# Law No. 6186 of December 11, 1974

> Brazilian law

**Wikidata**: [Q105660063](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q105660063)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/law-no-6186-of-december-11-1974

## Summary
Law No. 6186 of December 11, 1974, is a Brazilian federal statute enacted during the government of President Ernesto Geisel. It established regulatory frameworks for the Instituto Brasileiro de Geografia e Estatística (IBGE) and mandated municipal participation in statistical surveys, ensuring standardized data collection for public policy. The law remains a foundational legal instrument in Brazil’s administrative and statistical governance.

## Key Facts
- **Enactment Date:** December 11, 1974.
- **Approved By:** President Ernesto Geisel (military regime, 1964–1985).
- **LexML Brazil ID:** `urn:lex:br:federal:lei:1974-12-11;6186`.
- **Main Subjects:** Instituto Brasileiro de Geografia e Estatística (IBGE), municipalities, and obligations for statistical data collection.
- **Publication Date:** December 11, 1974.
- **Place of Publication:** Brasília, Federal District, Brazil.
- **Language:** Brazilian Portuguese.
- **Legal Citation:** Lei nº 6.186/1974.
- **Jurisdiction:** Federative Republic of Brazil.
- **Key Provision:** Mandated municipal compliance with IBGE-led statistical surveys and censuses.
- **Historical Context:** Enacted during Brazil’s military dictatorship (1964–1985).
- **Related Entities:** IBGE, Brazilian Presidency, municipal governments.

## FAQs
**What is Law No. 6186 of December 11, 1974?**  
This law is a Brazilian federal statute that institutionalized the role of the IBGE in conducting statistical surveys and mandated municipal participation in data collection processes. It was enacted under President Ernesto Geisel during Brazil’s military regime.

**Who approved Law No. 6186?**  
The law was approved by President Ernesto Geisel, who served as the President of Brazil from 1974 to 1979 under the military government.

**What is the primary purpose of Law No. 6186?**  
The law aimed to standardize and enforce the collection of statistical data across Brazil, ensuring municipalities cooperated with the IBGE to produce reliable information for public policy and governance.

**Where can the full text of Law No. 6186 be accessed?**  
The law is publicly available via the Brazilian Government’s legal database at [https://www.planalto.gov.br/ccivil_03/leis/1970-1979/l6186.htm](https://www.planalto.gov.br/ccivil_03/leis/1970-1979/l6186.htm).

**Is Law No. 6186 still in effect?**  
Yes, the law remains in force as of the latest updates, continuing to govern statistical activities and municipal obligations in Brazil.

## Why It Matters
Law No. 6186 is critical to Brazil’s administrative infrastructure, as it established the legal basis for the IBGE’s authority and ensured systematic data collection across municipalities. This law directly impacts public policy formulation, resource allocation, and demographic research by mandating standardized statistical practices. Its enactment during the military regime underscores its role in centralizing governance, while its enduring relevance reflects the importance of reliable data in modern state functions. By institutionalizing the IBGE’s mandate, the law has shaped Brazil’s ability to monitor socioeconomic trends, conduct censuses, and support evidence-based decision-making at federal, state, and municipal levels.

## Notable For
- **Foundational Legal Instrument:** First comprehensive statute formalizing the IBGE’s operational framework and municipal obligations in statistical surveys.
- **Military Regime Legislation:** Enacted during Brazil’s authoritarian period (1964–1985), reflecting the regime’s emphasis on centralized governance and data control.
- **Enduring Relevance:** Continues to underpin Brazil’s statistical systems, ensuring continuity in data collection methodologies for over 45 years.
- **Municipal Compliance Mechanism:** Introduced binding requirements for municipalities to participate in national censuses and surveys, enhancing data accuracy and coverage.
- **Public Policy Impact:** Enabled the production of critical datasets used in urban planning, economic development, and social programs nationwide.

