Determinants of Homicides in Brazil:

- Socioeconomic Inequality
o Socioeconomic inequality is a significant determinant of homicides in Brazil. High levels of income inequality
create social tensions, exacerbate poverty, and limit access to education and employment opportunities, all
of which can contribute to crime and violence. Data from the Brazilian Institute of Geography and Statistics
(IBGE) shows the stark income disparities across different regions of Brazil, with the wealthiest regions often
experiencing lower homicide rates compared to poorer areas.
- Urbanization
o Rapid urbanization in Brazil has led to the growth of informal settlements (favelas) and overcrowded urban
areas with inadequate infrastructure and limited access to public services. These conditions create fertile
ground for criminal activity and violence. Data from the Brazilian Ministry of Cities and other sources can be
used to analyze urbanization trends and their correlation with homicide rates in different cities and regions.
- Drug Trafficking
o Brazil's role as a major transit and consumer market for illicit drugs, particularly cocaine, contributes
significantly to violence. Drug trafficking organizations engage in turf wars, armed conflicts, and violence
against rival groups and law enforcement, leading to high homicide rates in areas with active drug trade.
Data from the Brazilian Federal Police and other law enforcement agencies can shed light on drug trafficking
patterns and their impact on homicides.
- Weak Law Enforcement
o Inadequate policing, corruption, and impunity undermine efforts to prevent and investigate homicides in
Brazil. Weak law enforcement institutions struggle to maintain public security and combat organized crime
effectively. Data on police effectiveness, clearance rates for homicide cases, and levels of corruption within
law enforcement agencies can provide insights into the challenges facing Brazil's criminal justice system.

Possible Confounders motivating Homicides:

- Cultural factors
- Access to Firearms
- Social Fragmentation
- Gender Inequality
- Youth Marginalization
- Historical Legacies

Economic determinants
- Quality of Education
- Low Education
- High Income Inequality
- Poverty and Economic Marginalization
- High Unemployment
- Large Informal Economy