ARCHIVE // PT // 2024
Portugal
2024 Edition — sovereign
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Communications
Broadband - fixed subscriptions
[time series]
total: 4,160,795 (2020 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 41 (2020 est.)
Broadcast media
[time series]
Radio e Televisao de Portugal, the publicly owned TV broadcaster, operates 4 domestic channels and external service channels to Africa; overall, roughly 40 domestic TV stations; viewers have widespread access to international broadcasters with more than half of all households connected to multi-channel cable or satellite TV systems; publicly owned radio operates 3 national networks and provides regional and external services; several privately owned national radio stations and some 300 regional and local commercial radio stations
Internet country code
[time series]
.pt
Internet users
[time series]
total: 8.2 million (2021 est.) percent of population: 82% (2021 est.)
Telecommunication systems
[time series]
general assessment: Portugal has a medium-sized telecom market with a strong mobile sector and a growing broadband customer base; before the pandemic, the country had seen improving economic growth, following several years of austerity measures; revenue among some operators remains under pressure, though investments in network upgrades are continuing in an effort to attract customers to high-end services; Portugal s broadband services have grown steadily in recent years, largely the result of joint efforts between the regulator and the key market operators which have invested in significant infrastructure upgrades; these operators are focused on fiber-based services, resulting in a migration of subscribers from digital subscriber line DSL infrastructure; the government has also supported open-access wholesale networks; the mobile virtual network operator (MVNO) market remains largely undeveloped, partly because network operators have their own low-cost brands; collectively, MVNOs have about 2.9% share of the market; population coverage by 3G infrastructure is universal, and most investment in the sector is being directed to LTE and 5G technologies; the MNOs have trialed 5G and are looking to launch commercial services (2021) domestic: fixed-lineis 52 per 100 persons and mobile-cellular is 121 per 100 persons (2021) international: country code - 351; landing points for the Ella Link, BUGIO, EIG, SAT-3/WASC, SeaMeWe-3, Equino, MainOne, Tat TGN-Western Europe, WACS, ACE, Atlantis2 and Columbus-III submarine cables provide connectivity to Europe, Africa, the Middle East, Asia, Southeast Asia, Australia, South America and the US; satellite earth stations - 3 Intelsat (2 Atlantic Ocean and 1 Indian Ocean), NA Eutelsat; tropospheric scatter to Azores (2019)
Telephones - fixed lines
[time series]
total subscriptions: 5.437 million (2022 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 53 (2022 est.)
Telephones - mobile cellular
[time series]
total subscriptions: 12.792 million (2022 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 125 (2022 est.)
Economy
Agricultural products
[time series]
milk, tomatoes, grapes, olives, maize, oranges, pork, potatoes, chicken, apples (2022) note: top ten agricultural products based on tonnage
Average household expenditures
[time series]
on food: 17.6% of household expenditures (2022 est.) on alcohol and tobacco: 3.4% of household expenditures (2022 est.)
Budget
[time series]
revenues: $99.473 billion (2022 est.) expenditures: $100.796 billion (2022 est.) note: central government revenues (excluding grants) and expenses converted to US dollars at average official exchange rate for year indicated
Credit ratings
[time series]
Fitch rating: BBB (2007) Moody's rating: Baa3 (2018) Standard & Poors rating: BBB (2019) note: The year refers to the year in which the current credit rating was first obtained.
Current account balance
[time series]
$3.974 billion (2023 est.) -$3.108 billion (2022 est.) -$2.987 billion (2021 est.) note: balance of payments - net trade and primary/secondary income in current dollars
Economic overview
[time series]
high-income EU and eurozone economy; strong services sector led by tourism and banking; tight labor market; private consumption and export recovery driving post-inflation rebound; EU Recovery and Resilience Plan (RRP) funds a key driver of public investment; high public debt but improving fiscal position
Exchange rates
[time series]
euros (EUR) per US dollar - 0.925 (2023 est.) 0.95 (2022 est.) 0.845 (2021 est.) 0.876 (2020 est.) 0.893 (2019 est.)
