Economy
Agricultural products (Agriculture-products) [time series]
grain, potatoes, olives, grapes; sheep, cattle, goats, poultry, meat, dairy products
Budget [time series]
revenues: $48 billion expenditures: $52 billion, including capital expenditures of $7.4 billion (1996 est.)
Exchange rates (Currency) [time series]
1 Portuguese escudo (Esc) = 100 centavos
Debt - external (Debt-external) [time series]
$13.1 billion (1997 est.)
Economic aid [time series]
donor: ODA, $220 million (1996) recipient: ODA, $70 million (1993)
Economic overview (Economy-overview) [time series]
Portugal's short-term economic fundamentals remain strong: 1997 was marked by a reduction in inflation, a rise in the GDP growth rate, a reduction in the fiscal deficit, and a lowering of interest rates. The Socialist government's primary economic goal is to place Portugal in the initial group of countries adopting the single European currency; Lisbon looks well positioned to be in the first tranche of EMU countries. As for the long run, Portugal is increasing its infrastructure spending, in anticipation of hosting the world's International Exposition, which began in May 1998. Lisbon also is working to modernize its capital plant and increase competitiveness in hope of moving up closer to the EU average.
Electricity - capacity (Electricity-capacity) [time series]
8.831 million kW (1995)
Electricity - consumption per capita (Electricity-consumption per capita) [time series]
3,072 kWh (1995)
Electricity - production (Electricity-production) [time series]
31.446 billion kWh (1995)
Exchange rates [time series]
Portuguese escudos (Esc) per US$1-185.81 (January 1998), 175.31 (1997), 154.24 (1996), 151.11 (1995), 165.99 (1994), 160.80 (1993)
Exports [time series]
total value: $23.8 billion (f.o.b., 1996) commodities: clothing and footwear, machinery, cork and paper products, hides partners: EU 76%, other developed countries 9% (US 5%)
Fiscal year [time series]
calendar year Communications
Real GDP (purchasing power parity) (GDP) [time series]
purchasing power parity-$149.5 billion (1997 est.)
GDP - composition, by sector of origin (GDP-composition by sector) [time series]
agriculture: 6% industry: 36% services: 58% (1995 est.)
Real GDP per capita (GDP-per capita) [time series]
purchasing power parity-$15,200 (1997 est.)
Real GDP growth rate (GDP-real growth rate) [time series]
3.3% (1997 est.)
Imports [time series]
total value: $33.9 billion (c.i.f., 1996) commodities: machinery and transport equipment, agricultural products, chemicals, petroleum, textiles partners: EU 72%, other developed countries 8% (US 3%), less developed countries 17% (1995)
Industrial production growth rate [time series]
2.2% (1996 est.)
Industries [time series]
textiles and footwear; wood pulp, paper, and cork; metalworking; oil refining; chemicals; fish canning; wine; tourism
Inflation rate (consumer prices) (Inflation rate-consumer price index) [time series]
2.3% (1997 est.)
Labor force [time series]
total: 4.53 million (1996 est.) by occupation: services 56%, manufacturing 23%, agriculture, forestry, fisheries 11%, construction 8%, utilities 1%, mining 1% (1995)
Broadcast media (Radio broadcast stations) [time series]
AM 57, FM 66 (repeaters 22), shortwave 0
Radios [time series]
2.2 million (1993 est.)
Telecommunication systems (Telephone system) [time series]
domestic: generally adequate integrated network of coaxial cables, open wire, microwave radio relay, and domestic satellite earth stations international: 6 submarine cables; satellite earth stations-3 Intelsat (2 Atlantic Ocean and 1 Indian Ocean), NA Eutelsat; tropospheric scatter to Azores; note - an earth station for Inmarsat (Atlantic Ocean region) is planned
Telephones - fixed lines (Telephones) [time series]
358.61 million (1995 est.)
Broadcast media (Television broadcast stations) [time series]
66 (repeaters 23)
Televisions [time series]
2,970,892 (1993 est.)
Unemployment rate [time series]
7% (January 1998)
Geography
total: 92,391 sq km land: 91,951 sq km water: 440 sq km note: includes Azores and Madeira Islands
Area - comparative (Area-comparative) [time series]
slightly smaller than Indiana
Climate [time series]
maritime temperate; cool and rainy in north, warmer and drier in south
Coastline [time series]
1,793 km
Elevation (Elevation extremes) [time series]
lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m highest point: Ponta do Pico in Azores 2,351 m
Environment - current issues (Environment-current issues) [time series]
soil erosion; air pollution caused by industrial and vehicle emissions; water pollution, especially in coastal areas
International environmental agreements (Environment-international agreements) [time series]
party to: Air Pollution, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Marine Life Conservation, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 83, Wetlands signed, but not ratified: Air Pollution-Volatile Organic Compounds, Environmental Modification, Nuclear Test Ban, Tropical Timber 94
Geographic coordinates [time series]
39 30 N, 8 00 W
Geography - note (Geography-note) [time series]
Azores and Madeira Islands occupy strategic locations along western sea approaches to Strait of Gibraltar
Irrigated land [time series]
6,300 sq km (1993 est.)
