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Firjan Municipal Development Index reveals the cities that stand out most in Brazil in 2023, pointing to a path of growth through health, education and job creation.
The development of a city can be measured in several ways, but one of the most effective indicators for assessing the quality of life of the population is the Firjan Municipal Development Index (IFDM).
Recently released, the ranking that features the ten most developed cities in Brazil in 2023, according to the IFDM, draws attention to the strong presence of municipalities in the interior of São Paulo and Paraná, which have been standing out in the implementation of public policies that favor health, education and the generation of employment and income.
These are the pillars that, according to the research, support the growth of the country's most advanced cities.
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The research, carried out by the Firjan System, analyzed 5.550 Brazilian cities, covering the period from 2013 to 2023.
Based on the three indicators — health, education and employment and income — the cities were classified, and the result brought interesting information about the progress of Brazilian locations.
The index ranges from 0 to 1, with values closer to 1 indicating a high level of development, while values close to 0 reflect critical development.
Among the municipalities that top the list, the city of Águas de São Pedro, in the state of São Paulo, stands out with the highest index: 0,8932.
Alongside it, São Caetano do Sul, also in São Paulo, and Curitiba, in Paraná, complete the podium with 0,8882 and 0,8855, respectively.
But what do these cities have in common that puts them in such privileged positions?
Next, we will analyze the main indicators that were taken into consideration for this ranking.
The main indicators that define the IFDM
The methodology used by the Firjan System is broad and considers a series of factors that directly impact the population's quality of life.
The three main pillars are health, education and the generation of employment and income, and each of them is measured by specific indicators, which reveal the real conditions of a city.
Health: what determines quality of life?
Health is one of the most relevant pillars for measuring the development of a municipality.
The research takes into account several factors, such as hospitalizations for conditions sensitive to basic education, number of doctors available to the population and vaccination coverage rate.
These indicators, among others, are crucial to understanding how public health is organized in the most developed cities.
The town of Águas de São Pedro, for example, has an excellent performance in this regard, with low rates of avoidable hospitalizations and good medical care per inhabitant.
Furthermore, the municipality stands out for its high vaccination rate and favorable conditions for prenatal care, which contributes to the well-being of mothers and children.
Education: how does training impact the future?
Education is another decisive factor in the ranking.
A daycare enrollment rate, adequacy of teacher training and age-grade distortion in elementary and secondary education are some of the factors evaluated.
Furthermore, performance in the Ideb (Basic Education Development Index) is crucial, especially in the initial and final stages of elementary education.
Cities like Sao Caetano do Sul e Curitiba stand out in this regard, due to the large investment in comprehensive education, which aims to increase the time students spend in school and reduce school dropout rates.
These cities have a strong presence of full-time schools and programs that encourage the continuation of basic education through high school, promoting a more promising future for children and adolescents.
Employment and income: how to generate job opportunities?
The economic development of a city is essential to measure its capacity to generate jobs and improve the quality of life of the population.
The absorption of formal labor, GDP per capita and economic diversity are elements that make up this indicator.
In cities like Maringá and Americana, the economy is characterized by the presence of well-established industries and the diversification of productive sectors.
These factors, combined with good policies to support private initiatives, result in greater generation of jobs and income.
Furthermore, the share of wages in GDP and the proportion of formal workers are indicators that demonstrate the sustainability of local economies.
The ranking of the 10 most developed cities in Brazil
Check out the complete ranking of the most developed cities in Brazil below, based on the Firjan Municipal Development Index (IFDM), which ranges from 0 to 1:
- Waters of Saint Peter (SP) - 0,8932
- Sao Caetano do Sul (SP) - 0,8882
- Curitiba (PR) - 0,8855
- Maringá (PR) - 0,8814
- American (SP) - 0,8813
- Toledo (PR) - 0,8763
- Marshal Candido Rondon (PR) - 0,8751
- Sao Jose do Rio Preto (SP) - 0,8750
- Francisco Beltrao (PR) - 0,8742
- Indaiatuba (SP) - 0,8723
These cities stand out for their commitment to quality of life and their constant efforts to improve health, education and employment conditions for their inhabitants.
The importance of IFDM for citizens
The Firjan Municipal Development Index (IFDM) is an important tool not only for public managers, but also for citizens.
It offers a clear overview of the advances and challenges each city faces.
Furthermore, the index can help guide public policies and prioritize investments in essential areas such as health, education and employment.
For residents of these cities, a high IFDM is synonymous with a more peaceful life and better future prospects, especially in relation to access to quality public services and job opportunities.
Challenges to be overcome
Although many of these cities are at the top of the ranking, there are still challenges to be faced.
O development is not homogeneous, and even the most advanced cities need to continue investing in areas such as mental health, infrastructure and urban mobility.
Innovation in the use of technologies and adaptation to the new job market are also points that require attention.
And you, what do you think about the development of Brazilian cities? Do you believe that the IFDM ranking reflects the true quality of life in Brazilian cities? Comment your opinion below!
