Research highlights birth registration and Indigenous sanitation in Amazonas

By Ana Pastana – From Cenarium

MANAUS (AM) – Informative data on Indigenous birth registration, literacy rates, water supply, and other social services were highlighted in a study released by the Brazilian Institute of Geography and Statistics (IBGE) this Thursday, the 19th. The data is part of the 2022 Demographic Census on the main characteristics of people and households, considering urban and rural areas in the capital Manaus and the interior of Amazonas.

According to the demographic census, the state has 94.1% of Indigenous children up to 5 years old registered with birth certificates. Of the total 71,125 children, only 7.1% have the Indigenous Birth Administrative Registry (Registro Administrativo de Nascimento de Indígena – RANI). Another 5.5% are unregistered, and 0.3% stated they did not know or did not declare. Nationally, 94% of Indigenous children have birth registration, with 89.1% registered at a notary office and 5% through RANI. The data shows that the state of Amazonas has indicators equal to the national average and a higher-than-average use of RANI.

The municipality of São Gabriel da Cachoeira recorded a total of 89.9% of Indigenous children registered, with 87.6% at a notary office and 2.4% through RANI. The municipality of São Paulo de Olivença registered 96.8% of Indigenous children, 82.7% at a notary office, and 14.1% through RANI. In Tabatinga, a total of 96.4% of children were registered, with 91.7% at a notary office and 4.7% through RANI. Autazes recorded 97.7%, with 88.9% at a notary office and 8.8% through RANI.

In Tefé, 96.3% of children were registered, with 95.8% at a notary office. According to the research, the data points to progress in Indigenous birth registration. “These figures reflect advances in birth registration but also highlight challenges in more remote locations, where the use of RANI is more frequent,” the study states.

Literacy Rate

In Amazonas, the overall literacy rate for people aged 15 and older is 93.1%. The Indigenous literacy rate in the state is 85.94%, higher than the average for the Northern Region (84.73%) and the national average (84.95%).

Among the three municipalities in Amazonas with the highest Indigenous populations, the capital Manaus records the highest literacy rate at 94.26%. The municipality of São Gabriel da Cachoeira recorded 89.97% of literate Indigenous people, while Tabatinga registered 86.12%.

Water Supply

In Amazonas, 63.7% of Indigenous households have water supply through a general network, wells, springs, or mines with internal plumbing. In the capital Manaus, 92% of households have adequate water supply. São Gabriel da Cachoeira has only 30.4%. Autazes has a higher rate, with 57.6% of Indigenous households having piped water. In Tabatinga, 45% of households have adequate access to water supply. In Tefé, 80.5% of households are adequately supplied.

Household Heads

The data indicates that among the 146 Indigenous Territory (ITs) in Amazonas, five have the highest proportion of men as household heads. For example, in the Waimiri-Atroari Indigenous community, 99.1% of households (about 325 to 328) are headed by men. In the Deni Indigenous community, 93.7% of households (about 277 to 295) have male heads. The Alto Rio Negro Indigenous community has 89.5% of households headed by men, totaling 3,043 out of 1,528 households. In the Rio Biá community, 95.7% of households (about 156 to 163) are led by men. Meanwhile, among the Yanomami people, approximately 88% of households (1,344 out of 1,528) are headed by men.

Edited by John Britto

Translated from Portuguese by Gustô Alves