Smallest City in São Paulo Takes First Place in Development in Brazil

Written by Alisson Ficher

Published on 14/11/2025 at 13:56

Updated on 14/11/2025 at 13:57

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Águas de São Pedro Leads National Index and Ranks Among Municipalities with the Best Results in Education, Health, and Income, Also Highlighted for Its Tourist Appeal and Projects that Activate the Circuit of Paulista Waters.

Águas de São Pedro, the smallest municipality in São Paulo by land area, achieved first place in the Firjan Municipal Development Index (IFDM) 2025, with a score of 0.8932, the highest among the municipalities evaluated in the country.

With 3.6 km² and approximately 2,800 inhabitants, according to IBGE data, the city is classified in the category of high development, which includes municipalities with indexes above 0.8.

The IFDM is developed by the Federation of Industries of the State of Rio de Janeiro and uses official indicators from the areas of employment and income, education, and health.

ARTICLE CONTINUES BELOW

IFDM Indicators and Municipal Performance

Experts following the survey state that small cities with concentrated urbanization tend to have greater operational ease in providing public services.

Águas de São Pedro Leads IFDM 2025 as the Most Developed City in Brazil and Boosts Tourism in the Circuit of Paulista Waters.

In the case of Águas de São Pedro, the municipality has no rural area and maintains concentrated infrastructure, which, according to technicians consulted by Firjan in previous editions, contributes to close monitoring of public policies.

The city hall reports that the municipality has remained in the top positions of the IFDM in recent years.

Public reports from Firjan also indicate consistent performance of Águas de São Pedro across the three pillars evaluated.

Education and School Dropout

According to the municipal administration, the city records zero school dropout.

This data is attributed to family support actions, full-time education programs, and active search efforts.

Education specialists state that small networks facilitate attendance monitoring, which may contribute to this result.

National surveys from previous years already showed good indicators of school retention, which, according to sector technicians, indicates the continuity of local educational policies.

Preventive Health and Environmental Actions

In health, the city hall reports that it focuses on structured primary care and preventive actions, in addition to having good vaccination coverage and integration with the regional care network.

The data used by Firjan reflect official indicators from the Ministry of Health.

In the environmental area, the city promotes waste management and selective collection programs.

The Municipal Secretary of the Environment informs that initiatives include campaigns and educational activities with school participation.

Tourism and Regional Appeal

Águas de São Pedro is classified as a hydromineral resort and is part of the Circuit of Paulista Waters.

The city is about two hours from the capital and considers tourism one of its main economic activities.

Among the attractions are the Municipal Spa, the Water Park, and the Águas Boulevard.

According to information from the city hall and the Government of São Paulo, these locations attract visitors interested in activities related to mineral waters.

Urban planners consulted in studies about resort cities assert that compact urban configurations can facilitate movements and access to services, although this varies according to each municipality’s policies.

Projects in the Circuit of Paulista Waters

Another city in the Circuit of Paulista Waters, Águas de Lindóia, announced the expansion project for Aquática American Park.

The project foresees 6,000 m² of covered area in an indoor water park with capacity for 4,500 visitors per day, according to information released by the park.

The project includes a resort with over 900 apartments and a convention center for about 2,500 people.

The State Department of Tourism states that developments of this size can increase the regional flow of visitors and strengthen the tourism sector.

The set of investments in the Circuit of Waters, combined with Águas de São Pedro’s performance in the IFDM, reinforces the region’s presence in discussions on public management, development, and tourism in the interior of São Paulo.

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Smallest City in São Paulo Takes First Place in Development in Brazil

Águas de São Pedro Leads National Index and Ranks Among Municipalities with the Best Results in Education, Health, and Income, Also Highlighted for Its Tourist Appeal and Projects that Activate the Circuit of Paulista Waters.

IFDM Indicators and Municipal Performance

Education and School Dropout

Preventive Health and Environmental Actions

Tourism and Regional Appeal

Projects in the Circuit of Paulista Waters

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Smallest City in São Paulo Takes First Place in Development in Brazil

Águas de São Pedro Leads National Index and Ranks Among Municipalities with the Best Results in Education, Health, and Income, Also Highlighted for Its Tourist Appeal and Projects that Activate the Circuit of Paulista Waters.

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