Research carried out by Serasa and Flexpag on the profile of profile of Brazilian indebtedness in 2023 shows that 13 per cent of people in debt in Brazil are unable to pay basic bills such as bills such as electricity, water or gas. Eight out of ten have reduced their consumption of these services, which appear among the three biggest expenses for another year, accounting for 24 per cent of the household budget, behind supermarkets (34 per cent in recent years and 33 per cent in the last 12 months) and credit cards (with 26 per cent and 29 per cent respectively), respectively).

In the online survey carried out in October, in partnership with the Opinion Box research institute, 11,541 people aged 18 and over were interviewed who are included in Serasa’s database of defaulters throughout Brazil. For 53 per cent of those interviewed, spending on basic bills takes up the biggest chunk of their monthly budget.

In 82% of cases, the value of the bills is up to R$750. Among those interviewed, 83% said they had already delayed other bills in order to prioritise paying for water, electricity or gas. A further 61 per cent have borrowed money from friends and family to pay a bill; 49 per cent have already taken out a loan and 45 per cent have had their supply cut off due to arrears.

Original Story: Canal Energia | Sueli Montenegro 
Photo:Photo by Cesar Fermino on FreeImages
Edition and translation: Prime Yield