News

Portugal Unemployment Rate Edges Down in April
Portugal’s unemployment rate edged down to 5.7% in April 2026 from 5.8% in each of the previous two months, and compared with 6.2% a year earlier. The number of unemployed stood at 322,000, a decrease of 3,300 from the previous month. A persistent gender gap remained, with the unemployment rate for women at 6.1%, compared with 5.3% for men. Youth unemployment fell to 17.9%, its lowest level since October 2022. Meanwhile, the employment rate edged up to 66.2%, the highest since February 1998, from 66.0% in the previous month, with the number of employed rising by 23,000 to 5.344 million. The inactivity rate declined to 29.8% from 30.0%, while the labour force increased by 19,900 to 5.666 million. The labour underutilisation rate stood at 9.7%, down from 9.8% in the previous month.
Published on 2026-05-29

Portugal’s Unemployment Holds at 5.8% in March
Portugal’s unemployment rate remained steady at 5.8% in March 2026, slightly above the record lows of late 2025. A persistent gender gap kept women’s unemployment at 6.3%, compared to 5.3% for men. The adult unemployment rate inched up to 5.0%, from 4.7% recorded from November 2025 to January 2026, while the youth unemployment rate dropped to 18.1%, its lowest level since October 2022. The total number of unemployed rose by 2,400 to 328,400, while employment increased by 4,900 to 5.30 million. Both the employment rate (65.7%) and labor force participation rate (69.8%) remained unchanged. The broader labor underutilization rate, which includes the unemployed, marginally attached workers, and underemployed part-time workers, stood at 9.8%.
Published on 2026-04-29

Portugal Unemployment Holds at 5.8% in March
Portugal’s unemployment rate remained steady at 5.8% in March 2026, slightly above the record lows of late 2025. A persistent gender gap kept women’s unemployment at 6.3%, compared to 5.3% for men. The adult unemployment rate inched up to 5.0%, from 4.7% recorded from November 2025 to January 2026, while the youth unemployment rate dropped to 18.1%, its lowest level since October 2022. The total number of unemployed rose by 2,400 to 328,400, while employment increased by 4,900 to 5.30 million. Both the employment rate (65.7%) and labor force participation rate (69.8%) remained unchanged. The broader labor underutilization rate, which includes the unemployed, marginally attached workers, and underemployed part-time workers, stood at 9.8%.
Published on 2026-04-29

Portugal’s Unemployment Ticks Up to 5.8% in February
Portugal’s unemployment rate rose to 5.8% in February 2026, ending a period of record lows after reaching 5.6% in January. The increase was uneven across demographics: women faced a higher unemployment rate of 6.4%, compared to 5.2% for men, maintaining a 1.2 percentage-point gap. Meanwhile, the adult unemployment rate edged up to 4.9%, slightly above the 4.7% recorded from November 2025 to January 2026, while the youth unemployment rate fell to 18.2%, its lowest since October 2022. The total number of unemployed grew by 12,300, bringing the total to 328,100, while total employment declined by 13,500, falling to 5.29 million. The employment rate slipped to 65.6% from January’s record high of 65.8%, and the labor force participation rate also dipped slightly to 69.7% from 69.8%. Additionally, the labor underutilization rate, which accounts for the unemployed, marginally attached workers, and part-time workers seeking full-time employment, increased marginally to 9.7% from 9.6%.
Published on 2026-03-31

Portugal’s Unemployment Ticks Up in February
Portugal’s unemployment rate rose to 5.8% in February 2026, ending a period of record lows after reaching 5.6% in January. The increase was uneven across demographics: women faced a higher unemployment rate of 6.4%, compared to 5.2% for men, maintaining a 1.2 percentage-point gap. Meanwhile, the adult unemployment rate edged up to 4.9%, slightly above the 4.7% recorded from November 2025 to January 2026, while the youth unemployment rate fell to 18.2%, its lowest since October 2022. The total number of unemployed grew by 12,300, bringing the total to 328,100, while total employment declined by 13,500, falling to 5.29 million. The employment rate slipped to 65.6% from January’s record high of 65.8%, and the labor force participation rate also dipped slightly to 69.7% from 69.8%. Additionally, the labor underutilization rate, which accounts for the unemployed, marginally attached workers, and part-time workers seeking full-time employment, increased marginally to 9.7% from 9.6%.
Published on 2026-03-31

