Ethnic-Gender Discrepancies in Mortality Outcomes in Brazil: Analysis of Inequalities (2014–2023)

Abstract Introduction Social, racial, gender, and educational inequalities historically constructed in Brazil have a direct impact on health outcomes. Unequal access to basic rights such as healthcare, safety, education, and employment contributes to different patterns of illness and death. The analysis of mortality data allows for an understanding of how these discrepancies manifest throughout life. Methods Observational, retrospective, descriptive-analytical study with a quantitative approach, using secondary data extracted from the Mortality Information System (SIM) of the Brazilian Ministry of Health, from 2014 to 2023. Results The Brazilian population is mainly composed of women (51.5%) and Black or Brown individuals (56.1%). Premature deaths (ages 20 to 49) show a male predominance: 76.75% among ages 20-29, 72.53% among 30-39, and 67.56% among 40-49. Black/Brown individuals are the majority: 75.21% (20-29) and 69.65% (30-39), while Whites represent only 22.71% and 27.57%, respectively. The main causes were external (violence, homicides, traffic accidents). From age 80 onwards, the pattern reverses, with a predominance of women (52.72%) and White individuals (60.96%). Among deaths from 20 to 49 years, 47% had up to seven years of schooling, and only 8% had completed 12 years or more-suggesting that lower education levels are associated with a higher risk of premature death. Conclusions The analysis highlights significant ethnic-racial, gender, and educational inequalities in mortality outcomes in Brazil. Young Black/Brown men with low education levels are disproportionately affected by premature and often preventable deaths. In contrast, longevity is more common among women, Whites, and those with higher education, revealing persistent structural barriers that hinder aging among the Black and less-educated population. These discrepancies reinforce the urgency of intersectoral public policies aimed at violence prevention and the promotion of health equity. Key messages • Young Black and low-educated Brazilians die younger, exposing structural inequalities in race, gender, and education. • Longevity is more common among women, Whites, and the educated, revealing social barriers to equitable aging in Brazil.