8% of Brazilians would contribute a 1% of the value of
remittance to the fund. One out of five (20%), could
contribute 2% to 5%:
Size of Contribution as a Percentage of Remittance Value
52

53.  When the monthly remittance to Brazil and the portion
donated to the fund are multiplied together, the potential
monthly investment would be $362,471. If instead, we use
the general average of $875 the potential investment
would be $295,918.90. We could also, to be more
conservative, use the mode value of $500 the total would
be $169,082.50:
Potential Monthly Investment in the Dev. Fund
How much money do you send to your home country per month?
Portion to support immigrant fund % of the total Brazilians in MA Average remittance % for support Estimated support
10 percent or more 2.4% 577 $795.00 $79.50 $45,898.85
6-9 percent 0.8% 192 $325.00 $24.38 $4,690.92
2-5 percent 19.6% 4,715 $1,166.12 $40.81 $192,438.38
1 percent 42.0% 10,104 $1,182.19 $11.82 $119,442.85
Total 64.8% 24,056 $1,152.41 --- $362,471.00
53

54. Almost half (42.4%) of the Brazilians surveyed, chose English
Services to be Sponsored by Investment Fund
45 42.4
40
35
30
25.6
25
19.6
20
15
10 6.8
5 2 1.6
0.4 0.4 0.4 0.4
0
.
us
se
s
all b ips ce
s
ied ce
s
cie
s
ce
s
nc
e
rse
s
las sm rsh rvi cif r vi en it tan st a ou
c la se e ls
e g si gc
sh ing ho re sp
ica ya em as
gli a nc Sc ca Not d n it i nr ci al ai nin
En Fin ild Me mu nt So Tr
Ch om ou
C sc
54 Di

55. TRANSNATIONAL
BEHAVIOR OF
BRAZILIAN
REMITTERS
55

56.  72% of Brazilian immigrants have never traveled back
home, along with Cubans, Guatemalans, Hondurans,
Colombians and Nicaraguans. Dominicans on the other
hand travel once or twice a year:
Travel to country Brazil Guyana Ecuador Rep. Dom.El Salvador México Nicaragua Colombia Honduras Cuba Guatemala
3 or more times a year 0.40% 5.08% 11.33% 1.43% 2.13% 2.00% 2.00% 0.92%
Twice a year 2.80% 10.59% 9.00% 24.00% 5.24% 4.26% 6.00% 7.00% 5.33% 2.29% 3.67%
Once a year 6.80% 23.31% 29.00% 32.67% 19.05% 17.02% 11.33% 13.00% 6.67% 10.86% 4.59%
Once every two years 1.60% 16.10% 26.00% 10.67% 5.24% 3.90% 13.33% 6.00% 12.00% 4.00% 3.67%
Once every three years 0.80% 9.32% 3.00% 3.33% 8.10% 5.32% 3.33% 2.67% 1.71% 0.92%
Less than 1 every 3 years 1.60% 22.88% 7.00% 16.00% 21.90% 12.41% 12.67% 15.00% 12.00% 13.14% 15.60%
I've never travelled 72.00% 32.38% 39.72% 51.33% 57.00% 58.67% 68.00% 70.64%
Median frequency
56

57.  As almost every other L.A. and Caribbean immigrant
community, Brazilians who travel, typically stay two to
three weeks (5.6%) or less than two months (5.2%):
Duration of Stay Brazil Guyana Dominican R. Ecuador El Salvador Cuba Nicaragua Colombia México Honduras Guatemala
A week or less 0.80% 7.63% 7.33% 1.00% 1.90% 1.71% 6.00% 7.00% 3.55% 5.33% 1.83%
2-3 weeks 5.60% 49.58% 48.67% 42.00% 26.67% 26.29% 26.00% 24.00% 18.79% 18.67% 18.35%
Less than 2 months 5.20% 16.10% 26.00% 20.00% 15.71% 3.43% 12.00% 9.00% 12.06% 13.33% 3.67%
More than 2 months 2.40% 1.69% 8.00% 9.00% 8.10% 3.33% 2.00% 6.38% 4.00% 4.59%
Not Applicable 72% 32.38% 68.00% 51.33% 57.00% 39.72% 58.67% 70.64%
1st Duration 2nd Duration 3rd Duration
57