Portugal Unemployment Rate Remains at Record Low Level
Portugal’s unemployment rate held steady at a record-low 5.6% in January 2026. The adult unemployment rate remained at 4.7%, the lowest since April 2002, while youth unemployment declined 0.4 percentage points to 18.2%, the lowest since April 2023. The total number of unemployed edged up by 900 to 315,000, while total employment fell by 14,400 to 5.301 million. Despite this, the employment rate remained at an all-time high of 65.8%, and the labor force participation rate stayed near its historical peak at 69.7%. Meanwhile, the labor underutilization rate, which includes the unemployed, marginally attached workers, and part-time workers seeking full-time positions, edged down to 9.6% in January from 9.7% in December.
Published on 2026-03-03

Portugal’s Unemployment Rate at Over Two-Decade Low
Portugal’s unemployment rate edged down to 5.6% in December 2025 from 5.7% in November, marking its lowest level since February 2002. The adult unemployment rate stood at 4.7%, the lowest since April 2002, while youth unemployment fell 0.5 percentage points to 18.4%. The total number of unemployed declined by 3.4 thousand to 314.8 thousand, while employment rose by 16.7 thousand, reaching a record high of 5.317 million. The employment rate climbed to an all-time high of 65.9%, and the labor force participation rate increased to 69.8%, near its historical peak. Meanwhile, the labor underutilization rate, which includes the unemployed, marginally attached workers, and part-time workers seeking full-time employment, slightly decreased to 9.7% in December from 9.8% in November.
Published on 2026-01-29

Portugal Jobless Rate Lowest since 2020
Portugal’s unemployment rate decreased to 5.7% in November 2025, the lowest since April 2020, from 5.8% in the previous month. The total number of unemployed fell by 9 thousand to 318.8 thousand, while employment decreased by 21.5 thousand to 5.285 million. The labor force participation rate rose to 69.7% from 69.6% and the employment rate increased to 65.8% from 65.6%. Meanwhile, the labour underutilisation rate was estimated at 9.8%, down from 10% in October. A year earlier, the jobless rate was higher at 6.6%.
Published on 2026-01-07

Portugal Jobless Rate Falls to 5.9% in October
Portugal’s unemployment rate decreased to 5.9% in October 2025 from 6% in the previous month. The labor force participation rate fell to 69.6% from 69.9% and the employment rate fell to 65.5% from 65.7%. The total number of unemployed fell by 7.3 thousand to 329.1 thousand, while employment decreased by 12.6 thousand to 5.279 million. Meanwhile, the labour underutilisation rate was estimated at 10.1%, down from 10.2% in September. A year earlier, the jobless rate was higher at 6.6%.
Published on 2025-11-28

Portugal Unemployment Slightly Rises in September
Portugal’s unemployment rate edged up to 6.0% in September 2025, following a downward revision to 5.9% in August, and after reaching a five-year low of 5.8% in July. The total number of unemployed increased by 4.3 thousand to 337.2 thousand, while employment grew by 9.4 thousand, reaching a new all-time high of 5.287 million. Both the employment rate and labor force participation rate hit record levels at 65.7% and 69.9%, respectively. Meanwhile, the labor underutilization rate, which accounts for the unemployed, marginally attached workers, and part-time workers seeking full-time employment, rose slightly to 10.2% in September, up from 10.1% in August.
Published on 2025-10-29

Portugal Unemployment Rises Slightly in September
Portugal’s unemployment rate edged up to 6.0% in September 2025, following a downward revision to 5.9% in August, and after reaching a five-year low of 5.8% in July. The total number of unemployed increased by 4.3 thousand to 337.2 thousand, while employment grew by 9.4 thousand, reaching a new all-time high of 5.287 million. Both the employment rate and labor force participation rate hit record levels at 65.7% and 69.9%, respectively. Meanwhile, the labor underutilization rate, which accounts for the unemployed, marginally attached workers, and part-time workers seeking full-time employment, rose slightly to 10.2% in September, up from 10.1% in August.
Published on 2025-10-29

Portugal Unemployment Keeps Falling
Portugal’s unemployment rate fell to 5.8% in July 2025, the lowest since April 2020, from an upwardly revised 6.1% in June. The number of unemployed declined by 15.7 thousand to 323.1 thousand, while employment increased by 17.4 thousand to 5.260 million—the highest figure since February 1998. Meanwhile, the labor underutilization rate—which includes unemployed individuals, those marginally attached to the labor force, and part-time workers seeking full-time employment—eased to 10% in July, from 10.3% in June. The activity rate edged down to 69.4% from 69.5% in June.
Published on 2025-08-29

Portugal Unemployment Keeps Falling
Portugal’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate fell to 5.8% in July 2025, the lowest since April 2020, from an upwardly revised 6.1% in June. The number of unemployed declined by 15.7 thousand to 323.1 thousand, while employment increased by 17.4 thousand to 5.260 million—the highest figure since February 1998. Meanwhile, the labor underutilization rate—which includes unemployed individuals, those marginally attached to the labor force, and part-time workers seeking full-time employment—eased to 10% in July, from 10.3% in June. The activity rate edged down to 69.4% from 69.5% in June.
Published on 2025-08-29

