Brazilian Real
Real
Currency Code
BRL
ISO 986
Symbol
BRL
Native: R$
Decimal Digits
2
Rounding: 0
Countries
BR
Using this currency
Currency Units
Major Unit
Name: real
Symbol: R$
Minor Unit
Name: centavo
Symbol:
Value: 0.01
Banknotes
Frequently Used
R$2R$5R$10R$20R$50R$100R$200
Coins
Frequently Used
5 centavos10 centavos25 centavos50 centavosR$1
Rarely Used
1 centavo
Plural Forms
English Plural
Brazilian reals
Native Plural
Reais
Overview
The Brazilian Real is the currency of Brazil, managed by the Central Bank of Brazil. It was introduced in 1994 as part of the Plano Real to combat hyperinflation and has become one of the most traded emerging market currencies.
Economy
- Brazil is a member of Mercosur, G20, BRICS, OAS, UNASUR, CELAC.
- Main industries include: Textiles, Shoes, Chemicals, Cement, Lumber, Iron ore, Tin, Steel, Aircraft, Motor vehicles.
- Brazil is part of the World Trade Organization.
- Imports are machinery, electrical equipment, chemical products, oil, automotive parts, electronics.
- Major exports include transport equipment, iron ore, soybeans, footwear, coffee, automobiles.
- GDP: $2.13 trillion (2023 est.).
- GDP per capita: $9,941 (2023 est.).
- Unemployment rate: 7.8% (2023 est.).
- Inflation rate: 4.6% (2023 est.).
- Main trading partners: China, United States, Argentina, Germany, Netherlands, Japan.
- Trade agreements: Mercosur agreements, Various bilateral agreements.
History
- Previous currencies used: Cruzeiro real, Cruzeiro, Cruzado, Brazilian real (1690-1942), Réis.
- The real was introduced on July 1, 1994, as part of the Plano Real economic stabilization plan, replacing the cruzeiro real. It successfully ended decades of hyperinflation.
- 1994: BRL introduced, replacing cruzeiro real
- 1999: Real devaluation and adoption of floating rate
- 2002: Political uncertainty and currency crisis
- 2008: Global financial crisis impact
- 2016: Economic recession and political instability
- 2020: COVID-19 pandemic economic impact
- Exchange rate peg: USD (1994-1999) crawling peg.
- Exchange rate peg: Free floating (1999-present).
General Information
- ISO 4217 Code: BRL
- Symbols: BRL/R$
- Currency Subunits: 100 centavos
- Central Bank: Central Bank of Brazil
- Monetary Policy: Inflation targeting with 3% target and tolerance band. Free-floating exchange rate with occasional interventions.
- Bills: 2 reais, 5 reais, 10 reais, 20 reais, 50 reais, 100 reais, 200 reais
- Coins: 1 centavo, 5 centavos, 10 centavos, 25 centavos, 50 centavos, 1 real
- USD Exchange Rate: Variable (approximately 5.0-5.5 BRL per USD)
- Pegged To: None (Floating)
- Capital: Brasília
- Population: 217,240,060 (2023 est.)
- Area: 8,515,767 km²
- Languages: Portuguese (official), Spanish, English, French
- Time Zones: UTC-5 to UTC-2 (4 time zones)
- Government Type: Federal presidential republic
- Head of Government: President (head of state and government)
- Independence: September 7, 1822 (from Portugal)
- Ethnic Groups: White 47.7%, Mixed 43.1%, Black 7.6%, Asian 1.1%, Indigenous 0.4%
- Religions: Roman Catholic 64.6%, Protestant 22.2%, Other Christian 0.7%, Spiritist 2.2%, Other 1.4%, None 8%, Unspecified 0.9%
- Literacy Rate: 93.2% (2018 est.)
- Transport: Extensive road networks, major airports (São Paulo, Rio de Janeiro), Atlantic ports, limited passenger rail
- Communications: Good telecommunications, 81% internet penetration, widespread mobile and broadband coverage
- Energy: Hydroelectric 65%, Natural gas 9%, Biomass 8%, Wind 8%, Oil 4%, Coal 3%, Solar 1%, Nuclear 1%, Other 1%
- Countries Using This Currency: Brazil
- Data Sources: Central Bank: Central Bank of Brazil (bcb.gov.br), Economic Data: Brazilian Institute of Geography and Statistics, World Bank, IMF, Trade Data: Ministry of Development, Industry and Foreign Trade, Demographic Data: Brazilian Institute of Geography and Statistics, Geographic Data: National Institute for Space Research, Historical Data: Central Bank of Brazil archives
- Last Updated: 2025