Immigration is growing in Portugal, but the government is moving forward with an anti-immigration package, ignoring data that shows its positive impact on the population.
The Portuguese government has presented an anti-immigration package to Parliament, which is expected to be approved soon. However, recent data from the National Statistics Institute (INE) reveals that immigration is essential for the country's population growth. In 2024, the resident population increased by 1.03% , totaling 10.7 million people, with a positive migration balance of 177,000 immigrants arriving, while 34,000 left the country.
This is the sixth consecutive immigration-driven population increase, marking the largest increase since the Carnation Revolution in 1974. The demographic situation is worrying, as approximately 25% of the population is over 65 , while the age range of children between 10 and 14 is small. This dynamic limits the active workforce and the country's competitiveness, hindering the expansion of companies and the creation of new businesses.
Importance of Immigration
Immigrant labor, especially Brazilian, has been crucial in mitigating demographic decline. The Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) indicates that Portugal's labor force grew 0.7% between 2020 and 2024, with immigration being the main driver of this increase. Without the contribution of immigrants, the available labor force would have decreased by 0.1% .
Portugal ranks sixth in Europe in terms of foreign labor market contributions. Portugal's reliance on immigration to sustain population growth and workforce growth raises questions about the government's immigration policies, which appear to run counter to the country's demographic reality.
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