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With Evacuation Growing in Engineering Courses and Enrollment Numbers Plummeting in the Country, Experts Warn of Structural Impacts and Future Risks in Fundamental Sectors of the Economy, Such as Infrastructure, Technological Innovation, and Energy, Demanding Immediate Actions from All Sectors.
In the last ten years, Brazil has seen a significant drop in enrollments in engineering courses.
The number of new students fell from around 469,000 in 2014 to 358,000 in 2023 – a reduction of 23%, according to data from the Higher Education Map of the Semesp Institute.
In Civil Engineering alone, the picture is even more striking: from 358,000 students in 2015, this number dropped to 172,000 in 2023, a decrease of 51%.
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The crisis in engineering in Brazil is manifested in almost all traditional areas of the sector — such as Production, Mechanical, Electrical, Electronic, and Chemical Engineering.
Meanwhile, only courses focused on technology, such as Computer Engineering and Software Engineering, continue to grow, driven by digital transformation.
Experts Sound the Alarm
“It is an alert that cannot be ignored,” emphasizes Marcos Massahiro Wada, civil engineer and president of the Association of Engineers and Architects of Alta Noroeste (AEAN) in an article published by the mentioned entity.
He points to career instability, early dropout, and curriculum gaps as factors exacerbating the crisis in engineering in Brazil.
According to the National Industry Confederation (CNI), the drop in engineering enrollments has already caused a deficit of 75,000 professionals between 2014 and 2021.
Additionally, the country lost around 150,000 students during this same period.
Why Are Young People Giving Up Engineering?
The perception that the profession has lost prestige and stability has driven young people away.
Many recent graduates find it difficult to enter the formal job market or end up migrating to other areas such as management and technology.
The difficulty of the courses also weighs in.
Data from Semesp shows that dropout rates in private in-person engineering courses exceed 39%.
“Many give up in the first semesters, discouraged by the heavy course load,” says Wada.
Another central point of the crisis in engineering in Brazil lies in the misalignment between what universities offer and what the productive sector demands.
Rigidity in curricula, little emphasis on innovation and sustainability, and a lack of interdisciplinary practices further alienate students.
Strategic Impacts for the Country
The drop in engineering enrollments directly compromises Brazil’s ability to execute infrastructure projects, carry out the energy transition, and compete in sectors such as urban mobility and industrial technology.
Without qualified engineers, the country risks losing relevance in strategic areas for national development.
“Without these professionals, there is no possible sustainable advancement,” concludes Wada.
How to Reverse the Scenario?
Experts advocate for coordinated action among government, educational institutions, and the private sector to address the crisis in engineering in Brazil.
Wada proposes measures such as:
- Curriculum reform connected to Industry 4.0
- Internships from the first years
- Practical projects focused on sustainability
- Partnerships with companies and innovation centers
Furthermore, public policies to encourage retention and appreciation of the career are essential.
Scholarships, mentorships, and incentive programs can help reverse the drop in engineering enrollments.
International Inspirations
Countries like South Korea, the United States, and China continue to invest in engineering education as part of their economic growth strategies.
Brazil, in contrast, is experiencing a crisis in engineering that threatens its development potential.
In your view, what can be done to make engineering an attractive and essential career again for the country’s future?
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