Potential labour force (previous ILO definition - ICLS13) in Portugal
Portugal: Potential labour force (previous ILO definition - ICLS13) was 126.82 in 2025. ◆ Volatile
Potential labour force (previous ILO definition - ICLS13) in Portugal, 1998–2025
Source: International Labour Organization.
Analysis
Portugal recorded 126.82 for potential labour force (previous ilo definition - icls13) in 2025.
That represents a change of up 4.7% on the previous year and down 53.9% over ten years.
Over the whole period, potential labour force (previous ilo definition - icls13) in Portugal peaked at 297.11 in 2013 and was at its lowest, 75.69, in 2001.
That places Portugal 44th out of 88 countries with data for 2025, putting it in the middle of the range.
The series is highly variable year to year, so single readings are best treated with caution.
Potential labour force (previous ILO definition - ICLS13) in Portugal, year by year
| Year | Value | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1998 | 97.94 | — |
| 1999 | 77.28 | -21.1% |
| 2000 | 77.6 | +0.4% |
| 2001 | 75.69 | -2.5% |
| 2002 | 79.49 | +5.0% |
| 2003 | 90.47 | +13.8% |
| 2004 | 89.55 | -1.0% |
| 2005 | 81.48 | -9.0% |
| 2006 | 91.16 | +11.9% |
| 2007 | 80.27 | -11.9% |
| 2008 | 79.64 | -0.8% |
| 2009 | 79.49 | -0.2% |
| 2010 | 80.82 | +1.7% |
| 2011 | 189.47 | +134.4% |
| 2012 | 246.82 | +30.3% |
| 2013 | 297.11 | +20.4% |
| 2014 | 292.54 | -1.5% |
| 2015 | 275 | -6.0% |
| 2016 | 251.68 | -8.5% |
| 2017 | 229.99 | -8.6% |
| 2018 | 199.31 | -13.3% |
| 2019 | 185.52 | -6.9% |
| 2020 | 242.44 | +30.7% |
| 2021 | 203.92 | -15.9% |
| 2022 | 156.54 | -23.2% |
| 2023 | 125.51 | -19.8% |
| 2024 | 121.14 | -3.5% |
| 2025 | 126.82 | +4.7% |
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1990s | 87.61 | 77.28 | 97.94 | 2 |
| 2000s | 82.48 | 75.69 | 91.16 | 10 |
| 2010s | 224.82 | 80.82 | 297.11 | 10 |
| 2020s | 162.73 | 121.14 | 242.44 | 6 |
Countries ranked near Portugal
More work & labour data for Portugal
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Total Population - Both sexes, annual -0.0538 % change on previous year (2100)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Total Population - Male, annual growth -0.055 % change on previous year (2100)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Total Population - Female, annual growth -0.0528 % change on previous year (2100)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Rural population, annual growth rate -2.28 % change on previous year (2050)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Urban population, annual growth rate -0.1795 % change on previous year (2050)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Urban population 7,134 1000 No (2050)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Rural population 1,861 1000 No (2050)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Total Population - Female 4,504 1000 No (2100)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Total Population - Male 4,250 1000 No (2100)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Total Population - Both sexes 8,754 1000 No (2100)
Frequently asked questions
- What is potential labour force (previous ilo definition - icls13) in Portugal?
- Potential labour force (previous ilo definition - icls13) in Portugal was 126.82 in 2025, according to International Labour Organization.
- What is the highest potential labour force (previous ilo definition - icls13) recorded in Portugal?
- The highest recorded value was 297.11 in 2013.
- What is the lowest potential labour force (previous ilo definition - icls13) recorded in Portugal?
- The lowest recorded value was 75.69 in 2001.
- How does Portugal rank for potential labour force (previous ilo definition - icls13)?
- Portugal ranks 44th out of 88 countries with data for 2025.
- Is potential labour force (previous ilo definition - icls13) rising or falling in Portugal?
- Over the last ten years it is down 53.9%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this Portugal data come from?
- The figures come from International Labour Organization, published as part of Potential labour force (previous ILO definition - ICLS13) (15+). Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
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About this data
With the aim of promoting international comparability, statistics presented on ILOSTAT are based on standard international definitions wherever feasible and may differ from official national figures. This series is based on the 13th ICLS definitions. For time series comparability, it includes countries that have implemented the 19th ICLS standards, for which data are also available in the Work Statistics -- 19th ICLS (WORK) database. The potential labour force refers to persons not in employment who express an interest in this form of work but for whom existing conditions limit their active job search and/or their availability. This group is used to calculate alternative measures of labour underutilization. Data disaggregated by level of education are provided on the highest level of education completed, classified according to the International Standard Classification of Education (ISCED). Data may have been regrouped from national classifications, which may not be strictly compatible with ISCED. For more information, refer to the Education and Mismatch Indicators (EMI) database description.