Portuguese 
Santa Catarina recorded 109,209 international immigrants between 2000 and 2022, according to the Migration Atlas launched by Udesc in September 2026, based on SISMIGRA data. Registrations surged from 12,641 (2000-2009) to 96,568 (2010-2022). Haitians account for 35,536 registrations, Venezuelans 24,797, and Florianópolis is home to 22,177 registered individuals during the analyzed period.
Santa Catarina recorded 109,209 international immigrants between 2000 and 2022, according to data from SISMIGRA (National Migratory Registration System). The majority of these registrations occurred after 2010: there were 12,641 between 2000 and 2009 and 96,568 between 2010 and 2022, a leap of approximately 7.6 times. Haitians and Venezuelans lead the nationalities, and Florianópolis houses 22,177 registered individuals.
The data are part of the Thematic Atlas of International Migrations in Santa Catarina in the 21st Century, with its printed version launched by Udesc (State University of Santa Catarina) this week at the Tito Sena Auditorium, at the Center for Human Sciences and Education (Faed) in Florianópolis. The information was published by ND Mais on September 4, 2026, in a report by Maria Isabel Miranda, edited by Thaane Otero.
From 12,641 to 96,568 Registrations: Influx Grew 7.6 Times Since 2010
Between 2000 and 2009, the state accounted for 12,641 migration registrations. From 2010 to 2022, the number surged to 96,568 individuals, representing an increase of approximately 7.6 times compared to the prior decade.
-
My House, My Life Apartments Listed for Sale Up to R$ 45,000 Before Full Key Delivery, City Warns Buyers of Irregular Transactions That Could Lead to Loss of Property and Rights
-
Traditional Brazilian Shoe Manufacturer Shuts Down After 55 Years, Leaving 200 Unemployed in Town of 35,000
-
BRICS Signs Declaration Condemning Unilateral Tariffs and Sanctions Without UN Approval as Brazil Confronts US Tariffs of 25% and 12.5%
-
Tobacco Giant Owning Lucky Strike, Dunhill, and Derby Announces 5,500 Job Cuts and Outsourcing of 3,500 Positions, Impacting Nearly 20% of Its 47,000 Workers While Aiming for Smoke-Free Products to Account for Half of Revenue by 2035
The post-2010 period was characterized, according to the atlas, by a significant diversification of flows originating from the Global South, particularly from Haiti, Venezuela, and Argentina.
Gláucia de Oliveira Assis, a professor and coordinator of the Santa Catarina Migration Observatory, summarizes the shift in profile. “These are migrants from Africa, the Caribbean, and Central America, which shows that Brazil has become a destination for these migrants,” she stated.
Florianópolis leads with 22,177 registrations; Joinville, Chapecó, and Balneário Camboriú follow
Florianópolis is the municipality with the most registrations in Santa Catarina: 22,177 people. Next are Joinville (10,498), Chapecó (6,794), Balneário Camboriú (6,076), Itajaí (3,893), and Blumenau (3,532).
Neighboring municipalities of the capital also stand out: São José has 2,517 registrations and Palhoça, 2,178.
Florianópolis Region totals 28,345 registrations, 26% of the state total
When considering the Intermediate Geographic Region of Florianópolis, the total reaches 28,345 registrations, which corresponds to 26% of the state total. In other words, more than one in four immigrants registered in Santa Catarina is in the capital region.
Chapecó Region rose from 17 to 16,488 registrations; Blumenau, from 1,447 to 22,229
Other regions saw significant jumps between the two periods. Blumenau’s registrations rose from 1,447 (2000-2009) to 22,229 (2010-2022). Joinville surged from 349 to 12,234.
The most notable case is that of Chapecó: from 17 registrations in the first decade to 16,488 in the second, according to the atlas.
80,875 single and 23,227 married: profile in the active age range
The overall profile of registered immigrants indicates a predominance of people in the active age range, according to the survey. Regarding marital status, 80,875 declared themselves single and 23,227 married.
RAIS 2021 shows 41,258 formal job links; Chapecó leads with 16,565
Data from RAIS (Annual Report on Social Information) 2021 indicate 41,258 active formal job links for immigrants in the state. Chapecó led in generating formal jobs for this population, with 16,565 links, followed by Blumenau (9,868), Florianópolis (5,380), and Joinville (4,956).
The order is different from the entry records: Florianópolis, first in registrations, ranks third in formal ties.
Haitians with long-term visas; Venezuelans with humanitarian permits
The forms of regularization vary by nationality. Among Haitians, long-term visas and protections dominate, with 18,124 individuals. For Venezuelans, temporary registrations and humanitarian permits stand out, totaling 22,703 individuals.
Criciúma welcomes Ghanaians, and the West welcomes Senegalese
In Florianópolis, there is a strong presence of Haitians, Argentinians, and Venezuelans. Chapecó, Joinville, and Blumenau absorb a large volume of Haitians, according to the atlas.
Criciúma stands out for hosting immigrants from African countries, especially Ghanaians, with 156 registrations. Senegalese are notably present in the West, particularly in Chapecó, with 51 registrations.
Numbers do not indicate current residents and exclude undocumented individuals
The data from the National Migratory Registration System / Federal Police considers the registrations made at entry and during regularization from 2000 onwards. Therefore, according to the atlas methodology, the 109,209 registrations do not necessarily reflect the number of immigrants currently residing, as departures from the country and deaths are not accounted for.
The data also does not include undocumented individuals or the total accumulated applications for asylum. The printed atlas, launched by Udesc in Florianópolis, is the consolidated version of this overview from 2000 to 2022.
Is Santa Catarina prepared to absorb a migratory flow that grew 7.6 times in just over a decade, or do the municipalities that receive the most immigrants, such as Florianópolis and Chapecó, need more infrastructure? Please leave your opinion in the comments.
