Statistics & Data – Portugal FAQs for Expats

Question 1

What is the INE housing price index?

Accepted Answer

The INE housing price index (*Índice de Preços da Habitação*) tracks changes in residential property transaction prices across Portugal, published quarterly by the National Statistics Institute (INE). It covers both new and existing dwellings and breaks data down by region, property type, and buyer nationality.

The index is a key reference for policymakers debating housing affordability measures, for lenders assessing mortgage risk, and for buyers and investors tracking market trends. It has shown sustained price growth since 2015, with particularly sharp increases in Lisbon, Porto, and the Algarve driven by international demand, tourism, and housing shortages.

Related INE publications include monthly housing transaction data, rental indices, and construction statistics. Together, they provide the most comprehensive picture of Portugal's property market.

Question 2

How do Portugal's housing prices compare to Europe?

Accepted Answer

Portugal’s house prices have risen faster than the EU average since 2020, and recent reports list Portugal among the countries with the largest price increases over that period. That stronger price growth has worsened affordability in Lisbon and Porto in particular, so prospective buyers and renters should check local indices and mortgage costs before deciding.

Question 3

How does Portugal's budget surplus compare to other countries?

Accepted Answer

Portugal recorded a budget surplus of 0.7% of Gross Domestic Product (*Produto Interno Bruto* or *PIB*) in 2023, a result the government describes as historic. This performance is notably stronger than the Eurozone average deficit of 3.6%, as well as deficits in France (5.5%), the UK (6.0%), and the United States (6.3%). The surplus helps the country reduce its public debt, though officials warn of future economic uncertainty.

Question 4

How does Portugal's corruption ranking compare internationally?

Accepted Answer

Portugal's 56 points and 46th place in the 2025 CPI put it below many western European peers and below the EU average, and represent a fall from 34th in 2023 to 46th in 2025. For practical context, that relative decline can affect investor confidence, public procurement transparency and the predictability of dealing with public services—issues travellers, residents and business owners should watch.

Question 5

How does Portugal's student performance compare to the international average?

Accepted Answer

Portugal's recent performance in PISA assessments has trended below the OECD average in core subjects like mathematics and reading. While Portugal historically improved its rankings throughout the early 2000s, recent data shows a decline, placing it behind top-performing nations like Singapore and Estonia, and often trailing the performance levels of countries like Germany, France, and the UK.

Question 6

How does Portugal's GP assignment work?

Accepted Answer

In Portugal, people register for a family doctor (*médico de família*) through the National Health Service (*Serviço Nacional de Saúde* or *SNS*) at their local health centre (*Centro de Saúde*) or a family health unit (*Unidade de Saúde Familiar*). If no doctor is available they join a waiting list and can use SNS urgent care or go to private clinics; recent reports put about 1.6 million people without a family doctor, so many who need faster access choose private care.

Question 7

How does Portugal's minimum wage compare internationally?

Accepted Answer

Portugal's monthly minimum wage will be €920 in 2026, up from €870 in 2025 (a €50 increase). That is below the EU median (about €1,100); for comparison Spain €1,134, Germany roughly €2,054 and France about €1,802 (UK: £1,524 or ~€1,780), so Portugal remains lower than several Western European countries, which affects purchasing power and labour costs.

Question 8

How does Portugal's mosquito season affect disease risk?

Accepted Answer

Mosquito season in Portugal runs roughly from April to October, peaking in the warmest months (July–September), which increases bite exposure and the chance of mosquito-borne infections. Locally transmitted cases are uncommon but possible — species like Culex can carry West Nile and the expanding Asian tiger mosquito (Aedes albopictus) can transmit dengue or chikungunya — so residents should use repellents, keep windows/screens closed, remove standing water, and see a doctor for fever, rash or severe joint pain after mosquito bites.

Question 9

How does Portugal's productivity compare internationally?

Accepted Answer

Portugal's productivity per hour worked is below the EU average; around 2022 Portugal was roughly 70–75% of the EU27 average for GDP per hour worked, while Germany was about 120–125%, France about 105–110% and the UK about 110–115%. That gap helps explain why Portugal's average wages (€1,694 gross monthly in 2025) remain lower than in many Western European countries.

Question 10

How does Portugal's renewable electricity share compare internationally?

Accepted Answer

Mainland Portugal reached 80.7% renewable electricity in January, placing it second in Europe that month. That share is well above recent EU monthly averages (roughly 40–45%) and higher than typical values in large countries—Germany often ranges 40–50% in windy months, France about 20–30% because of its nuclear fleet, the UK around 30–40% and the US near 20–30%—so Portugal was roughly 35 percentage points above the EU average in that month.

Question 11

How does Portugal's teacher shortage compare internationally?

Accepted Answer

Portugal is seeing a rise in teacher retirements and localised shortages that are starting to affect regions that were previously less impacted, creating staffing problems for regular school functioning. Compared with the EU, Portugal's shortages tend to be regional and subject-specific (often in STEM and certain secondary grades), while countries like Spain and the UK face similar problems at a larger or more widespread scale; parents and local education staff should watch regional recruitment and temporary staffing measures.

Question 12

How has Portugal's voter turnout changed over time and how does it compare to other European countries?

