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Since the 1990s, Evangelicalism has spread rapidly across Brazil, reshaping the country’s religious landscape. This transformation has captured media attention across the Americas, yet few works offer a structured and theory-based account of the phenomenon.
The Economic Roots of Evangelicalism in Brazil
provides a detailed and empirically grounded analysis of this expansion through the lens of microeconomic theory. Rather than attributing the rise of Evangelicalism only to its appeal among the poor, this book examines the “production technologies” of religion. The authors explore how Evangelical churches opened temples, scaled operations, and reached converts nationwide—within a regulatory environment broadly favorable to religious entrepreneurship.
Drawing on data and analysis surrounding the microeconomics of consumers and firms, the authors demonstrate how Evangelical churches developed a dynamic organizational model that positioned them at the forefront of Brazil’s religious market. Bridging economics, sociology, political science, and religion, this book offers a rare interdisciplinary perspective on one of the most consequential social transformations in contemporary Latin America.
Fabio Miessi Sanches
is Associate Professor of Economics at the São Paulo School of Economics (FGV-EESP) and a founder of the Center for the Economics of Religion and Public Policy (CERP-USP). He holds a PhD in Economics from the London School of Economics and has taught at the University of São Paulo, PUC-Rio, Insper, and the BI Norwegian Business School. His research on religion and social change has been featured in news outlets including
The Economist
,
O Estado de S. Paulo
,
Folha de S. Paulo
,
O Globo
, and
Valor Econômico
.
Raphael Corbi
is Full Professor of Economics at the University of São Paulo. He is a founder and the research director of the Center for the Economics of Religion and Public Policy (CERP-USP). He was also an external consultant for Job Insecurity and Life Satisfaction in Latin America, commissioned by the Inter-American Development Bank.
List of contents
Introduction.- Supply: Market Regulation, Competition, and Costs.- Demand: The Impact of Demographic Changes.- Market Equilibrium: The Economic Roots of the Phenomenon.- Social and Political Implications.- Future of the Evangelical Phenomenon in Brazil.- Conclusions.
About the author
Fabio Miessi Sanches
is Associate Professor of Economics at the São Paulo School of Economics (FGV-EESP) and a founder of the Center for the Economics of Religion and Public Policy (CERP-USP). He holds a PhD in Economics from the London School of Economics and has taught at the University of São Paulo, PUC-Rio, Insper, and the BI Norwegian Business School. His research on religion and social change has been featured in news outlets including
The Economist
,
O Estado de S. Paulo
,
Folha de S. Paulo
,
O Globo
, and
Valor Econômico
.
Raphael Corbi
is Full Professor of Economics at the University of São Paulo. He is a founder and the research director of the Center for the Economics of Religion and Public Policy (CERP-USP). He was also an external consultant for Job Insecurity and Life Satisfaction in Latin America, commissioned by the Inter-American Development Bank.
Summary
Since the 1990s, Evangelicalism has spread rapidly across Brazil, reshaping the country’s religious landscape. This transformation has captured media attention across the Americas, yet few works offer a structured and theory-based account of the phenomenon.
The Economic Roots of Evangelicalism in Brazil
provides a detailed and empirically grounded analysis of this expansion through the lens of microeconomic theory. Rather than attributing the rise of Evangelicalism only to its appeal among the poor, this book examines the “production technologies” of religion. The authors explore how Evangelical churches opened temples, scaled operations, and reached converts nationwide—within a regulatory environment broadly favorable to religious entrepreneurship.
Drawing on data and analysis surrounding the microeconomics of consumers and firms, the authors demonstrate how Evangelical churches developed a dynamic organizational model that positioned them at the forefront of Brazil’s religious market. Bridging economics, sociology, political science, and religion, this book offers a rare interdisciplinary perspective on one of the most consequential social transformations in contemporary Latin America.
