Smallest Cities in Brazil: Tranquility, Limited Services, and Communities with Fewer than One Thousand Inhabitants

Written by Fabio Lucas Carvalho

Published on 03/10/2025 at 16:51

Updated on 03/10/2025 at 20:47

Censo 2022 aponta os 10 menores municípios do Brasil, todos com menos de mil habitantes, marcados por simplicidade, tranquilidade e poucos serviços.

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IBGE List Reveals 10 Brazilian Municipalities With Lowest Population, Highlighting Cities That Maintain Peaceful Routines and Live With Limited Services.

Brazil has municipalities of very different sizes, and the 2022 Census showed which are the ten with the lowest population in the country. At the top of the list is Serra da Saudade, in Minas Gerais, known as the smallest Brazilian city in terms of population. With just 833 residents, the municipality recorded a 2.2% increase compared to 2010. Interestingly, some Brazilian farms have more residents than the entire city.

Life in Serra da Saudade

Serra da Saudade, located in the heart of Minas, lacks common services found in other cities, such as pharmacies, gas stations, high schools, or colleges. Nevertheless, its residents claim to live well and consider the municipality “the best city in the world” to live in. Tranquility is one of the main attractions, as the last recorded homicide occurred over 50 years ago.

Economy and Basic Services

The local economy revolves around the public sector, with most workers employed by the city hall and the municipal chamber. Agriculture and livestock also support families in the region. Despite its small size, the city offers essential services, such as a well-equipped basic health unit and two municipal schools that serve up to elementary education. High school students are transported to neighboring municipalities.

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Ranking of the Smallest Municipalities

In addition to Serra da Saudade, the ranking includes: Borá (SP), with 907 residents; Anhanguera (GO), 924; Araguainha (MT), 1,010; Nova Castilho (SP), 1,062; Cedro do Abaeté (MG), 1,081; André da Rocha (RS), 1,135; Oliveira de Fátima (TO), 1,164; União da Serra (RS), 1,170; and São Sebastião do Rio Preto (MG), 1,259 residents.

These municipalities demonstrate that even with small populations, it is possible to maintain basic services and offer quality of life to their residents.

Smallest Cities in Brazil: Tranquility, Limited Services, and Communities with Fewer than One Thousand Inhabitants

IBGE List Reveals 10 Brazilian Municipalities With Lowest Population, Highlighting Cities That Maintain Peaceful Routines and Live With Limited Services.

Life in Serra da Saudade

Economy and Basic Services

Ranking of the Smallest Municipalities

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Smallest Cities in Brazil: Tranquility, Limited Services, and Communities with Fewer than One Thousand Inhabitants

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Life in Serra da Saudade

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Ranking of the Smallest Municipalities

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