Northern Portugal population grows by 187,000 residents

Northern Portugal has experienced a significant demographic shift, with the population increasing by approximately 187,000 residents between 2021 and 2025. According to data from the Northern Regional Coordination and Development Commission (CCDR-N) and the National Institute of Statistics (INE), the region's population grew by 5.2%, reaching a total of 3,790,554 inhabitants.

This growth was primarily driven by migration, which saw a positive net balance of approximately 235,200 people. This influx was sufficient to offset a negative natural balance. The trend was widespread across the territory, with 83 of the 86 municipalities in the North recording a positive migratory balance, indicating that the ability to attract new residents is no longer confined to major urban centers.

All eight sub-regions of the North reported population growth during this period. Additionally, there has been a notable increase in the working-age population (ages 25 to 64) across all sub-regions, reversing long-term trends of aging and workforce reduction. In areas such as Alto Minho, Cávado, and the Porto Metropolitan Area, there was also growth in the 15-24 age group.