Exports
[time series]
$136.589 billion (2023 est.) $126.541 billion (2022 est.) $105.648 billion (2021 est.) note: balance of payments - exports of goods and services in current dollars
Exports - commodities
[time series]
cars, garments, refined petroleum, vehicle parts/accessories, plastic products (2022) note: top five export commodities based on value in dollars
Exports - partners
[time series]
Spain 25%, France 12%, Germany 11%, US 7%, UK 5% (2022) note: top five export partners based on percentage share of exports
GDP (official exchange rate)
[time series]
$287.08 billion (2023 est.) note: data in current dollars at official exchange rate
GDP - composition, by end use
[time series]
household consumption: 62.6% (2023 est.) government consumption: 17% (2023 est.) investment in fixed capital: 19.4% (2023 est.) investment in inventories: 0.2% (2023 est.) exports of goods and services: 47.4% (2023 est.) imports of goods and services: -46.6% (2023 est.) note: figures may not total 100% due to rounding or gaps in data collection
GDP - composition, by sector of origin
[time series]
agriculture: 2% (2023 est.) industry: 18% (2023 est.) services: 67% (2023 est.) note: figures may not total 100% due to non-allocated consumption not captured in sector-reported data
Gini Index coefficient - distribution of family income
[time series]
34.6 (2021 est.) note: index (0-100) of income distribution; higher values represent greater inequality
Household income or consumption by percentage share
[time series]
lowest 10%: 2.8% (2021 est.) highest 10%: 27.6% (2021 est.) note: % share of income accruing to lowest and highest 10% of population
Imports
[time series]
$133.006 billion (2023 est.) $131.627 billion (2022 est.) $112.413 billion (2021 est.) note: balance of payments - imports of goods and services in current dollars
Imports - commodities
[time series]
crude petroleum, cars, refined petroleum, natural gas, vehicle parts/accessories (2022) note: top five import commodities based on value in dollars
Imports - partners
[time series]
Spain 31%, Germany 11%, France 6%, China 5%, Italy 5% (2022) note: top five import partners based on percentage share of imports
Industrial production growth rate
[time series]
-1.13% (2023 est.) note: annual % change in industrial value added based on constant local currency
Industries
[time series]
textiles, clothing, footwear, wood and cork, paper and pulp, chemicals, fuels and lubricants, automobiles and auto parts, base metals, minerals, porcelain and ceramics, glassware, technology, telecommunications; dairy products, wine, other foodstuffs; ship construction and refurbishment; tourism, plastics, financial services, optics
Inflation rate (consumer prices)
[time series]
4.31% (2023 est.) 7.83% (2022 est.) 1.27% (2021 est.) note: annual % change based on consumer prices
Labor force
[time series]
5.419 million (2023 est.) note: number of people ages 15 or older who are employed or seeking work
Population below poverty line
[time series]
16.4% (2021 est.) note: % of population with income below national poverty line
Public debt
[time series]
125.7% of GDP (2017 est.) note: data cover general government debt and include debt instruments issued (or owned) by government entities other than the treasury; the data include treasury debt held by foreign entities; the data include debt issued by subnational entities, as well as intragovernmental debt; intragovernmental debt consists of treasury borrowings from surpluses in the social funds, such as for retirement, medical care, and unemployment; debt instruments for the social funds are not sold at public auctions
Real GDP (purchasing power parity)
[time series]
$439.008 billion (2023 est.) $429.3 billion (2022 est.) $401.863 billion (2021 est.) note: data in 2021 dollars
Real GDP growth rate
[time series]
2.26% (2023 est.) 6.83% (2022 est.) 5.74% (2021 est.) note: annual GDP % growth based on constant local currency
Real GDP per capita
[time series]
$41,700 (2023 est.) $41,200 (2022 est.) $38,800 (2021 est.) note: data in 2021 dollars
Remittances
[time series]
0.47% of GDP (2023 est.) 0.38% of GDP (2022 est.) 0.3% of GDP (2021 est.) note: personal transfers and compensation between resident and non-resident individuals/households/entities
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold
[time series]
$35.243 billion (2023 est.) $32.232 billion (2022 est.) $32.535 billion (2021 est.) note: holdings of gold (year-end prices)/foreign exchange/special drawing rights in current dollars
Taxes and other revenues
[time series]
23.05% (of GDP) (2022 est.) note: central government tax revenue as a % of GDP
Unemployment rate
[time series]
6.49% (2023 est.) 6.01% (2022 est.) 6.58% (2021 est.) note: % of labor force seeking employment
Youth unemployment rate (ages 15-24)
[time series]
total: 20.2% (2023 est.) male: 20.6% (2023 est.) female: 19.9% (2023 est.) note: % of labor force ages 15-24 seeking employment
Energy
Carbon dioxide emissions
[time series]
42.562 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2022 est.) from coal and metallurgical coke: 40,000 metric tonnes of CO2 (2022 est.) from petroleum and other liquids: 31.394 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2022 est.) from consumed natural gas: 11.128 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2022 est.)