Land boundaries [time series]
total: 1,214 km border countries: Spain 1,214 km
Land use [time series]
arable land: 26% permanent crops: 9% permanent pastures: 9% forests and woodland: 36% other: 20% (1993 est.)
Location [time series]
Southwestern Europe, bordering the North Atlantic Ocean, west of Spain
Map references [time series]
Europe
Maritime claims [time series]
continental shelf: 200-m depth or to the depth of exploitation exclusive economic zone: 200 nm territorial sea: 12 nm
Natural hazards [time series]
Azores subject to severe earthquakes
Natural resources [time series]
fish, forests (cork), tungsten, iron ore, uranium ore, marble
Terrain [time series]
mountainous north of the Tagus, rolling plains in south
Government
Administrative divisions [time series]
18 districts (distritos, singular-distrito) and 2 autonomous regions* (regioes autonomas, singular-regiao autonoma); Aveiro, Acores (Azores)*, Beja, Braga, Braganca, Castelo Branco, Coimbra, Evora, Faro, Guarda, Leiria, Lisboa, Madeira*, Portalegre, Porto, Santarem, Setubal, Viana do Castelo, Vila Real, Viseu
Constitution [time series]
25 April 1976, revised 30 October 1982, 1 June 1989, 5 November 1992, and 3 September 1997
Country name [time series]
conventional long form: Portuguese Republic conventional short form: Portugal local long form: Republica Portuguesa local short form: Portugal
Data code [time series]
PO
Dependent areas [time series]
Macau (scheduled to become a Special Administrative Region of China on 20 December 1999)
Diplomatic representation from the US [time series]
chief of mission: Ambassador Gerald S. MCGOWAN embassy: Avenida das Forcas Armadas, 1600 Lisbon mailing address: PSC 83, APO AE 09726 telephone: [351] (1) 727-3300
Diplomatic representation in the US [time series]
chief of mission: Ambassador Fernando Antonio de Lacerda ANDRESEN GUIMARAES chancery: 2125 Kalorama Road NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: [1] (202) 328-8610
Executive branch [time series]
chief of state: President Jorge SAMPAIO (since 9 March 1996) head of government: Prime Minister Antonio Manuel de Oliviera GUTERRES (since 28 October 1995) cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the president on the recommendation of the prime minister note: there is also a Council of State that acts as a consultative body to the president elections: president elected by popular vote for a five-year term; election last held 14 January 1996 (next to be held NA January 2001); following assembly elections, the leader of the majority party or leader of a majority coalition is usually appointed prime minister by the president election results: Jorge SAMPAIO elected president; percent of vote-Jorge SAMPAIO (Socialist) 53.8%, Anibal CAVACO SILVA (Social Democrat) 46.2%
Diplomatic representation in the US (FAX) [time series]
[1] (202) 462-3726 consulate(s) general: Boston, New York, Newark (New Jersey), and San Francisco consulate(s): Los Angeles, New Bedford (Massachusetts), Providence (Rhode Island)
Diplomatic representation in the US (FAX) [time series]
[351] (1) 726-9109 consulate(s): Ponta Delgada (Azores)
Flag (Flag description) [time series]
two vertical bands of green (hoist side, two-fifths) and red (three-fifths) with the Portuguese coat of arms centered on the dividing line
Government type [time series]
parliamentary democracy
Independence [time series]
1140 (independent republic proclaimed 5 October 1910)
International organization participation [time series]
AfDB, Australia Group, BIS, CCC, CE, CERN, EAPC, EBRD, ECE, ECLAC, EIB, EU, FAO, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IEA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, Inmarsat, Intelsat, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ISO, ITU, LAIA (observer), MINURSO, MONUA, MTCR, NAM (guest), NATO, NEA, NSG, OAS (observer), OECD, OSCE, PCA, UN, UN Security Council (temporary), UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNMIBH, UNMOP, UNPREDEP, UPU, WCL, WEU, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO, ZC
Judicial branch [time series]
Supreme Court or Supremo Tribunal de Justica, judges appointed for life by the Conselho Superior da Magistratura
Legal system [time series]
civil law system; the Constitutional Tribunal reviews the constitutionality of legislation; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction, with reservations
Legislative branch [time series]
unicameral Assembly of the Republic or Assembleia da Republica (230 seats; members are elected by popular vote to serve four-year terms) elections: last held 1 October 1995 (next to be held by NA October 1999) election results: percent of vote by party-PSD 34.0%, PS 43.8%, CDU 8.6%, CDS/PP 9.1%; seats by party-PSD 88, PS 112, CDU 15, CDS/PP 15
Capital (National capital) [time series]
Lisbon
National holiday [time series]
Day of Portugal, 10 June (1580)
Political parties (Political parties and leaders) [time series]
Social Democratic Party or PSD [Marcelo Rebelo DE SOUSA]; Portuguese Socialist Party or PS [Antonio GUTERRES]; Portuguese Communist Party or PCP [Carlos CARVALHAS]; Popular Party or PP (formerly known as Center Democratic Party or CDS) [Rebelo DE SOUSA]; National Solidarity Party or PSN [Manuel SERGIO]; United Democratic Coalition or CDU (communists; includes the PCP and a number of small leftist groups)
Suffrage [time series]
18 years of age; universal
Military
Military and security forces (Military branches) [time series]
Army, Navy (includes Marines), Air Force, National Republican Guard, Fiscal Guard, Public Security Police
Military expenditures - dollar figure (Military expenditures-dollar figure) [time series]
$2.07 billion (1996)
Military expenditures (Military expenditures-percent of GDP) [time series]
1.9% (1996)
Military manpower - availability (Military manpower-availability) [time series]
males age 15-49: 2,545,464 (1998 est.)
