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Services
In terms of percentage of labor force employed and percentage of GDP, ser-
vices make up the largest sector of Brazil’s economy. A majority (68 percent)
of the labor force works in the service sector, which accounts for over 65
percent of the country’s GDP. Among the service sector’s important fields are
banking, transportation, health care, education, and communications.
With its beaches, wildlife, and cities such as Rio de Janeiro, Brazil is a
popular destination for tourists. Many of Brazil’s service-sector jobs support
tourism.
One category of service-sector employment deserves particular
mention, and not necessarily in a positive light: government. Brazil has long
been known for its bloated bureaucracy (unelected government officials),
and citizens frequently complain about the amount of paperwork, time, and
inconvenience involved in even routine official dealings such as obtaining a
driver’s license, birth certificate, or business license. (Bribing the responsible
government workers, Brazilians know, can make things much easier.) In
recent years, there have been numerous public protests against government
corruption, and it remains a major issue in Brazil.
The Economy: Powerhouse Potential
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