Portugal Jobless Rate Sustains Decline
Portugal’s unemployment rate fell to 5.8% in July 2025, the lowest since April 2020, from an upwardly revised 6.1% in June. The number of unemployed declined by 15.7 thousand to 323.1 thousand, while employment increased by 17.4 thousand to 5.260 million—the highest figure since February 1998. Meanwhile, the labor underutilization rate—which includes unemployed individuals, those marginally attached to the labor force, and part-time workers seeking full-time employment—eased to 10% in July, from 10.3% in June. The activity rate edged down to 69.4% from 69.5% in June.
Published on 2025-08-29

Portugal Jobless Rate Falls to 3-Year Low
Portugal’s unemployment rate edged down to 6.0% in June 2025, from a downwardly revised 6.1% in May, marking the lowest level since March 2022. The number of unemployed fell by 5.3 thousand to 335.5 thousand, while employment increased by 8.3 thousand to 5.228 million—the highest figure since February 1998. Meanwhile, the labor underutilization rate—which includes unemployed individuals, those marginally attached to the labor force, and part-time workers seeking full-time employment—declined to 10.2% in June, down from 10.4% in May. The activity rate was unchanged at 69.3%.
Published on 2025-07-30

Portugal Jobless Rate Falls to 3-Year Low
Portugal’s unemployment rate edged down to 6.0% in June 2025, from a downwardly revised 6.1% in May, marking the lowest level since July 2022. The number of unemployed fell by 5.3 thousand to 335.5 thousand, while employment increased by 8.3 thousand to 5.228 million—the highest figure since February 1998. Meanwhile, the labor underutilization rate—which includes unemployed individuals, those marginally attached to the labor force, and part-time workers seeking full-time employment—declined to 10.2% in June, down from 10.4% in May. The activity rate was unchanged at 69.3%.
Published on 2025-07-30

Portugal Jobless Rate Steady at 6.3% in May
Portugal's unemployment rate held steady at 6.3% in May 2025, remaining at the lowest in one year. The number of unemployed individuals decreased by 900 to 348,900 and the employed decreased by 12,600 to 5.206 million. The employment rate fell to 6.49% in May from 65.1% in April and the labor force participation rate also decreased to 69.2% to 69.5%. Meanwhile, the labor underutilization rate, which accounts for the unemployed population, underemployed part-time workers, inactive individuals seeking employment but unavailable, and those available but not actively job-seeking, ticked down to 10.5% in May from 10.6% in April.
Published on 2025-07-01

Portugal Jobless Rate Falls to 1-Year Low
Portugal's unemployment rate fell to 6.3% in April 2025, the lowest in one year, from 6.5% in each of the previous two months. The number of unemployed individuals decreased by 4,100 to 349,100 and the employed increased by 33,400 to 5.216 million. The employment rate rose to 65.1% in April from 64.7% in March and the labor force participation rate also increased to 69.4% to 69.1%. Meanwhile, the labor underutilization rate, which accounts for the unemployed population, underemployed part-time workers, inactive individuals seeking employment but unavailable, and those available but not actively job-seeking, ticked down to 10.6% in April from 10.8% in March.
Published on 2025-06-02

Portugal Jobless Rate Steady at 6.5% in March
Portugal's unemployment rate was 6.5% in March 2025, matching the revised February figure, as the number of unemployed individuals rose by 2,100 to 358,700 and the employed increased by 3,100 to 5.175 million. The employment rate stood at 64.6% in March, unchanged from February and the labor force participation rate also held steady at 69.1%. Meanwhile, the labor underutilization rate, which accounts for the unemployed population, underemployed part-time workers, inactive individuals seeking employment but unavailable, and those available but not actively job-seeking, ticked up to 11% in March from 10.9% in February. The youth unemployment rate, which measures job-seekers between the ages of 16 and 24, fell to 20.7%, from a revised 21% in February.
Published on 2025-04-30

Portugal Jobless Rate Slightly Up in February
Portugal's unemployment rate inched up to 6.4% in February 2025 from 6.3% in the previous month, as the number of unemployed individuals increased by 4,800 to 354,200. At the same time, employment saw a modest rise, with the number of employed individuals growing by 2,100 to 5.16 million. Meanwhile, the labor underutilization rate, which accounts for the unemployed population, underemployed part-time workers, inactive individuals seeking employment but unavailable, and those available but not actively job-seeking, ticked up to 10.9% from 10.8%. Additionally, the employment rate dipped slightly to 64.5% from 64.6%, while the labor force participation rate edged up to 69.0% from 68.9%.
Published on 2025-03-31