Paper short abstract:

This paper documents the evolution of income inequality in Brazil since 1990´s, and discusses the immediate determinants of the evolution of the Brazilian inequality. Moreover, this paper reviews the social policies implemented in Brazil during this period.

Paper long abstract:

The Brazilian per capita family income distribution changed dramatically particularly since 1990´s. This period witnessed both an increase in income as well as a reduction in inequality. This paper documents the evolution of income inequality in Brazil, and discusses the immediate determinants of the evolution of the Brazilian inequality by decomposing the changes in per capita family income distribution into its different components. Moreover, this paper reviews the social policies implemented in Brazil during this period that may be associated with the documented changes. This paper will also attempt to discuss how the various groups in the Brazilian society have benefited from the changes in income inequality and policies implemented.