Rio de Janeiro – The Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of Brazil dropped 3.6% in the fourth quarter of 2008 when compared to the previous year, the largest reduction recorded since the series started being recorded, in 1996. With regard to the previous year, however, there was 1.3% growth. Year to date, the GDP grew 5.1% over 2007 and reached 2.9 trillion reals (US$ 1.2 trillion).
The per capita GDP in 2008 grew 4% over the previous year, reaching 15,240 reals (US$ 6,400). The information was supplied by the Brazilian Institute for Geography and Statistics (IBGE), which disclosed the complete figures today (10). Investment in 2008 grew 19%, the highest in the series, which started being recorded in 2000.
*Translated by Mark Ament
