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These Are the 10 Most Developed Cities in Brazil

Written by Alisson Ficher
Published on 08/05/2025 at 23:06
Updated on 08/05/2025 at 23:18
Descubra as cidades mais desenvolvidas do Brasil em 2023! Saúde, educação e emprego como pilares do crescimento. Confira o ranking completo!
Descubra as cidades mais desenvolvidas do Brasil em 2023! Saúde, educação e emprego como pilares do crescimento. Confira o ranking completo!
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Firjan Municipal Development Index Reveals The Cities That Stand Out The 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 various 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 brings the ten most developed cities in Brazil in 2023, according to the IFDM, stands out due to the significant presence of municipalities from the interior of São Paulo and Paraná, which have excelled in implementing public policies that favor health, education, and job and income generation.

These are the pillars that, according to the research, support the growth of the most advanced cities in the country.

The research, conducted 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 results provided interesting information about the progress of Brazilian localities.

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 stand out at the top of 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 account for this ranking.

The Main Indicators That Define The IFDM

The methodology used by the Firjan System is extensive and considers a series of factors that directly impact the quality of life of the population.

The three main pillars are health, education, and job and income generation, and each of them is measured by specific indicators that 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 various factors, such as hospitalizations for conditions sensitive to basic education, the number of doctors available for the population, and the vaccination coverage rate.

These indicators, among others, are crucial for understanding how public health is organized in the most developed cities.

The city of Águas de São Pedro, for example, shows excellent performance in this regard, with low rates of avoidable hospitalizations and good medical care per inhabitant.

Moreover, the municipality stands out for its high vaccination rate and favorable conditions for prenatal care, which contribute to the well-being of mothers and children.

Education: How Does Education Impact The Future?

Education is another decisive factor in the ranking.

The enrollment rate in daycares, the adequacy of teacher training, and the age-grade distortion in elementary and high school are some of the evaluated factors.

Additionally, performance in the Ideb (Basic Education Development Index) is crucial, especially in the initial and final stages of elementary education.

Cities like São Caetano do Sul and Curitiba stand out in this regard due to significant investment in full-time education, aimed at extending students’ time in school and reducing school dropout rates.

These cities have a strong presence of full-time schools and programs that encourage the continuity of basic education through high school, promoting a brighter future for children and teenagers.

Employment And Income: How To Generate Job Opportunities?

The economic development of a city is essential for measuring 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 job and income generation.

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 below the complete ranking of the most developed cities in Brazil, based on the Firjan Municipal Development Index (IFDM), which ranges from 0 to 1:

  1. Águas de São Pedro (SP) – 0.8932
  2. São Caetano do Sul (SP) – 0.8882
  3. Curitiba (PR) – 0.8855
  4. Maringá (PR) – 0.8814
  5. Americana (SP) – 0.8813
  6. Toledo (PR) – 0.8763
  7. Marechal Cândido Rondon (PR) – 0.8751
  8. São José do Rio Preto (SP) – 0.8750
  9. Francisco Beltrão (PR) – 0.8742
  10. 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 residents.

The Importance Of The IFDM For Citizens

The Firjan Municipal Development Index (IFDM) is an important tool not only for public managers but also for citizens.

It provides a clear view of the advances and challenges each city faces.

In addition, 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 regarding access to quality public services and job opportunities.

Challenges To Be Overcome

Despite many of these cities topping the ranking, there are still challenges to be faced.

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 technology and adaptation to the new labor market are also points that require attention.

And 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!

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Alisson Ficher

Jornalista formado desde 2017 e atuante na área desde 2015, com seis anos de experiência em revista impressa, passagens por canais de TV aberta e mais de 12 mil publicações online. Especialista em política, empregos, economia, cursos, entre outros temas e também editor do portal CPG. Registro profissional: 0087134/SP. Se você tiver alguma dúvida, quiser reportar um erro ou sugerir uma pauta sobre os temas tratados no site, entre em contato pelo e-mail: alisson.hficher@outlook.com. Não aceitamos currículos!

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