Coal
[time series]
consumption: 9,000 metric tons (2022 est.) exports: 200 metric tons (2022 est.) imports: 23,000 metric tons (2022 est.) proven reserves: 3 million metric tons (2022 est.)
Electricity
[time series]
installed generating capacity: 23.316 million kW (2022 est.) consumption: 50.255 billion kWh (2022 est.) exports: 3.062 billion kWh (2022 est.) imports: 12.314 billion kWh (2022 est.) transmission/distribution losses: 4.54 billion kWh (2022 est.)
Electricity access
[time series]
electrification - total population: 100% (2022 est.)
Electricity generation sources
[time series]
fossil fuels: 42.1% of total installed capacity (2022 est.) solar: 7.4% of total installed capacity (2022 est.) wind: 28.8% of total installed capacity (2022 est.) hydroelectricity: 12.8% of total installed capacity (2022 est.) geothermal: 0.4% of total installed capacity (2022 est.) biomass and waste: 8.6% of total installed capacity (2022 est.)
Energy consumption per capita
[time series]
80.316 million Btu/person (2022 est.)
Natural gas
[time series]
consumption: 5.515 billion cubic meters (2022 est.) imports: 5.97 billion cubic meters (2022 est.)
Petroleum
[time series]
total petroleum production: 8,000 bbl/day (2023 est.) refined petroleum consumption: 212,000 bbl/day (2023 est.)
Environment
Air pollutants
[time series]
particulate matter emissions: 7.34 micrograms per cubic meter (2019 est.) carbon dioxide emissions: 48.74 megatons (2016 est.) methane emissions: 10.93 megatons (2020 est.)
Climate
[time series]
maritime temperate; cool and rainy in north, warmer and drier in south
Environment - current issues
[time series]
soil erosion; air pollution caused by industrial and vehicle emissions; water pollution, especially in urban centers and coastal areas
International environmental agreements
(Environment - international agreements)
[time series]
party to: Air Pollution, Air Pollution-Heavy Metals, Air Pollution-Multi-effect Protocol, Antarctic-Environmental Protection, Antarctic Treaty, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Climate Change-Paris Agreement, Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping-London Convention, Marine Life Conservation, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 2006, Wetlands, Whaling signed, but not ratified: Air Pollution-Persistent Organic Pollutants, Air Pollution-Volatile Organic Compounds, Environmental Modification, Nuclear Test Ban
Geoparks
[time series]
total global geoparks and regional networks: 6 (2024) global geoparks and regional networks: A ores; Arouca; Estrela; Naturtejo da Meseta Meridional; Oeste; Terras de Cavaleiros (2024)
Land use
[time series]
agricultural land: 39.7% (2018 est.) arable land: 11.9% (2018 est.) permanent crops: 7.8% (2018 est.) permanent pasture: 20% (2018 est.) forest: 37.8% (2018 est.) other: 22.5% (2018 est.)
Revenue from coal
[time series]
0% of GDP (2018 est.)
Revenue from forest resources
[time series]
0.13% of GDP (2018 est.)
Total renewable water resources
[time series]
77.4 billion cubic meters (2020 est.)
Total water withdrawal
[time series]
municipal: 880 million cubic meters (2020 est.) industrial: 1.83 billion cubic meters (2020 est.) agricultural: 3.42 billion cubic meters (2020 est.)
Urbanization
[time series]
urban population: 67.9% of total population (2023) rate of urbanization: 0.44% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.)
Waste and recycling
[time series]
municipal solid waste generated annually: 4.71 million tons (2014 est.) municipal solid waste recycled annually: 764,433 tons (2014 est.) percent of municipal solid waste recycled: 16.2% (2014 est.)
