São Paulo – The grandchildren of original migrants make up the bulk of the Arab community in Brazil. The information is from a survey of Arab presence in Brazil conducted by Ibope Inteligência and H2R Pesquisas Avançadas under commissioning from the Arab Brazilian Chamber of Commerce (ABCC). The survey was unveiled online this Wednesday (22) to some 1,300 viewers in an online event that marked the ABCC’s 68th anniversary.
Ibope’s household sampling survey revealed that there are 11.6 million Arabs and Arab descendants in Brazil. For the second phase of the survey, H2R Pesquisas Avançadas went in-depth with 803 respondents. This showed that 10% of the community are original immigrants. Out of the descendants, 20% are second-generation – i.e., the children of Arabs –, 41% are third-gen, 19% are fourth generation, and 20% are fifth-generation Arabs. “The original immigrants came in the beginning of the past century,” said H2R director Alessandra Frisso (pictured above), who presented the numbers during the online event.
The survey shows that most Arabs and descendants in Brazil are male, married, with two children and higher income and education levels than the average Brazilian. “Nineteen percent of Brazilians are college educated. For Arabs, that rate is 29%,” said Frisso. Much of the community has business-related degrees. Whereas Brazilians as a whole are mostly services-oriented, Arabs and their descendants are predominantly involved in trade.
The survey shows that people in the Arab community are for the most part planners (70%), low-profile (57%), and reputation-conscious (38%). “Half of them are rather distrustful and not as inclined to cultural activity,” Frisso said.
Most are Arab on the paternal side. “One really beautiful finding of this survey is that they have mostly chosen Brazil for its characteristics, its warmth, and the fact that this is a peaceful country with work opportunities,” said Frisso. Another reason was family – and in some cases starting one.
Arab heritage
More than half the respondents observe Arab traditions in their day-to-day. “Cooking a typical dish is one of the most prevalent elements in their daily routines,” Frisso said. When it comes to connecting with their roots, 72% of respondents mentioned cooking, 25% cited religion, 23% brought up mastery of Arabic language, 16% mentioned being hospitable, and 12% gave other answers.
Most of the community would like for future generations to learn about their origins and to speak Arabic. “Language and awareness of background are the two main pillars for Arabs,” said Frisso. However, only one quarter of them feel involved with the Arab community in Brazil. The most engaged ones are older, in income ranges A and B, college educated, Muslims, in South and Southeast Brazil, those involved in trade, and original immigrants. The least engaged are younger, 4th or 5th generation, in the C, D and E income brackets, Catholics, and evangelicals.
Fifty-three percent of respondents are proud of their origins. These are mostly Muslims in the A and B income ranges and residing in the South and Southeast. A similar percentage, 54%, would like to visit an Arab country such as Egypt, Lebanon or the United Arab Emirates. That same percentage – 54% – find that the community lacks awareness of their original culture and traditions, and 48% feel discriminated against. “Almost half of them feel targeted by discrimination, in spite of the Brazilian hospitality,” says Frisso.
Contributions to Brazil
Both Brazilian citizens in general and people of Arab origin believe that Arab immigrants have contributed to the economic development of Brazil. This is mostly perceived in commerce, cuisine, culture, healthcare, and industry. Seventy percent of Brazilian respondents and 86% of Arab ones find it important for there to be Brazilian embassies and consulates in Arab countries.
Arabs in Brazil are aware of the community’s landmark institutions and initiatives. Awareness rates are 74% for the Syrian-Lebanese Hospital, 32% for the Syrian Sports Club, 27% for the Arab Brazilian Chamber of Commerce, and 14% for the Brazil-Arab News Agency (ANBA). The higher the income range, the higher the rates. “With less than 20 years in existence, the Brazil-Arab News Agency is beginning to achieve notoriety among Arab descendants and the Arab community,” Frisso said.
The event and the survey
The broader survey numbers were presented by Ibope Inteligência CEO Márcia Cavallari Nunes. H2R director Alessandra Frisso provided information on prominent Arabs and descendants towards the end of her speech. Testimonial footage from Arabs who have risen to the forefront of their professions was shown.
The online event also featured ABCC president Rubens Hannun, Policy Council chair Walid Yazigi, and secretary-general Tamer Mansour, plus the dean of the Council of Arab Ambassadors in Brazil and ambassador of Palestine, Ibrahim Alzeben. Footage of Arab League secretary-general Ahmed Aboul Gheit was also featured.
For more on the survey and the virtual event please check out:
Arabs, descendants are 6% of Brazil’s population: survey
Ten pct of Brazil’s business leaders are Arab or descendants
Pride in Arab roots ties together generations
Arab Brazilian Chamber announces creation of Arab House
You can watch the full webinar here:
Translated by Gabriel Pomerancblum
