DEMOGRAPHIC DECLINE IN PORTUGAL

HALTING DEMOGRAPHIC DECLINE IN PORTUGAL

Article produced by our partner: Living in Portugal Consulting

Historically, Portugal's population has always migrated to other countries. Since the 2007 crisis, this demographic decline has accelerated. 

For the first time, thanks to the influx of foreigners, particularly European Union nationals, the statistics show an increase. 

A sharp rise in immigration

Portugal recorded a record high, according to a report compiled by the border service. 480,300 foreign residents packed their bags in 2018. This increase of around 13.9 % (the third in a row). It is due in particular to the arrival of a large number of nationals from European Union countries, but also to the introduction of the status of non-European resident.

For the first time, this increase in foreign residents has made it possible to maintain Portugal's population levels and, above all, to meet the needs of the employment market. These were the words of Portuguese Interior Minister Eduardo Cabrita at the presentation of this report. Portugal is striving to attract immigrants to compensate for the falling birth rate and support economic activity.

A few days ago Antonio Costa stated that professional associations were calling for legal migration channels to be created for Portugal. In order to meet human resources needs.

With one of the lowest fertility rates in Europe at 1.41 children per woman in 2018, Portugal has been experiencing a major demographic decline for several years. 

France and Italy are the most representative nationalities 

France and Italy are among the world's most popular nationalities represented in Portugal. It seems to confirm the impact of the attractiveness factors for citizens from the European Union. These include the perception of Portugal as a safe country, not to mention its tax advantages.

The country offers tax exemption on pensions and foreign-source income for ten years from the time the residence permit is obtained. Brazilians make up the largest foreign community in Portugal with 105,423 citizens in 2018, representing more than 20% of the total number of foreigners, up 23.4% on 2017.

We'll have to look at longevity to see whether Portugal's demographic decline is about to be reversed.