Geography
Area
[time series]
total : 92,090 sq km land: 91,470 sq km water: 620 sq km note: includes Azores and Madeira Islands
Area - comparative
[time series]
slightly smaller than Virginia
Climate
[time series]
maritime temperate; cool and rainy in north, warmer and drier in south
Coastline
[time series]
1,793 km
Elevation
[time series]
highest point: Ponta do Pico (Pico or Pico Alto) on Ilha do Pico in the Azores 2,351 m lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m mean elevation: 372 m
Geographic coordinates
[time series]
39 30 N, 8 00 W
Geography - note
[time series]
Azores and Madeira Islands occupy strategic locations along western sea approaches to Strait of Gibraltar; they are two of the four North Atlantic archipelagos that make up Macaronesia; the others are the Canary Islands (Spain) and Cabo Verde
Irrigated land
[time series]
5,662 sq km (2019)
Land boundaries
[time series]
total: 1,224 km border countries (1): Spain 1,224 km
Land use
[time series]
agricultural land: 39.7% (2018 est.) arable land: 11.9% (2018 est.) permanent crops: 7.8% (2018 est.) permanent pasture: 20% (2018 est.) forest: 37.8% (2018 est.) other: 22.5% (2018 est.)
Location
[time series]
Southwestern Europe, bordering the North Atlantic Ocean, west of Spain
Map references
[time series]
Europe
Maritime claims
[time series]
territorial sea: 12 nm contiguous zone: 24 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm continental shelf: 200-m depth or to the depth of exploitation
Natural hazards
[time series]
Azores subject to severe earthquakes volcanism: limited volcanic activity in the Azores Islands; Fayal or Faial (1,043 m) last erupted in 1958; most volcanoes have not erupted in centuries; historically active volcanoes include Agua de Pau, Furnas, Pico, Picos Volcanic System, San Jorge, Sete Cidades, and Terceira
Natural resources
[time series]
fish, forests (cork), iron ore, copper, zinc, tin, tungsten, silver, gold, uranium, marble, clay, gypsum, salt, arable land, hydropower
Population distribution
[time series]
concentrations are primarily along or near the Atlantic coast; both Lisbon and the second largest city, Porto, are coastal cities
Terrain
[time series]
the west-flowing Tagus River divides the country: the north is mountainous toward the interior, while the south is characterized by rolling plains
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 (Lisbon), Madeira*, Portalegre, Porto, Santarem, Setubal, Viana do Castelo, Vila Real, Viseu
Capital
[time series]
name: Lisbon geographic coordinates: 38 43 N, 9 08 W time difference: UTC 0 (5 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time) daylight saving time: +1hr, begins last Sunday in March; ends last Sunday in October time zone note: Portugal has two time zones, including the Azores (UTC-1) etymology: Lisbon is one of Europe's oldest cities (the second oldest capital city after Athens) and the origin of the name is lost in time; it may have been founded as an ancient Celtic settlement that subsequently maintained close commercial relations with the Phoenicians (beginning about 1200 B.C.); the name of the settlement may have been derived from the pre-Roman appellation for the Tagus River that runs through the city, Lisso or Lucio; the Romans named the city "Olisippo" when they took it from the Carthaginians in 205 B.C.; under the Visigoths the city name became "Ulixbona," under the Arabs it was "al-Ushbuna"; the medieval version of "Lissabona" became today's Lisboa
Citizenship
[time series]
citizenship by birth: no citizenship by descent only: at least one parent must be a citizen of Portugal dual citizenship recognized: yes residency requirement for naturalization: 10 years; 6 years if from a Portuguese-speaking country
Constitution
[time series]
history: several previous; latest adopted 2 April 1976, effective 25 April 1976 amendments: proposed by the Assembly of the Republic; adoption requires two-thirds majority vote of Assembly members; amended several times, last in 2005
Country name
[time series]
conventional long form: Portuguese Republic conventional short form: Portugal local long form: Republica Portuguesa local short form: Portugal etymology: name derives from the Roman designation "Portus Cale" meaning "Port of Cale"; Cale was an ancient Celtic town and port in present-day northern Portugal
Diplomatic representation from the US
[time series]
chief of mission: Ambassador Randi Charno LEVINE (since 22 April 2022) embassy: Avenida das Forcas Armadas, 1600-081 Lisboa mailing address: 5320 Lisbon Place, Washington DC 20521-5320 telephone: [351] (21) 727-3300 FAX: [351] (21) 726-9109 email address and website: conslisbon@state.gov https://pt.usembassy.gov/ consulate(s): Ponta Delgada (Azores)
Diplomatic representation in the US
[time series]
