Brazil has overtaken the UK as the world's sixth largest economy, according to a London-based research centre.br br The shift is part of a larger trend in which emerging economies are out doing some European countries.br br The south American country was still considered something of an economic underachiever a decade ago, but as its economy grew steadily in the past eight years, things started to change.br br Government's anti-poverty measures further helped in lifting more than 40 million people into a new middle class.br br Al Jazeera's Gabriel Elizondo reports from Sao Paulo, Brazil.