The Association Between Protestantism and Economic Development in Brazil

Luan Vinicius Bernardelli; Ednaldo Michellon; Michael A. Kortt; Michael B. Charles

doi:10.1007/s41603-025-00301-z

The Association Between Protestantism and Economic Development in Brazil

Luan Vinicius Bernardelli, Ednaldo Michellon, Michael A. Kortt Michael B. Charles

International journal of Latin American religions, Vol.9(2), pp.620-641

12/2025

: https://doi.org/10.1007/s41603-025-00301-z

Brazil

protestantism

economic development

religious affiliation

This study examines the association between Protestantism and economic development in Brazil. A random-effects regression model was used to examine the association between Protestantism and economic development (measured by the human development index or HDI) using data drawn from the 1991, 2000, and 2010 Brazilian Censuses. Our results indicate that there is a positive association between Protestantism and the HDI in Brazil while controlling for an extensive array of factors. This association is particularly strong among the more impoverished Pentecostal Protestants, as they can gain access to religious networks that offer valuable non-religious services specifically related to employment, health, and education.

: The Association Between Protestantism and Economic Development in Brazil
: Luan Vinicius Bernardelli - Federal University of Goiás (Brazil)
Ednaldo Michellon - Universidade Estadual de Maringá
Michael A. Kortt - Khalifa University of Science and Technology
Michael B. Charles - Southern Cross University
: International journal of Latin American religions, Vol.9(2), pp.620-641
: Springer Nature
: 22
: This study was financed, in part, by the Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior — Brasil (CAPES) — Finance Code (88881.186958/2018–01).
: 991013372616402368
: Management; Faculty of Business, Law and Arts
: English
: Journal article