chief of mission: Ambassador Francisco Antonio DUARTE LOPES (since 7 June 2022) chancery: 2012 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20036 telephone: [1] (202) 350-5400 FAX: [1] (202) 462-3726 email address and website: info.washington@mne.pt https://washingtondc.embaixadaportugal.mne.gov.pt/en/ consulate(s) general: Boston, Newark (NJ), New York, San Francisco consulate(s): New Bedford (MA), Providence (RI)
Executive branch
[time series]
chief of state: President Marcelo REBELO DE SOUSA (since 9 March 2016) head of government: Prime Minister Antonio Luis MONTENEGRO (since 2 April 2024) cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the president on the recommendation of the prime minister elections/appointments: president directly elected by absolute majority popular vote in 2 rounds if needed for a 5-year term (eligible for a second term); election last held on 24 January 2021 (next to be held in January 2026); following legislative elections the leader of the majority party or majority coalition is usually appointed prime minister by the president election results: 2021: Marcelo REBELO DE SOUSA reelected president in the first round; percent of vote - Marcelo REBELO DE SOUSA (PSD) 60.7%, Ana GOMES (ran as an independent but is a member of PS) 13%, Andre VENTURA (CH) 11.9%, Jo o FERREIRA (PCP-PEV) 4.3%, other 10.1% 2016: Marcelo REBELO DE SOUSA elected president in the first round; percent of vote - Marcelo REBELO DE SOUSA (PSD) 52%, Ant nio SAMPAIO DA NOVOA (independent) 22.9%, Marisa MATIAS (BE) 10.1%, Maria DE BELEM ROSEIRA (PS) 4.2%, other 10.8% note: there is also a Council of State that acts as a consultative body to the president
Flag
(Flag description)
[time series]
two vertical bands of green (hoist side, two-fifths) and red (three-fifths) with the national coat of arms (armillary sphere and Portuguese shield) centered on the dividing line; explanations for the color meanings are ambiguous, but a popular interpretation has green symbolizing hope and red the blood of those defending the nation
Government type
[time series]
semi-presidential republic
Independence
[time series]
1143 (Kingdom of Portugal recognized); 1 December 1640 (independence reestablished following 60 years of Spanish rule); 5 October 1910 (republic proclaimed)
International law organization participation
[time series]
accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction with reservations; accepts ICCt jurisdiction
International organization participation
[time series]
ADB (nonregional member), AfDB (nonregional member), Australia Group, BIS, CD, CE, CERN, CPLP, EAPC, EBRD, ECB, EIB, EMU, ESA, EU, FAO, FATF, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC (national committees), ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IEA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, ITUC (NGOs), LAIA (observer), MIGA, NATO, NEA, NSG, OAS (observer), OECD, OPCW, OSCE, Pacific Alliance (observer), Paris Club (associate), PCA, Schengen Convention, SELEC (observer), UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, Union Latina, UNOOSA, UNWTO, UPU, Wassenaar Arrangement, WCO, WFTU (NGOs), WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO, ZC
Judicial branch
[time series]
highest court(s): Supreme Court or Supremo Tribunal de Justica (consists of 12 justices); Constitutional Court or Tribunal Constitucional (consists of 13 judges) judge selection and term of office: Supreme Court justices nominated by the president and appointed by the Assembly of the Republic; judges can serve for life; Constitutional Court judges - 10 elected by the Assembly and 3 elected by the other Constitutional Court judges; judges elected for 6-year nonrenewable terms subordinate courts: Supreme Administrative Court (Supremo Tribunal Administrativo); Audit Court (Tribunal de Contas); appellate, district, and municipal courts
Legal system
[time series]
civil law system; Constitutional Court review of legislative acts
Legislative branch
[time series]
description: unicameral Assembly of the Republic or Assembleia da Republica (230 seats; 226 members directly elected in multi-seat constituencies by closed-list proportional representation vote and 4 members - 2 each in 2 constituencies representing Portuguese living abroad - directly elected by proportional representation vote; members serve 4-year terms) elections: last held on 10 March 2024 (next to be held on 30 September 2028); note - early elections were called after Prime Minister Antonio Luis Santos da COSTA resigned on 7 November 2023 election results: percent of vote by party - AD (PSD, CDS-PP, PPM) 28.8%, PS, 28%, Enough 18.1%, IL 4.9%, BE 4.4%, L 3.2%, CDU 3.2%, other 9.4%; seats by party - AD (PSD, CDS-PP, PPM) 80, PS 78, Enough 50, IL 8, BE 5, L 4, CDU 4, other 1; composition - men 155, women 75, percentage women 32.6%
National anthem(s)
(National anthem)
[time series]
