Brazil has the highest number of lawyers per capita in the world, a phenomenon that has sparked interest and curiosity. Currently, the proportion is one lawyer for every 164 Brazilians, while in the United States, for example, it is one lawyer for every 253 inhabitants.
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A study by the Brazilian Bar Association (OAB) based on data from the International Bar Association (IBA) found that in absolute terms, Brazil ranks second to India with more than 2 million lawyers. . However, considering the population, India has a lower proportion with one lawyer per 700 people.
When comparing Brazil to other countries, the large number of lawyers in the country is striking. In neighboring Argentina, for example, there is one lawyer for every 365 inhabitants, while in Portugal there is one lawyer for every 625 inhabitants. The ratio is even lower in the UK, where there is one lawyer for every 471 people.
The scenario of the lawyers in Brazil
The explanation for this high number of lawyers in Brazil is based on several factors. First, the country’s historical tradition of studying law, which has always had an important societal appeal alongside medicine and engineering. Moreover, the appreciation of legal knowledge increased after the passage of the 1988 Constitution, which emphasized the need for sound arguments and the making of theses in a democratic constitutional state.
Reasons for the popularity of law school in the country
The quest for stability amid political and economic uncertainties has also led many Brazilians to seek public tenders, particularly in the legal field, which offer better remuneration. Heavy media coverage of the judiciary, particularly in the wake of Operation Lava Jato, fueled even more interest in the legal profession.
The exponential growth in the number of law degree programs in the country is another factor contributing to the increase in the number of lawyers. Since 1995, Brazil has gone from 235 courses to 1,896 in 2023, a 706% increase. In the last five years, 697 degree programs have been created, making Brazil the country with the largest number of law degree programs in the world.
However, it is important to emphasize that the quantity does not necessarily reflect the quality of the courses. According to the OAB, in 2022 only 11% of the courses evaluated were classified as being of good quality. Discussion about opening up distance learning law courses is also controversial, with the OAB defending improving the quality of facetoface courses before more vacancies are offered.
The possible expansion of distance learning courses in law
The Ministry of Education is responsible for the approval and evaluation of courses, but there is criticism of the current evaluation system, which is often considered outdated. However, the provision of distance law courses is under discussion and working groups have sought grants to regulate this modality.