Contemporary Issues of Sao Paulo

Despite its wealth and power, the São Paulo metropolitan area suffers from a range of problems.

The city is congested, traffic often moves at a snail’s pace, and the air is frequently smoggy and polluted.

Vast slum areas are home to at least 4 million of the metropolitan area’s residents. Incomes are very low for many families.

Street crime is common in poorer residential areas and in the downtown core.