58.  Brazilians (52%) are among the communities with high
frequency of phone calls home ( two or more times a
week) along with Dominicans and Ecuadoreans. Other L.A.
and Carribean immigrants typically call once a week,
except Guyanese and Cuban immigrants who call once
every two weeks:
Frequency of calls Dominican R. Ecuador Brazil Colombia Nicaragua Mexico El Salvador Honduras Guatemala Guyana Cuba
2 or more a week 60.7% 55.0% 52.4% 39.0% 28.7% 28.0% 23.8% 22.7% 21.1% 15.3% 11.4%
Once a week 16.7% 43.0% 35.2% 38.0% 40.0% 44.0% 34.3% 33.3% 34.9% 23.3% 34.3%
Once every 2 weeks 11.3% 2.0% 6.4% 16.0% 20.0% 14.2% 27.6% 25.3% 26.6% 28.0% 30.9%
Once a month 8.0% 4.0% 6.0% 8.0% 8.9% 11.4% 10.7% 12.8% 19.1% 16.0%
Less than once a month 3.3% 1.6% 1.0% 2.0% 3.9% 2.9% 6.7% 4.6% 6.4% 3.4%
NR 0.4% 1.3% 1.1% 1.3% 8.1% 4.0%
Median frequency
58

59.  The median call length for Brazilians is 21 to 30 minutes,
along with Dominicans, Colombians, Hondurans and
Nicaraguans. The lengthier calls, more than 30 minutes,
are made by Guatemalans, Salvadorans and Mexicans.
Ecuadorean, Cuban, and Guyanese immigrants typically
call for 11 to 20 minutes:
Length of calls Guatemala El Salvador Mexico Dominican R. Brazil Colombia Honduras Nicaragua Ecuador Cuba Guyana
Less than 5 min. 0.5% 2.5% 0.7% 1.2% 2.0% 4.0% 0.7% 4.6% 3.4%
6 to 10 min. 1.8% 4.3% 3.2% 6.7% 7.2% 10.0% 14.7% 9.3% 4.0% 21.1% 15.3%
11 to 20 min. 9.2% 11.4% 7.8% 13.3% 18.8% 15.0% 20.0% 24.7% 45.0% 39.4% 39.0%
21 to 30 min. 18.3% 22.4% 29.4% 35.3% 28.4% 32.0% 25.3% 36.0% 37.0% 21.1% 22.0%
More than 30 min. 64.2% 59.0% 55.7% 44.0% 44.0% 40.0% 29.3% 26.0% 13.0% 9.7% 7.6%
Median Length
59

60.  All Brazilians buy products made in their country of origin,
as do 95% of Ecuadorians. Salvadorans, Guatemalans and
Cubans show below average purchases:
Purchasing of Nostalgic Products
100.00%
ABOVE AVERAGE
90.00%
80.00% AVERAGE = 72%
70.00%
BELOW AVERAGE
60.00%
50.00%
40.00%
30.00%
20.00%
10.00%
0.00%
il r a as R. or la
az do gu ya
na bia xic
o
ur an ad a b a
Br ua ara Gu lom Mé nd nic lv tem Cu
Ec Ni
c Co Ho mi Sa ua
Do El G
60

