Industrial Decentralization in Brazil in the 1990'S : A Dynamic Regionally Distinct Process

The article discusses the trends in Brazilian industry in the 1990's. It shows some important changes that are going on the manufacturing sector, such as the loss of employment in the main industrial regions (Southeast) and the increasing number of jobs offered in the less developed ones (South, Center-West and some states of the Northeast). Apparently, the new enterprises are looking for lower wages and fiscal advantages, as well as the good infrastructure in the South of the country. It is proposed an indicator, which uses worker's wage and educational data, as well as the share of scientific and technical labor, so that the industry located in the different regions could be compared. As expected, the workers in the new industrial areas receive lower wages and have less years of education. These results may represent a change in Brazilian industrial localization pattern, so that the interior of the country could be benefited as the firms decide their future investments