Portugal Jobless Rate Falls to 5.9% in October

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.

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%.

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%.