# Facing the demographic decline in Brazil (_An earlier Portuguese [version](https://exame.com/colunistas/instituto-millenium/encarando-o-declinio-demografico-a-urgencia-de-melhores-politicas-migratorias-no-brasil/) of this text appeared on June 30, 2023, in Instituto Millenium’s column for Exame magazine_) How can one understand the recent data from the Brazilian demographic census? One thing is certain: there is a disturbing trend towards population decline. In the coming decades, Brazil may face a sharp demographic reduction. This possibility becomes even more alarming when significant metropolises are already dealing with depopulation today. But what could be the reasons for this trend in Brazil? Before diving into this debate, it is prudent to recognize that a full understanding of the causes will require further study. However, it is undeniable that one of the keys to understanding the phenomenon is the growing emigration. According to [data from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Itamaraty)](https://www.gov.br/mre/pt-br/assuntos/portal-consular/artigos-variados/comunidade-brasileira-no-exterior-2013-estatisticas-2020), in 2020 the population of Brazilians residing abroad reached 4.2 million. This represents a 16% growth compared to 2018 statistics and a 36% increase in the last decade. As Brazil modernizes and develops, the number of Brazilians seeking opportunities beyond its borders increases. This is a phenomenon that may seem counterintuitive. Is the increase in emigration a sign of backwardness or an indicator of development? Emigration is not just a response to poverty or economic decline. Although it may seem contradictory, the growth of emigration can also be interpreted as an indicator of development. The advancement of education and the increase in per capita income, coupled with greater access to technology and information, are phenomena that inspire and allow more people to seek opportunities beyond our borders. As more people acquire the [capabilities and aspirations to migrate](https://comparativemigrationstudies.springeropen.com/articles/10.1186/s40878-020-00210-4), Brazil ends up losing a significant part of its workforce abroad. In addition to losing skills (since the emigrant population is generally more qualified and entrepreneurial), Brazil also loses aspirations. Emigrants are often individuals with optimistic views of the future, willing to make sacrifices to achieve their goals. Their departure can result in a decrease in optimism and the drive for transformation among the Brazilians who stay here. How then to deal with this challenge? Considering the magnitude of the problem, the State's action will be fundamental. We need more and better public policies. Part of the solution lies with the Brazilian diaspora spread around the world. From farmers in Paraguay to Dekasegi communities in Japan, including the numerous communities in the United States and Europe, many of these emigrants have accumulated wealth, established connections, and acquired knowledge, skills, and attitudes in societies and markets more dynamic than ours. The experience and skills of these Brazilians are a key resource for the development of Brazil. Therefore, it is crucial to keep these people connected to Brazil. And, yes, encouraging them to return should be a priority, but not the only one. We must facilitate their coming to the country to open businesses or for tourism, encourage them to establish commercial connections with Brazilian companies, and consume our products and services in their countries of residence. These actions require a comprehensive policy that includes, among other things, facilitating the obtaining of nationality and promoting Brazilian cultural products abroad. In parallel, we must establish a robust immigration policy. We need to attract people willing to make Brazilian territory their home and contribute to making our society more prosperous. Migrating to Brazil should be an easy and attractive option, not only for professionals with specific skills that can make various sectors of the economy more competitive, but also for all those willing to put their skills and workforce at the service of our economy and our communities. We cannot compete directly with countries like Canada and Australia, which have an excellent quality of life and resources to attract the best professionals. Therefore, we have to explore incentives of another nature. We need to show the world that Brazil in 20 years will be more prosperous than the present and that people can play an active role in this evolution. In this sense, it is essential to encourage and simplify free enterprise to make the business environment safer. In addition, we must open our market to the world. The Mais Médicos program showed that we can use the human capital of other countries to solve our most urgent problems. Programs of this type should be improved and multiplied, without directly financing authoritarian governments that prohibit emigration. A promising initiative would be to simplify the validation of foreign diplomas. With this objective in mind, several measures can be implemented, such as simplifying the process of obtaining residence visas (an action that goes against recent decisions of the federal government), encouraging the acquisition of real estate and assets by non-resident foreigners, making the process of issuing documents for foreigners easier, as well as expanding the offer of public services in other languages, or on platforms with a translation option. In addition, Brazilian families should be encouraged to welcome and support newcomers, integrating them into their social networks and promoting their inclusion in social groups, such as clubs and churches. Confronting the demographic challenge with migration policy therefore implies two missions: attracting immigrants and connecting with the diaspora. Still, these actions cannot replace the need to encourage the birth rate, promoting an environment where Brazilian families feel safe and confident to have more children. Actions such as the creation of a robust care policy, expansion of maternity and paternity leave, and valuing the domestic work performed by men and women who dedicate themselves fully to raising their children are essential to strengthen Brazilian families. After all, to deal with the challenges of aging and population decline, a diversified strategy is needed. Discussions about demographic transformation must take on a greater role in public debate and the political agenda. It is quite plausible that an effective migration policy, combined with the strengthening of families, is the key to ensuring the sustainability of Brazilian society in the long term.