Inequalities in access to consumption of leisure goods and services in Brazil

Abstract

ABSTRACT The access to leisure is unevenly distributed in the societies. Despite the status of leisure as an individual right according to the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, as well as to the World Leisure Organization Charter for Leisure, many people still have limited or no access to leisure. These discrepancies are even more noticeable in highly unequal countries and regions such as Latin America. In particular, Brazil is one of the most unequal countries in the world, where the wealthiest 1% earn 28% of the national income. This article investigates how social and economic disparities lead to inequalities in the access to consumption of leisure goods and services. Data from a recent and representative Brazilian household budget survey are analysed. Different types of leisure were examined according to Dumazedier’s categories. The results revealed that the expenditure on leisure items in Brazil is associated to region, race, gender, family size and composition, education, and income. These findings highlight the need for policies to promote equal leisure opportunities as a means to development and justice.