61.  Almost half of the Brazilians (45.4%) purchase foods and
spices from Brazil. One out of five (20.5%) buy Brazilian
videos, DVDs and CDs with clothing occupying the third
place (17.8%):
Purchasing of Nostalgic Products
50.0% 45.4%
45.0%
40.0%
35.0%
30.0%
25.0% 20.5%
17.8%
20.0%
15.0%
10.0% 5.1% 4.9% 3.7%
5.0% 1.6% 0.8% 0.2%
0.0%
s s
i ce Ds ng ine s ol tte
s s rs
sp ,C thi agaz ok oh em the
nd VD
s
Cl
o Bo Alc gare af t It O
sa ,D rs/
m Ci Cr
od e os a pe
Fo Vid sp
N ew
61

62.  Except for Guyanese and Ecuadorian immigrants, all other
L.A. and Caribbean communities do not have financial
obligations in their countries of origin. When they do,
savings accounts and home mortgages are most common.
27.1% of Brazilians hold a savings account and 6.9% have
home mortgages:
Economic activities back home Brazil Guyana México El Salvador Cuba Dominican R. Nicaragua Colombia Ecuador Guatemala Honduras
Does not have 51.2% 35.2% 71.3% 75.7% 92.0% 62.7% 84.0% 62.0% 43.0% 76.1% 60.0%
Savings account in a bank 27.1% 48.3% 25.2% 19.5% 1.7% 29.3% 4.7% 22.0% 55.0% 19.3% 16.0%
Mortgage loan 6.9% 18.2% 4.3% 5.7% 2.3% 6.0% 6.0% 8.0% 14.0% 3.7% 12.0%
Family/commercial business 8.1% 2.1% 1.4% 1.7% 3.3% 2.7% 6.0% 1.0% 1.8% 4.0%
Life and health insurance 2.0% 4.7% 1.1% 2.7% 9.0% 8.0%
Lends money to family 0.4% 8.5% 0.7% 1.3% 4.0% 1.0% 0.9% 2.7%
Student loan 9.9% 1.3% 0.4% 0.5% 2.3% 0.7% 5.0%
Loan to maintain a business 2.3% 1.7% 0.4% 2.7% 0.7% 1.0% 2.7%
Rent payments 0.1% 0.4% 0.7%
Medical expenses 0.1% 0.7%
1st Activity 2nd Activity 3rd Activity
62

63.  One out of three Brazilians (37.6%) does not have financial
accounts in his/her country. 28.9% have checking accounts
while 26% have savings accounts. Only 5.5% have credit
cards:
Financial Accounts in Country of Origin
37.6%
40.0%
35.0%
28.9%
30.0% 26.0%
25.0%
20.0%
15.0%
10.0% 5.5%
5.0% 1.6%
0.3%
0.0%
Does not Checking Savings Credit card Investment Foreign
have / NR account account account currency
savings
63

64.  One out of three Brazilians help his/her family with more
than remittance support, second only to Guyanese
immigrants (46.6%). Below average for this kind of help
are Mexicans, Cubans, Salvadorians and Guatemalans:
Help Beyond Remittances
50.0% 46.6%
45.0%
40.0% 36.80%
35.0% ABOVE AVERAGE
30.0% 27.0%
25.0% 22.7% AVERAGE = 19.2%
20.0%
20.0%
15.3%
14.0% BELOW AVERAGE
15.0%
10.3% 9.1%
10.0% 5.7%
3.7%
5.0%
0.0%
a il r as bia a R. r
a la
an az do ur gu an ico ba
va
do
uy Br cu
a
nd lom ar a nic éx Cu l at em
G E Ho Co Ni
c mi M Sa Gu
Do El
64

