1. Official Racial Groups in Brazil
Brazil officially recognizes five self-identified racial categories:
- Pardo (Mixed-race) – 45.3%
- People of mixed ancestry
- Includes:
- Mulatos (European + African)
- Caboclos (European + Indigenous)
- Cafuzos (African + Indigenous)
- White (Branco) – 43.5%
- Primarily of European descent
- Black (Preto) – 10.2%
- Primarily of Sub-Saharan African descent
- Indigenous (Indígena) – 0.6%
- Native peoples of Brazil (over 300 tribes)
- East Asian (Amarela) – 0.4%
- Mainly Japanese, Chinese, and Korean descendants
2. Major Ethnic Ancestry Groups in Brazil
Brazil is ethnically diverse due to centuries of migration and mixing.
European Ancestry
- Portuguese (largest group)
- Italian
- Spanish
- German
- Polish
- Ukrainian
- Russian
- English
- Jewish (Ashkenazi & Sephardic)
- Armenian
African Ancestry
- West African (Yoruba, Fon, Akan)
- Central African (Bantu peoples)
- Afro-Brazilians (descendants of enslaved Africans)
Indigenous Peoples
Brazil has 305+ Indigenous ethnic groups, including:
- Tupi
- Guarani
- Yanomami
- Kayapó
- Tikuna
- Xavante
- Terena
Brazil also has the largest number of uncontacted tribes in the world (60+ estimated).
Middle Eastern & Arab Ancestry
- Lebanese (7–10 million)
- Syrian
- Palestinian
- Other Arab groups
➡️ Brazil has the largest Arab-descendant population outside the Arab world
Asian Ancestry
- Japanese (largest Japanese diaspora worldwide)
- Chinese
- Korean
3. Genetic Ancestry (Average Estimates)
Despite racial self-identification, genetic studies show:
- European ancestry: ~60–65%
- African ancestry: ~20–25%
- Indigenous ancestry: ~15–20%
➡️ Most Brazilians have mixed genetic ancestry, regardless of racial category.
4. Regional Ethnic Patterns
- North & Center-West: Strong Indigenous ancestry
- Northeast: Higher African and Afro-mixed populations
- Southeast & South: Higher European ancestry
- Urban centers: High ethnic diversity and mixing
Summary Table
| Category | Examples |
|---|---|
| Census Races | Pardo, White, Black, Indigenous, East Asian |
| European Groups | Portuguese, Italian, German, Spanish |
| African Groups | Yoruba, Bantu descendants |
| Indigenous Groups | Yanomami, Guarani, Kayapó |
| Arab Groups | Lebanese, Syrian |
| Asian Groups | Japanese, Chinese, Korean |









