In Brazil, Federal Government's Contribution to State Security Spending Falls Below 2%

A new audit report prepared by the Brazilian Court of Accounts (TCU) reveals that the financial burden assumed by the federal government regarding the states' public security expenditures is extremely limited. The technical team, examining data from 2023 to 2025, determined that the resources transferred by the Union (federal government) to the states range between 1.17% and 1.31%. These figures clearly show that over the past three years, public security policies have been almost entirely financed by the states' own resources. This very low financial support provided by the federal government seriously weakens the implementation of the National Public Security and Social Defense Plan (PNSP). This situation raises significant concerns regarding the achievement of the plan's goals, which cover the period from 2021 to 2030.

According to the report, the inadequacy of the federal government's financial contributions makes it highly difficult for states to adopt the guidelines of the national security plan. TCU auditors emphasize that this extreme disparity restricts the central government's capacity to direct the states. Because state security forces take direct responsibility for field operations, it is unrealistic to expect states to remain fully committed to a federal plan that lacks adequate funding. This structural issue is considered one of the biggest obstacles preventing national cohesion in Brazil's security policies.

Another crucial reason for the weak implementation of the security plan is the structural deficiencies during the preparation phase and the exclusion of the states from the process. The plan was designed almost entirely by federal institutions, failing to reflect the real security needs experienced by the states on the ground. This approach, which ignores local dynamics, risks turning the national plan into a mere paper declaration disconnected from field realities.

The operational audit conducted by TCU identified serious inconsistencies in the monitoring of the plan. It was determined that administrative governance tools required to effectively track the security plan are entirely missing. Furthermore, it was understood that the success rates regarding some vital targets of the plan were coincidental. For instance, some important goals aimed at reducing crime rates had already been achieved long before the plan came into effect, revealing methodological errors in the target-setting phase.

The Brazilian Court of Accounts has issued mandatory recommendations to the federal government. TCU Rapporteur Jorge Oliveira, representing the Ministry of Justice, has mandated a 180-day period to restructure the national security plan in collaboration with state administrations. Within this scope, a clear cooperation model must be developed to ensure the active participation of the states. Additionally, the government is required to submit a detailed Annual Evaluation Report for 2025 to the Court of Accounts.