65.  The most common help besides remittances for almost all
L.A. and Caribbean immigrant communities including
Brazilians (37.1%) is payment of real state loans. However,
while all other groups’ next two forms of help include
student loans, loans to family or life and health insurance,
for Brazilians these places are taken with investment-
related expenses (30.5%) and pension plan (15.2%):
Obligations beyond remittances Brazil Ecuador Guyana Dominican R. Honduras Nicaragua México Colombia El Salvador Guatemala Cuba
Payment of real estate loans 37.10% 24.00% 20.76% 12.67% 8.00% 7.33% 7.09% 6.00% 2.86% 0.92% 0.57%
Other investment-related expenses 30.50%
Help with pension plan 15.20%
Charitable donations 11.40%
Payment of student loan 5.70% 5.08% 0.67% 2.67% 2.67% 1.06% 5.00% 1.43% 2.29%
Loan to family for investments 18.64% 1.33% 5.33% 3.33% 1.42% 6.00% 2.75% 2.29%
Life and health insurance 1.00% 2.97% 0.67% 4.00% 2.00% 0.35% 5.00% 0.95% 4.57%
Loan for business 1.00% 5.08% 0.67% 6.67% 2.00% 0.71% 4.00% 0.48% 0.57%
Rent payments 0.35%
Tuition for siblings 1.00%
1st Obligation 2nd Obligation 3rd Obligation
65

66.  While L.A. and Caribbean immigrant support for
hometown associations average 6.7%, Brazilian support
for hometown associations is higher (12.4%) second only
to that of Guyanese immigrants (26.3%). Salvadorans and
Cubans display below average levels:
Support of Hometown Associations
30.0%
26.3%
25.0%
20.0%
15.0% ABOVE AVERAGE
12.4%
10.0%
10.0% AVERAGE = 6.7%
6.7%
5.0%
4.0% BELOW AVERAGE
5.0% 3.5% 3.3% 2.8% 2.4%
0.0%
0.0%
R. or
na az
il or
ur
as bi
a ua ic o an a la ad b a
ya Br ad m ag x c m Cu
Gu Ec
u nd lo ca
r
Me in
i te alv
Ho Co Ni m G ua lS
Do E
66

67.  Although voting in Brazil is an obligation and has been
extended to Brazilian immigrants, only one out of four
Brazilians (23.6%) vote in national elections:
Participation in National Elections
67

68.  The vast majority of Brazilians (87.6%) watch TV or listen
to radio programs broadcasted from or originated in
Brazil:
Watch TV or Listen to Radio Originated in Home Country
68

69.  Three out of four Brazilians (72%) send or receive e-mails
form people back home. This is a very high internet usage
rate when compared to other Latinos (56%), non-Hispanic
whites (71%) and non-Hispanic blacks (60%)*:
Send or Receive E-mails from People in Home Country
* The Pew Hispanic Center, Latinos Online Report, 2007.
69

70.  Almost every Brazilian with College degree (90.9%) sends
or receives e-mails from his/her country, while only half
(46.7%) of those who did not finished elementary school
are online: E-mail Usage by Education
100.00% 90.90%
ABOVE AVERAGE
90.00% 81.70%
AVERAGE = 71.8%
80.00% 70.00% 69.80%
70.00% BELOW AVERAGE
60.00%
46.70%
50.00%
40.00%
30.00%
20.00%
10.00%
0.00%
College Degree Some College High School Elementary Unfinished
School Elementary
* Brazilians with College degree have a slightly lower usage rate than that of non-Hispanic whites (91%) and non-Hispanic blacks (93%) but higher than that of other Latinos (89%). Those with less than Elementary
70 school have a much higher rate than all other groups – non-Hispanic whites (25%); non-Hispanic blacks (32%) and Latinos (31%). The Pew Hispanic Center, Latinos Online Report, 2007.

71.  Brazilians’ internet usage (72%) is above average and
second only to Jamaicans. Dominicans also have above
average usage with Mexicans and Guatemalans displaying
below average usage:
Internet Usage by Nationality
80.0% 76.5%
72.0%
ABOVE AVERAGE
70.0%
63.3%
60.0%
AVERAGE = 45%
50.0%
40.0% 36.0% BELOW AVERAGE
34.0%
31.0%
30.0% 24.2% 23.0%
20.0%
10.0%
0.0%
zil .
ai c
a R v ia gu
a do
r
xic
o ala
am Bra n ic
an Bo
li
ara lv a Me tem
J mi Nic Sa Gu
a
71 Do El