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7 clusters · 22 sources · 70 days · First seen · Last updated

Categories: BUSINESS

Portugal unemployment hits record low, youth joblessness up

Entities: Instituto Nacional de Estatística (INE) · Portugal

Overview

Portugal’s labour market kept tightening through mid‑2026. By May, the unemployment register fell to 274,766 – an 8.7 % year‑on‑year drop – and the unemployment rate slipped to 5.5 %, the lowest since December 2001. Long‑term unemployment fell 12.9 %, while the inactive population reached a record low of 29.6 %. Vacancies rose 7.6 % to 17,703 and average gross wages climbed to €1,610, with Lisbon at €1,875.31. Employment hit a record 5.37 million workers and the employment rate rose to 66.5 %, the highest since 1998. Youth unemployment (ages 16‑24) rose 11.1 %, adding roughly 7,400 job‑seekers, highlighting a divergence in an otherwise strong market. Parliamentary debate continued over compulsory social‑solidarity work and a single welfare benefit linked to community service. June 2026 data showed mainland unemployment at 255,735 – down 12 % year‑on‑year and 6.6 % from May – and couples in which both partners were unemployed fell 11.4 % year‑on‑year to 4,181, marking five consecutive months of decline since February. The unemployment rate held at 5.6 % in June, unchanged from May and 0.4 percentage points below the same month a year earlier, the lowest level since February 2002. Under‑utilisation fell to 9.3 %, the lowest since the series began in 2011. Female unemployment was 6.3 % versus 4.9 % for men; youth unemployment surged to 18.9 %. 2025 figures released in July revealed a 30 % drop in Portuguese employers participating in the lay‑off scheme, falling to 943 from 1,351 in 2024, and a 17.3 % reduction in lay‑off beneficiaries (about 4,500 fewer). Women made up 54.2 % of remaining beneficiaries. Temporary work suspensions covered roughly 11,300 people, down 12 % year‑on‑year, while reduced‑hour arrangements affected about 12,900 workers, a 14.6 % decline.

Timeline

  1. 1 day ago

    [BUSINESS] 5 sources
    Portugal unemployment rate holds at 5.6% in June

    Portugal's unemployment rate stayed at 5.6% in June 2026, matching May and marking the lowest level since 2002, while youth unemployment hit 18.9%.

  2. 9 days ago

    [BUSINESS] 6 sources
    Portugal sees 30% drop in employers on lay‑off scheme in 2025

    Portugal's lay‑off scheme fell 30% in 2025, with 943 employers, 17% fewer beneficiaries and a rise in collective dismissals.

  3. 10 days ago

    [BUSINESS] 5 sources
    Portugal sees 11.4% drop in unemployed couples to 4,181 in June

    Portugal's IEFP reports a 11.4% YoY decline in unemployed couples to 4,181 in June 2026, with overall mainland unemployment down 12% YoY.

  4. about 1 month ago

    [BUSINESS] 2 sources
    Portugal’s economy rebounds: GDP growth forecast and unemployment drops to 5.5%

    Portugal’s June barometer expects GDP growth in Q2 2026 while May unemployment fell to 5.5%, the lowest since 2001.

  5. about 1 month ago

    [BUSINESS] 5 sources
    Portugal unemployment drops 8.7% in May, Madeira hits 23‑year low

    Portugal's unemployment fell 8.7% YoY to 274,766 in May 2026, with Madeira reaching a 23‑year low of 5,360 jobless; vacancies and placements also declined.

  6. about 1 month ago

    [BUSINESS] 2 sources
    Portugal sees 4% drop in collective layoffs to 192 cases by April, DGERT reports

    DGERT reports 192 collective dismissals by April, a 4% fall, with 2,311 workers actually let go—a 5.7% drop—led by Lisbon region.

  7. 2 months ago

    [BUSINESS] 4 sources
    Portugal unemployment registrations drop 9.7% in April, IEFP reports

    Portugal's registered unemployed fell 9.7% in April to 283,290, with job offers also decreasing.

Sources

acorianooriental.pt · cmjornal.pt · conjur.com.br · cronicadecantabria.com · de.sapo.pt · dinheirovivo.pt · dnoticias.pt · dobrapraxe.cz · eco.sapo.pt · economico · hrportugal.sapo.pt · jornaldenegocios.pt · jornaleconomico.sapo.pt · komercnespravy.pravda.sk · listakrzystka.pl · meaningoflife.com · observador.pt · recordeuropa.com · rr.pt · sapo.pt · seucreditodigital.com.br · sportmediaset.com