Number of black or indigenous people in Executive rises to 39%
Four out of every ten leadership positions in the Brazilian Executive branch are held by black or indigenous people. Despite representing the majority of the Brazilian population, they make up 39 percent of the leaders in ministries, local government departments, and foundations. This percentage increased by 17 percentage points over the last 25 years.
White men, however, still occupy the largest share of leadership positions, 35 percent.
The data can be found in an unprecedented study entitled Lideranças Negras no Estado Brasileiro (1995–2024)—“Black Leadership in the Brazilian State (1995–2024)”—released Friday (Mar. 28). It builds the profile of those occupying the country’s top positions. The survey looks at the last 25 years, covering seven presidential administrations. It also includes in-depth interviews with 20 of these leaders.
According to the findings, in 1999, during Fernando Henrique Cardoso’s administration, black or indigenous men held 13 percent of the leadership positions in the Executive branch. Black or indigenous women occupied nine percent of these positions. Together, these men and women filled 22 percent of the posts.
At the same time, white men held 37 percent of leading roles, and white women 29 percent.
In 2024, under President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva’s third administration, the landscape shifted. Black or indigenous men now occupy 24 percent of positions, and black or indigenous women 15 percent. White women hold 26 percent of leadership positions, and white men continue to hold the highest percentage—35 percent.
“The quantitative section of the survey shows a sharp reduction in the presence of white men. But this presence was and still is a majority across the board, in all spheres of the state,” says Fluminense Federal University Professor Flavia Rios, research coordinator and sociologist.
Despite their majority in top positions, white men add up to 20.58 percent of the population, as per official figures.
“In this specific look at the Federal Executive, we have observed a significant change that took place in recent years. And it’s more noticeable the further down the authority ladder you go. If we’re talking about a lower position, we’re talking about a greater increase in the presence of women and black people. If we’re talking about a minister or a secretary at that ministry, you’re more likely to find white people, especially white men,” she pointed out.
Measures
The study lists milestones in affirmative action in Brazil’s public service that have led to changes in the profile of leaders in the country’s Executive branch. These include the 2014 law that sets aside 20 percent of the seats offered to black people in public tenders to fill permanent positions and public jobs in the federal public administration, government agencies, public foundations, state-run companies, and mixed-capital companies controlled by the government.
There is also the decree that stipulates that a minimum percentage of commissioned positions and positions of trust within the federal public administration must be filled by black people.
“The increase in the presence of black people in leading positions in the Executive branch in recent years represents a major but still insufficient stride. The data show there is significant work to be done to ensure racial and gender equity in Brazil. Investing in policies that increase the presence of black, pardo, and indigenous leaders in public service, as well as promoting their permanence in these positions, is necessary and urgent for democracy. This initiative will have a positive impact on the country,” said Alessandra Benedito, vice-president of Racial Equity at the Lemann Foundation, one of the institutions supporting the research.