name: "A Portugesa" (The Song of the Portuguese) lyrics/music: Henrique LOPES DE MENDOCA/Alfredo KEIL note: adopted 1910; "A Portuguesa" was originally written to protest the Portuguese monarchy's acquiescence to the 1890 British ultimatum forcing Portugal to give up areas of Africa; the lyrics refer to the "insult" that resulted from the event
National heritage
[time series]
total World Heritage Sites: 17 (16 cultural, 1 natural) selected World Heritage Site locales: Historic vora (c); Central Zone of the Town of Angra do Heroismo in the Azores (c); Cultural Landscape of Sintra (c); Laurisilva of Madeira (n); Historic Guimar es (c); Monastery of the Hieronymites and Tower of Bel m in Lisbon (c); Convent of Christ in Tomar (c); Prehistoric Rock Art Sites in the C a Valley and Siega Verde (c); University of Coimbra Alta and Sofia (c); Sanctuary of Bom Jesus do Monte in Braga (c)
National holiday
[time series]
Portugal Day (Dia de Portugal), 10 June (1580); note - also called Camoes Day, the day that revered national poet Luis DE CAMOES (1524-80) died
National symbol(s)
[time series]
armillary sphere (a spherical astrolabe modeling objects in the sky and representing the Republic); national colors: red, green
Political parties
[time series]
Democratic Alliance or AD (2024 electoral alliance in the Azores, includes PSD, CDS-PP, PPM) Democratic and Social Center/People's Party (Partido do Centro Democratico Social-Partido Popular) or CDS-PP Ecologist Party "The Greens" or "Os Verdes" (Partido Ecologista-Os Verdes) or PEV Enough (Chega) Liberal Initiative (Iniciativa Liberal) or IL LIVRE or L People-Animals-Nature Party (Pessoas-Animais-Natureza) or PAN People's Monarchist Party or PPM Portuguese Communist Party (Partido Comunista Portugues) or PCP Social Democratic Party (Partido Social Democrata) or PSD (formerly the Partido Popular Democratico or PPD) Socialist Party (Partido Socialista) or PS The Left Bloc (Bloco de Esquerda) or BE or O Bloco Unitary Democratic Coalition (Coligacao Democratica Unitaria) or CDU (includes PCP and PEV) (2024)
Suffrage
[time series]
18 years of age; universal
Introduction
Background
[time series]
A global maritime power during the 15th and 16th centuries, Portugal lost much of its wealth and status with the destruction of Lisbon in a 1755 earthquake, occupation during the Napoleonic Wars, and the independence of Brazil, its wealthiest colony, in 1822. A revolution deposed the monarchy in 1910, and for most of the next six decades, repressive governments ran the country. In 1974, a left-wing military coup ushered in broad democratic reforms. The following year, Portugal granted independence to all its African colonies. Portugal is a founding member of NATO and entered the EC (now the EU) in 1986.
Military and Security
Military - note
[time series]
the Portuguese military is an all-volunteer force with the primary responsibilities of external defense, humanitarian operations, and fulfilling Portugal s commitments to European and international security; maritime security has long been a key component of the military's portfolio, and Portugal has one of the world's oldest navies Portugal was one of the original signers of the North Atlantic Treaty (also known as the Washington Treaty) in 1949 establishing NATO, and the Alliance forms a key pillar of Portugal s defense policy; Portugal is also a signatory of the EU s Common Security and Defense Policy, and it regularly participates in a variety of EU, NATO, and UN deployments around the world; the military s largest commitments include air, ground, and naval forces under NATO-led missions and standing task forces in the Baltics, Eastern Europe, and the Mediterranean Sea; the military also participates regularly in exercises with NATO partners (2024)
Military and security forces
[time series]
Portuguese Armed Forces (For as Armadas Portuguesa): Portuguese Army (Exercito Portuguesa), Portuguese Navy (Marinha Portuguesa; includes Marine Corps, aka Corpo de Fuzileiros or Corps of Fusiliers), Portuguese Air Force (Forca Aerea Portuguesa, FAP) Ministry of Internal Administration: Foreigners and Borders Service, Public Security Service, National Republican Guard (Guarda Nacional Republicana, GNR) (2024) note: the Foreigners and Borders Service has jurisdiction over immigration and border matters, the Public Security Police has jurisdiction in cities, and the GNR has jurisdiction in rural areas; the GNR is a national gendarmerie force comprised of military personnel with law enforcement, internal security, civil defense, disaster response, and coast guard duties; it is responsible to both the Ministry of Internal Administration and to the Ministry of National Defense; it is not part of the Armed Forces, but may be placed under the operational command of the Chief of the General Staff of the Armed Forces in the event of a national emergency; the GNR describes itself as a hinge between the Armed Forces and the police forces and other security services