## Body

### History and Enactment
Law No. 6186 was promulgated on December 11, 1974, during the administration of President Ernesto Geisel, a key figure in Brazil’s military dictatorship (1964–1985). The law emerged amid efforts to modernize Brazil’s administrative apparatus, emphasizing centralized control and data-driven governance. It built upon earlier statistical frameworks while expanding the IBGE’s authority to compel municipal cooperation in data collection—a priority for the military regime’s development agenda.

### Legal Framework and Structure
As a federal statute, Law No. 6186 falls under Brazil’s ordinary legislation hierarchy, subordinate to the Constitution but binding on all municipal and state entities. The law’s structure includes:  
- **Preamble:** Formal declaration of enactment by President Geisel.  
- **Articles:** Key provisions outlining the IBGE’s mandate, municipal obligations, and penalties for non-compliance.  
- **Transitory Provisions:** Guidelines for implementation and harmonization with existing laws.  

The statute adheres to Brazil’s legal codification system, published in the *Diário Oficial da União* (Official Gazette) and accessible via the LexML Brazil identifier `urn:lex:br:federal:lei:1974-12-11;6186`.

### Key Provisions and Impact
1. **IBGE Mandate:**  
   The law solidified the IBGE’s role as Brazil’s primary statistical agency, empowering it to design and execute national censuses, economic surveys, and demographic studies. This included authority to:  
   - Define methodological standards for data collection.  
   - Require municipalities to provide personnel and logistical support for surveys.  

2. **Municipal Obligations:**  
   For the first time, municipalities were legally obligated to participate in IBGE-coordinated activities. Non-compliance could result in:  
   - Withholding of federal funds.  
   - Judicial intervention to enforce cooperation.  

3. **Data Utilization:**  
   The law mandated that collected data serve public interest objectives, including:  
   - Informing federal and state budget allocations.  
   - Guiding infrastructure projects and social programs.  
   - Supporting academic and private-sector research (with confidentiality safeguards).  

### Legacy and Contemporary Relevance
Law No. 6186 remains integral to Brazil’s statistical system, underpinning initiatives such as the *Censo Demográfico* (Demographic Census) and the *Pesquisa Nacional por Amostra de Domicílios* (National Household Sample Survey). Its principles of mandatory municipal participation and centralized data governance have adapted to technological advancements, including digital data platforms.  

The law’s influence extends to:  
- **Modern Governance:** Continued reliance on IBGE data for policy-making, particularly in addressing regional disparities and monitoring socioeconomic indicators like poverty rates and education access.  
- **Democratic Transition:** Post-1985, the law’s framework ensured statistical continuity despite regime changes, supporting Brazil’s transition to democratic governance.  
- **International Comparability:** By aligning with United Nations statistical standards, the law facilitated Brazil’s participation in global datasets and development indices.  

### Connected Entities and Relationships
- **Instituto Brasileiro de Geografia e Estatística (IBGE):** Directly governed by the law, the IBGE remains Brazil’s premier statistical agency, producing data critical to national development strategies.  
- **Presidency of Brazil:** The law reflects executive branch authority over federal statistical policies, with the Presidency overseeing IBGE operations.  
- **Municipal Governments:** Over 5,500 Brazilian municipalities are bound by the law’s provisions, ensuring nationwide data coverage.  
- **Brazilian Constitution of 1988:** While enacted under a military regime, the law remains compatible with democratic governance principles enshrined in the 1988 Constitution, particularly Article 5 (individual rights) and Article 37 (public administration transparency).  

This statutory framework underscores the interdependence of legal, administrative, and technical systems in shaping Brazil’s capacity for evidence-based governance.

## References

1. [Source](https://www.lexml.gov.br/urn/urn:lex:br:federal:lei:1974-12-11;6186)
2. [Source](https://legislacao.presidencia.gov.br/atos?tipo=LEI&numero=6186&ano=1974&data=11/12/1974&ato=e2bQTQ65kenRVT97e)