Rio de Janeiro's Human Development Index (HDI) rose significantly from the year 2000 to 2010 - from 0.716 to 0.7999 - meaning that there are more opportunities for Brazilians.

cariocas who were once selling bottles of water, soft drinks, and sandwiches are now profiting from favelas becoming more accessible to tourists, who can even stay in special hostels or enjoy new year's eve within the elevated favelas, overlooking Rio de Janeiro. 

One example of a favela currently benefitting from an improved HDI rating is santa marta in botafogo.

Another favela reaching cult-status is vidigal, in a beach-front area of rio - attracting local and foreign residents, vidigal is now nick-named the santa teresa of the zona sul.