Military and security service personnel strengths
[time series]
approximately 28,000 active-duty personnel (15,000 Army; 7,000 Navy, including about 1,000 marines; 6,000 Air Force); 24,500 National Republican Guard (military personnel) (2024)
Military deployments
[time series]
the Portuguese Armed Forces have more than 1,100 military personnel deployed around the world engaged in missions supporting the EU, NATO, the UN, and partner nations; key deployments include 225 troops in the Central African Republic (MINUSCA), approximately 220 in Lithuania (NATO), and approximately 150 in Romania (NATO); it also participates in NATO air policing and maritime patrolling operations (2024)
Military equipment inventories and acquisitions
[time series]
the military's inventory includes mostly European- and US-origin weapons systems along with a smaller mix of domestically produced equipment; in recent years, leading foreign suppliers have included Germany and the US; Portugal's defense industry is noted for its shipbuilding (2024) note: in 2023, Portugal announced a modernization program that included the acquisition of land, naval, air, cyber security, and space capabilities, as well as emerging disruptive technologies
Military expenditures
[time series]
1.6% of GDP (2024 est.) 1.5% of GDP (2023) 1.4% of GDP (2022 est.) 1.5% of GDP (2021) 1.4% of GDP (2020)
Military service age and obligation
[time series]
18-30 years of age for voluntary or contract military service; no compulsory military service (abolished 2004) but conscription possible if insufficient volunteers available; women serve in the armed forces but are prohibited from serving in some combatant specialties; contract service lasts for an initial period of 2-6 years, and can be extended to a maximum of 20 years of service; initial voluntary military service lasts 12 months; reserve obligation to age 35 (2023) note: as of 2023, women made up about 14% of the military's full-time personnel
People and Society
Age structure
[time series]
0-14 years: 12.7% (male 662,419/female 631,284) 15-64 years: 65% (male 3,264,766/female 3,371,087) 65 years and over: 22.3% (2024 est.) (male 908,578/female 1,369,043)
Alcohol consumption per capita
[time series]
total: 10.37 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.) beer: 2.62 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.) wine: 6.04 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.) spirits: 1.34 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.) other alcohols: 0.37 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)
Birth rate
[time series]
8 births/1,000 population (2024 est.)
Children under the age of 5 years underweight
[time series]
0.4% (2015/16)
Contraceptive prevalence rate
[time series]
73.9% (2014)
Current health expenditure
[time series]
10.6% of GDP (2020)
Currently married women (ages 15-49)
[time series]
52.6% (2023 est.)
Death rate
[time series]
10.9 deaths/1,000 population (2024 est.)
Dependency ratios
[time series]
total dependency ratio: 56 youth dependency ratio: 20.8 elderly dependency ratio: 35.2 potential support ratio: 2.8 (2021 est.)
Drinking water source
[time series]
improved: urban: 100% of population rural: 99.7% of population total: 99.9% of population unimproved: urban: 0% of population rural: 0.3% of population total: 0.1% of population (2020 est.)
Education expenditure
(Education expenditures)
[time series]
5% of GDP (2020 est.)
Ethnic groups
[time series]
Portuguese 95%; citizens from Portugal s former colonies in Africa, Asia (Han Chinese), and South America (Brazilian) and other foreign born 5%
Gross reproduction rate
[time series]
0.71 (2024 est.)
Hospital bed density
[time series]
3.5 beds/1,000 population (2018)
Infant mortality rate
[time series]
total: 2.4 deaths/1,000 live births (2024 est.) male: 2.8 deaths/1,000 live births female: 2.1 deaths/1,000 live births
Languages
[time series]
Portuguese (official), Mirandese (official, but locally used)
Life expectancy at birth
[time series]
total population: 81.9 years (2024 est.) male: 78.8 years female: 85.2 years
Literacy
[time series]
definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 95.9% male: 97.8% female: 95.9% (2021)
Major urban areas - population
[time series]
3.001 million LISBON (capital), 1.325 million Porto (2023)
Maternal mortality ratio
[time series]
12 deaths/100,000 live births (2020 est.)
Median age
[time series]
total: 46.4 years (2024 est.) male: 44.3 years female: 48.3 years
Mother's mean age at first birth
[time series]
29.9 years (2020 est.)
Nationality
[time series]
noun: Portuguese (singular and plural) adjective: Portuguese
Net migration rate
[time series]
1.5 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2024 est.)
