The homicide rate in Brazil is 30/100,000 inhabitants. In the EU, by comparison, it is 1/100,000 inhabitants and in Iceland 0.3, i.e. 30 and 100 times less respectively. Yet, reading this overall rate obscures an even more appalling reality of violence in Brazil. A previous analysis by Tiradentes had shown « racial » inequalities in terms of violent death. Another factor that determines exposure to lethal violence is age. The 15-24 age group is the most exposed. By 2015, they accounted for more than half of the violent deaths. Between 2005 and 2015, 318,000 young people, the equivalent of a city like Montpellier, will die early. In some Brazilian states, homicide rates are similar to those of a civil war.

Figure.1 homicide rate in the age 15-24 age group by brasilian state

Source : Atlas da Violencia 2017                          Tiradentes-géographie, 2019

In the State of Alagoas, the homicide rate among young people is 118.9 per 100,000 inhabitants, almost 4 times the average Brazilian rate. 4 Northeastern states have rates above 100 violent deaths. Only two states (Sao Paulo and Santa Catarina) have rates lower than the average rate in Brazil. To date, the Brazilian State has not found a solution to the « sacrifice » of its living forces.