Military manpower - fit for military service (Military manpower-fit for military service) [time series]
males: 2,048,310 (1998 est.)
Military manpower - military age (Military manpower-military age) [time series]
20 years of age
Military manpower - reaching military age annually (Military manpower-reaching military age annually) [time series]
males: 76,870 (1998 est.)
People
Age structure [time series]
0-14 years: 17% (male 881,091; female 834,775) 15-64 years: 68% (male 3,283,273; female 3,429,233) 65 years and over: 15% (male 612,221; female 886,963) (July 1998 est.)
Birth rate [time series]
10.63 births/1,000 population (1998 est.)
Death rate [time series]
10.26 deaths/1,000 population (1998 est.)
Ethnic groups [time series]
homogeneous Mediterranean stock in mainland, Azores, Madeira Islands; citizens of black African descent who immigrated to mainland during decolonization number less than 100,000
Infant mortality rate [time series]
6.87 deaths/1,000 live births (1998 est.)
Languages [time series]
Portuguese
Life expectancy at birth [time series]
total population: 75.66 years male: 72.27 years female: 79.25 years (1998 est.)
Literacy [time series]
definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 85% male: 89% female: 82% (1990 est.)
Nationality [time series]
noun: Portuguese (singular and plural) adjective: Portuguese
Net migration rate [time series]
-1.01 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1998 est.)
Population [time series]
9,927,556 (July 1998 est.)
Population growth rate [time series]
-0.07% (1998 est.)
Religions [time series]
Roman Catholic 97%, Protestant denominations 1%, other 2%
Sex ratio [time series]
at birth: 1.06 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.06 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 0.96 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.69 male(s)/female (1998 est.)
Total fertility rate [time series]
1.35 children born/woman (1998 est.)
Transnational Issues
Disputes - international (Disputes-international) [time series]
sovereignty over Timor Timur (East Timor province) disputed with Indonesia and not recognized by the UN
Illicit drugs [time series]
important gateway country for Latin American cocaine entering the European market; transshipment point for hashish from North Africa to Europe; consumer of Southwest Asian heroin PUERTO RICO (commonwealth associated with the US)
Transportation
Airports [time series]
69 (1997 est.)
Airports - with paved runways (Airports-with paved runways) [time series]
total: 41 over 3,047 m: 5 2,438 to 3,047 m: 8 1,524 to 2,437 m: 4 914 to 1,523 m: 18 under 914 m: 6 (1997 est.)
Airports - with unpaved runways (Airports-with unpaved runways) [time series]
total: 28 914 to 1,523 m: 1 under 914 m: 27 (1997 est.)
Roadways (Highways) [time series]
total: 68,732 km paved: 59,110 km (including 687 km of expressways) unpaved: 9,622 km (1995 est.)
Merchant marine [time series]
total: 107 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 736,478 GRT/1,139,180 DWT ships by type: bulk 8, cargo 60, chemical tanker 10, container 6, liquefied gas tanker 9, oil tanker 8, refrigerated cargo 1, roll-on/roll-off cargo 2, short-sea passenger 3 note: Portugal has created a captive register on Madeira for Portuguese-owned ships; ships on the Madeira Register (MAR) will have taxation and crewing benefits of a flag of convenience (1997 est.)
Pipelines [time series]
crude oil 22 km; petroleum products 58 km; natural gas 700 km note: the secondary lines for the natural gas pipeline that will be 300 km long have not yet been built
Ports (Ports and harbors) [time series]
Aveiro, Funchal (Madeira Islands), Horta (Azores), Leixoes, Lisbon, Porto, Ponta Delgada (Azores), Praia da Vitoria (Azores), Setubal, Viana do Castelo
Railways [time series]
total: 3,072 km broad gauge: 2,769 km 1.668-m gauge (528 km electrified; 426 km double track) narrow gauge: 303 km 1.000-m gauge (1996)
Waterways [time series]
820 km navigable; relatively unimportant to national economy, used by shallow-draft craft limited to 300 metric-ton cargo capacity