TV Brasil shows the importance of mathematics for the Brazilian economy

24/04/2024

The value of mathematics for the Brazilian economy was the subject of a report on TV Brasil on Monday (22). The report showed how the area has been gaining importance for advances in technology and innovation, such as artificial intelligence and business intelligence. Mathematics can be a tool to combat complex social problems, such as climate and humanitarian crises.

Itaú Social, in partnership with IMPA, carried out an unprecedented study to assess the impact that mathematics has on the Brazilian economy. The results of the study revealed that the income of professionals working in areas linked to mathematics corresponded to 4.6% of the country’s GDP between 2012 and 2023.

Marcelo Viana, director-general of IMPA, spoke about the impact of other research around the world. “There are several studies that have been carried out in countries such as the United Kingdom, France, the Netherlands, which show that in these countries mathematics is currently producing between 16 and 18% of their Gross Domestic Product (GDP). When I talk about mathematics, I’m talking about applications in all areas,” he said.

In 2022, UNESCO also highlighted the importance of mathematicians in solving the problems of our time, as shown in the publication “Mathematics for Action: Supporting Science-Based Decision Making”. The study was cited in the article.

Cristiano Ferraz, technology director at Netcon Brasil, highlighted the profile most sought after by the market in the country. “A mathematician who has a good education, or a postgraduate degree, or their own study, or published work, in computer science. They have to understand computer science, and if they know how to program, that’s even better, because there is a huge demand for mathematicians who know how to program,” he said.

In this scenario, IMPA Tech’s innovative and interdisciplinary curriculum stands out. Students have theoretical and practical classes to study Algebra, Programming, English, Language Skills, among other subjects. The degree in Mathematics for Technology and Innovation aims to train students to enter the job market effectively. The course begins with a basic cycle of one and a half years. Students then choose between four emphases: Mathematics, Computer Science, Data Science and Physics.

The report also showed that employability for those who graduate in mathematics is high, as are the chances of career growth. According to the Brazilian Association of Information and Communication Technology Companies, Brazil employs around 53,000 new mathematicians every year. However, there are shortcomings in the country’s basic education. The latest publication from the International Student Assessment Program (Pisa), from 2022, shows that 73% of students scored below the minimum in mathematics.

Speaking to TV Brasil, Marcelo Viana defended the importance of the subject in the basic education of Brazilian students. “Access to mathematical knowledge and the use of mathematical tools, such as basic operations, interest and logic, are minimum conditions for citizenship that are just as important as literacy,” he concluded.

Read more: ‘OBMEP was essential for me to be at IMPA Tech’, says undergraduate student
See also: For BBC, Folha and Valor, the age of mathematicians has arrived