Excluídos

Excluídos is a term used in Portuguese to designate people or groups that are systematically excluded from participation in society or in specific domains such as employment, education, housing, healthcare, or political life. It is employed in sociology, public policy, development studies, and human rights discourse to describe processes of social exclusion and marginalization.

Causes and mechanisms of exclusion include a combination of economic disadvantage, discrimination, stigma, limited access to services, and gaps in policy design or implementation. Excluídos can include diverse groups such as youth, older adults, racial or ethnic minorities, immigrants and refugees, people with disabilities, LGBTQ+ individuals, residents of rural areas, informal workers, and those with criminal justice histories.

Patterns and impacts: exclusion is linked to poorer health, lower educational attainment, reduced employment opportunities, housing insecurity, and diminished social participation, which can perpetuate cycles of poverty and weaken social capital. Researchers measure exclusion with indicators like income poverty, material deprivation, unemployment or inactivity, and access to essential services, sometimes using composite indices.

Policy responses: addressing excluídos requires inclusive strategies such as social protection, universal or targeted access to health and education, anti-discrimination and anti-stigma measures, programs that support labor market entry, and initiatives that promote social integration and civic participation. The concept informs debates on inclusion, social cohesion, human rights, and equitable development.