The Federal District isn't a state, it's the same system as in the U.S where Washington D.C doesn't belong to a particular state. All bottom 9 states are from the North East, while the 7 states that proceed it are Northern states. The top 11 are composed of the Centre West states (Mato Grosso, Goias, Mato Grosso do Sul and the DF) which are heavily based on agriculture. While the South and South east are mostly manufacturing and services.

Clear cut difference, the North (in red) are the poorest 16 states and the ones South of that are the wealthiest 11.


However fortunately the North East in the last 14 years as shown the greatest signs of improvement. (note all these figures are from 2005)

Comparing stats from 2000 to 2005, as you can see theirs been a great improvement.
DF 0,844 - DF 0,874
SC 0,822 - SC 0,840
SP 0,820 - SP 0,833
RS 0,814 - RJ 0,832
RJ 0,807 - RS 0,832
PR 0,787 - PR 0,820
MS 0,778 - ES 0,802
GO 0,776 - MS 0,802
MT 0,773 - GO 0,800
MG 0,773 - MG 0,800
ES 0,765 - MT 0,796
AP 0,753 - AP 0,780
RR 0,746 - AM 0,780
RO 0,735 - RO 0,776
PA 0,723 - TO 0,756
AM 0,713 - PA 0,755
TO 0,710 - AC 0,751
PE 0,705 - RR 0,750
RN 0,705 - BA 0,742
CE 0,700 - SE 0,742
AC 0,697 - RN 0,738
BA 0,688 - CE 0,723
SE 0,682 - PE 0,718
PB 0,661 - PB 0,718
PI 0,656 - PI 0,703
AL 0,649 - MA 0,683
MA 0,636 - AL 0,67