Unemployment in Portugal
Portugal: Unemployment was 536 in 2025. ▬ Flat
Unemployment in Portugal, 2004–2025
Source: International Labour Organization.
Analysis
In 2025, unemployment in Portugal stood at 536.
Compared with earlier readings it is down 2.9% on the previous year and down 43.9% over ten years.
Over the whole period, unemployment in Portugal peaked at 1,184 in 2013 and was at its lowest, 495.1, in 2008.
Portugal ranks 18th of 58 countries on this measure, in the middle of the range.
Unemployment in Portugal, year by year
| Year | Value | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2004 | 530.29 | — |
| 2005 | 536.72 | +1.2% |
| 2006 | 546.9 | +1.9% |
| 2007 | 551.92 | +0.9% |
| 2008 | 495.1 | -10.3% |
| 2009 | 728.07 | +47.1% |
| 2010 | 798.21 | +9.6% |
| 2011 | 673.2 | -15.7% |
| 2012 | 1,063 | +57.9% |
| 2013 | 1,184 | +11.4% |
| 2014 | 1,123 | -5.1% |
| 2015 | 955.09 | -15.0% |
| 2016 | 852.9 | -10.7% |
| 2017 | 721.81 | -15.4% |
| 2018 | 666.65 | -7.6% |
| 2019 | 602.98 | -9.6% |
| 2020 | 715.3 | +18.6% |
| 2021 | 634.63 | -11.3% |
| 2022 | 554.18 | -12.7% |
| 2023 | 558.79 | +0.8% |
| 2024 | 552.06 | -1.2% |
| 2025 | 536 | -2.9% |
Portugal compared with similar countries
- Portugal's 536 is above the median for high income countries, which is 266.61, 2.0× the median. (36 countries reporting)
- Portugal's 536 is above the median for Europe & Central Asia, which is 266.61, 2.0× the median. (34 countries reporting)
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2000s | 564.83 | 495.1 | 728.07 | 6 |
| 2010s | 864.1 | 602.98 | 1,184 | 10 |
| 2020s | 591.83 | 536 | 715.3 | 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 unemployment in Portugal?
- Unemployment in Portugal was 536 in 2025, according to International Labour Organization.
- What is the highest unemployment recorded in Portugal?
- The highest recorded value was 1,184 in 2013.
- What is the lowest unemployment recorded in Portugal?
- The lowest recorded value was 495.1 in 2008.
- How does Portugal rank for unemployment?
- Portugal ranks 18th out of 58 countries with data for 2025.
- Is unemployment rising or falling in Portugal?
- Over the last ten years it is down 43.9%. The long-run trend across the full record is flat.
- Where does this Portugal data come from?
- The figures come from International Labour Organization, published as part of Unemployment (previous ILO definition - ICLS13). Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
Download this data
CSV · JSON — 22 observations, free to reuse under ILO Terms of Use (attribution required).
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 unemployed comprise all persons of working age who were: a) without work during the reference period, i.e. were not in paid employment or self-employment; b) currently available for work, i.e. were available for paid employment or self-employment during the reference period; and c) seeking work, i.e. had taken specific steps in a specified recent period to seek paid employment or self-employment. The term disability, as defined in the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF), is used as an umbrella term, covering impairments, activity limitations, and participation restrictions. For measurement purposes, a person with disability is defined as a person who is limited in the kind or amount of activities that he or she can do because of ongoing difficulties due to a long-term physical condition, mental condition or health problem. For more information, refer to the Disability Labour Market Indicators (DLMI) database description.