SOCIAL PROGRESS INDEX IN BRAZIL AT SUBNATIONAL LEVEL: LITERATURE REVIEW

Abstract

This study aimed to identify and analyze scientific publications and works carried out in Brazil where the Social Progress Index (SPI) was applied at a subnational level. The research lists academic works and also works published by electronic means (portals), which represent meaningful advances in the use of SPI as a more complete and current approach to see regions' position towards Social Progress. It was concluded that, in general, the index that is widely used today in the world is still little used in Brazil, and there is an opportunity for its better use. In Brazil, the inefficiency in the application of public money is considered serious and the problems are currently accentuated by the influence of the COVID-19 pandemic. In this, there is a pressure on the increase of expenses and budget constraint, guided by the excess of unscheduled expenses. This scenario justifies the search for decision-making instruments such as the SPI. In addition, social inequality tends to increase further due to the large impact on formal and informal labor markets, with high unemployment rates. This fact makes relevant the adoption of new methods and metrics (such as the SPI, an important index to measure Social Progress and regional disparities), capable of directing the application of assertive and efficient public policies, aiming at sustainable regional development, combating inequality and making better use of public money. The Social Progress Index, therefore, is an important, comprehensive and revealing tool to show the strengths and weaknesses of regions and municipalities, and can be applied as a deterministic instrument to guide social, public and private actions.