Obesity - adult prevalence rate
[time series]
20.8% (2016)
Physician density
[time series]
5.48 physicians/1,000 population (2019)
Population
[time series]
total: 10,207,177 male: 4,835,763 female: 5,371,414 (2024 est.)
Population distribution
[time series]
concentrations are primarily along or near the Atlantic coast; both Lisbon and the second largest city, Porto, are coastal cities
Population growth rate
[time series]
-0.14% (2024 est.)
Religions
[time series]
Roman Catholic 79.7%, Protestant 2.2%, other Christian 2.5%, other non-Christian, 1.1%, none 14.5% (2021 est.) note: data represent population 15 years of age and older
Sanitation facility access
[time series]
improved: urban: 99.9% of population rural: 100% of population total: 99.9% of population unimproved: urban: 0.1% of population rural: 0% of population total: 0.1% of population (2020 est.)
School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education)
[time series]
total: 17 years male: 17 years female: 17 years (2020)
Sex ratio
[time series]
at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female 0-14 years: 1.05 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 0.97 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.66 male(s)/female total population: 0.9 male(s)/female (2024 est.)
Tobacco use
[time series]
total: 25.4% (2020 est.) male: 30.5% (2020 est.) female: 20.2% (2020 est.)
Total fertility rate
[time series]
1.45 children born/woman (2024 est.)
Urbanization
[time series]
urban population: 67.9% of total population (2023) rate of urbanization: 0.44% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.)
Space
Space agency/agencies
[time series]
Portuguese Space Agency (Ag ncia Espacial Portuguesa; aka Portugal Space; established 2019); Foundation for Science and Technology (FCT; government agency that funds space research established in 2009) (2024)
Space launch site(s)
[time series]
developing a commercial space port on Santa Maria Island in the Azores (first anticipated launch, 2025) (2024)
Space program overview
[time series]
has a national space program which is is integrated within the framework of the European Space Agency (ESA); builds and operates satellites; researches and develops a range of space-related technologies with an emphasis on small/micro/nano satellites for remote sensing (RS), navigational, science/technology, and telecommunications, as well as satellite launch services; in addition to the ESA/EU and their member states, cooperates with the space agencies and industries of a variety of countries, including those of Algeria, Angola, Brazil, China, India, Japan, Morocco, South Korea, and the US, as well as such international organizations and projects as the Europe South Observatory (ESO) and the Square Kilometer Array (SKA) Observatory project; one of the objectives of the country's national space strategy (Portugal Space 2030) is to increase the annual outcome of space related activities in the country to about $500 million by 2030 (2024) note: further details about the key activities, programs, and milestones of the country s space program, as well as government spending estimates on the space sector, appear in the Space Programs reference guide
Terrorism
Terrorist group(s)
[time series]
Islamic State of Iraq and ash-Sham (ISIS) note: details about the history, aims, leadership, organization, areas of operation, tactics, targets, weapons, size, and sources of support of the group(s) appear(s) in the Terrorism reference guide
Transnational Issues
Illicit drugs
[time series]
a European gateway for Southwest Asian heroin; transshipment point for hashish from North Africa to Europe; consumer of Southwest Asian heroin
Refugees and internally displaced persons
[time series]
refugees (country of origin): 59,920 (Ukraine) (as of 31 January 2024) stateless persons: 55 (2022)
Transportation
Airports
[time series]
130 (2024)
Civil aircraft registration country code prefix
[time series]
CR, CS
Heliports
[time series]
63 (2024)
Merchant marine
[time series]
total: 888 (2023) by type: bulk carrier 110, container ship 299, general cargo 191, oil tanker 29, other 259
National air transport system
[time series]
number of registered air carriers: 10 (2020) inventory of registered aircraft operated by air carriers: 168 annual passenger traffic on registered air carriers: 17,367,956 (2018) annual freight traffic on registered air carriers: 454.21 million (2018) mt-km
Pipelines
[time series]
1,344 km gas, 11 km oil, 188 km refined products (2013)
Ports
[time series]
total ports: 18 (2024) large: 3 medium: 2 small: 4 very small: 9 ports with oil terminals: 5 key ports: Aveiro, Funchal, Lagos, Lisboa, Sines
Railways
[time series]
total: 2,526 km (2020) 1,696 km electrified
Roadways
[time series]
total: 11,217 km (2022)
Waterways
[time series]
210 km (2011) (on Douro River from Porto)