Approximately 41.2% of Brazilians aged 16 and older said they live with the presence of organized criminal groups in their neighborhoods [1].
This data underscores a systemic security crisis where criminal factions and militias have integrated into the social fabric of urban areas. The widespread nature of this coexistence suggests that organized crime is no longer confined to isolated pockets but is a pervasive reality for millions of citizens.
The survey, conducted by the Brazilian Public Security Forum, indicates that the impact is most severe in state capitals, where the rate reaches 55.9% [1]. In contrast, the index is lower in metropolitan regions and interior cities, standing at 34.1% [1].
In total, an estimated 68.7 million people are directly affected by this presence [1]. The expansion of these groups into urban and peripheral areas has created a daily environment of coexistence with organized crime [2].
This presence translates into a tangible psychological and behavioral toll on the population. According to the report, 57% of respondents said that the fear of violence alters their daily routines [3].
The report highlights a growing trend of factions and militias expanding their territorial control. This expansion allows these groups to exert influence over local services and governance in marginalized communities, further complicating state efforts to restore law and order.
“41.2% of Brazilians aged 16 and older said they live with the presence of organized criminal groups in their neighborhoods.”
The data indicates that organized crime in Brazil has evolved from a clandestine activity into a parallel power structure. With over half of the population in capital cities reporting the presence of gangs or militias, the state faces a challenge that exceeds traditional policing. This level of penetration suggests that criminal groups are filling governance gaps in urban peripheries, making the restoration of state authority a complex socio-political struggle rather than a simple security operation.
