Throughout the transatlantic slave trade, Portuguese slave traders transported the highest number of African slaves across the Atlantic Ocean, and had a near-monopoly on the slave trade until the mid-1600s. From the 16th to 19th centuries, it is estimated that almost five million slaves were transported from Africa and disembarked in Brazil. The most common disembarking region was in the Southeast, around the region of Rio de Janeiro, with almost 2.3 million slaves arriving here, with the overall numbers generally decreasing further to the north and around the coast. The region of Bahia (around present-day Salvador) was the most common arrival point for slaves in earlier centuries. However, southern routes became more favorable in the 19th century as Portuguese and Brazilian slave traders tried to avoid the British Royal Navy, who policed the oceans and suppressed the transatlantic slave trade from 1808 onwards.
Estimated number of slaves who arrived from Africa in various regions of Brazil in each century from 1561 to 1856
This data relates only to slaves who embarked on slave ships in Africa, and disembarked in Brazil. This data does not include slaves who arrived from other regions of the Americas.
No release date given in the source. Data last accessed in August 2020.
Profit from the additional features of your individual account
Currently, you are using a shared account. To use individual functions (e.g., mark statistics as favourites, set
statistic alerts) please log in with your personal account.
If you are an admin, please authenticate by logging in again.
Learn more about how Statista can support your business.
Slave Voyages. (January 1, 2020). Estimated number of slaves who arrived from Africa in various regions of Brazil in each century from 1561 to 1856 [Graph]. In Statista. Retrieved December 22, 2024, from https://www.statista.com/statistics/1150572/number-slaves-arrived-in-each-region-of-brazil-from-africa/
Slave Voyages. "Estimated number of slaves who arrived from Africa in various regions of Brazil in each century from 1561 to 1856." Chart. January 1, 2020. Statista. Accessed December 22, 2024. https://www.statista.com/statistics/1150572/number-slaves-arrived-in-each-region-of-brazil-from-africa/
Slave Voyages. (2020). Estimated number of slaves who arrived from Africa in various regions of Brazil in each century from 1561 to 1856. Statista. Statista Inc.. Accessed: December 22, 2024. https://www.statista.com/statistics/1150572/number-slaves-arrived-in-each-region-of-brazil-from-africa/
Slave Voyages. "Estimated Number of Slaves Who Arrived from Africa in Various Regions of Brazil in Each Century from 1561 to 1856." Statista, Statista Inc., 1 Jan 2020, https://www.statista.com/statistics/1150572/number-slaves-arrived-in-each-region-of-brazil-from-africa/
Slave Voyages, Estimated number of slaves who arrived from Africa in various regions of Brazil in each century from 1561 to 1856 Statista, https://www.statista.com/statistics/1150572/number-slaves-arrived-in-each-region-of-brazil-from-africa/ (last visited December 22, 2024)
Estimated number of slaves who arrived from Africa in various regions of Brazil in each century from 1561 to 1856 [Graph], Slave Voyages, January 1, 2020. [Online]. Available: https://www.statista.com/statistics/1150572/number-slaves-arrived-in-each-region-of-brazil-from-africa/