Accepted Answer

Turnout was very high in the immediate post‑revolution years (often above 80% in the mid‑1970s) but has trended downward to roughly half of eligible voters in recent national elections (about 48.6% in 2019 and roughly 51% in 2022). That recent level is below the typical EU median for national parliamentary turnout (often around 60–70%) and lower than countries like Germany (~76% in 2017) and the UK (~67% in 2019), so election outcomes can be shaped by smaller, more motivated groups — something expats should bear in mind if they register to vote.

Question 13

What is Portugal's INE (National Institute of Statistics)?

Accepted Answer

INE (*Instituto Nacional de Estatística*) is Portugal's official statistics office, responsible for collecting, processing, and publishing data on the economy, population, housing, employment, inflation, and social conditions.

Key INE publications include the Consumer Price Index (CPI), quarterly GDP figures, housing price indices, census data, and labor market statistics. These figures are widely used by policymakers, journalists, lenders, and international organizations to assess Portugal's economic and social trends.

INE data is publicly available at ine.pt, where users can access databases, press releases, and interactive tools covering everything from property prices to demographic shifts.

Question 14

What are marine protected areas and how do they affect fishing decisions like the tuna dispute in the Azores?

Accepted Answer

A marine protected area (*área marinha protegida*) is a designated sea zone where human activity is limited to conserve ecosystems, species and habitats, and rules can range from restrictions on certain fishing methods to full no-take zones. In the Azores and other Portuguese waters, these protections can restrict commercial and recreational fishing and are often controversial because they balance biodiversity goals with local fishing livelihoods, which is why disputes over tuna fishing arise. Enforcement and specific rules vary by region and are managed by national and regional maritime and environmental authorities.

Question 15

What is a generic medicine?

Accepted Answer

A generic medicine contains the same active ingredient, strength and pharmaceutical form as a brand‑name drug after the original patent expires and must meet the same standards of quality and bioequivalence. Generics usually cost less and are commonly substituted at Portuguese pharmacies; in 2025 about 79% of the medicines Infarmed approved were generics, which can reduce prescription costs for residents.

Question 16

What is Azores Airlines?

Accepted Answer

Azores Airlines is the carrier that operates scheduled flights between the Azores and the Portuguese mainland and some international destinations; it is the commercial brand linked to the SATA group. Because the airline is currently subject to a privatisation tender, passengers and residents in the Azores should monitor the process for possible changes to routes or services.

Question 17

What is doxycycline?

Accepted Answer

Doxycycline is a broad‑spectrum antibiotic from the tetracycline class used to treat various bacterial infections such as respiratory infections, skin infections and some sexually transmitted infections. The ECDC notes its increasing use as post‑exposure prophylaxis (doxycycline PEP) among some men who have sex with men in the EU, but this practice raises concerns about side effects and antibiotic resistance so anyone considering it should consult a clinician.

Question 18

What is excess mortality and why does it matter now that flu cases are falling?

Accepted Answer

Excess mortality is the number of deaths above what would be expected based on historical averages (commonly a multi‑year baseline), and it captures deaths directly and indirectly caused by events like epidemics, heatwaves or healthcare disruptions. Portugal’s public health institute INSA (*Instituto Nacional de Saúde Doutor Ricardo Jorge*) monitors excess mortality to see the broader impact of seasonal illnesses and other stresses on the health system, so a drop in flu cases does not automatically mean overall mortality has returned to normal. Those following public‑health trends should note excess‑mortality figures because they show the pandemic and other factors’ continuing effect on population health.

Question 19

What is Heineken?

Accepted Answer

Heineken is a Dutch multinational brewing company that operates in Portugal through Sociedade Central de Cervejas e Bebidas (SCC). The firm has announced an international restructuring that involves thousands of job cuts, so workers in Portugal's beer and beverage sector should watch for local effects.

Question 20

What is Pordata?

Accepted Answer

Pordata is a statistical database (*Base de Dados de Portugal Contemporâneo*) created by the Francisco Manuel dos Santos Foundation. It collects and publishes verified data on various aspects of Portuguese society, including demographics, education, and health, to support informed public debate.

Question 21

What is Porto Business School?

Accepted Answer

Porto Business School is the graduate business school affiliated with the University of Porto, based in the city of Porto. Its International MBA entered the Financial Times top 100 this year at 96th place, so it may interest professionals in Portugal who want an internationally ranked MBA in the north of the country.

Question 22

What is the Corruption Perceptions Index?

Accepted Answer

The Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI) is an annual ranking published by Transparency International that scores countries from 0 (highly corrupt) to 100 (very clean) using expert assessments and business surveys; it has been published since 1995. For expats, the CPI is a quick indicator of how transparent public institutions and the business environment are—Portugal scored 56 and ranked 46th of 180 in the 2025 index, reflecting a downward trend since 2015.

Question 23

What is the free medicines scheme for low-income elderly?

Accepted Answer

The free medicines scheme for low‑income elderly is a government policy that waives prescription charges for eligible seniors with limited means, covering a specified list of medicines. The government corrected the law in February 2026 after questions about eligibility, so people over 65 on low incomes should check their status with their local health centre or pharmacy to confirm which medicines are covered.

Question 24

What is the Consumer Price Index?

Accepted Answer

The Consumer Price Index (*Índice de Preços no Consumidor* or *IPC*) is a statistical measure used to track the average change in prices paid by consumers for a representative basket of goods and services over time. It is the primary indicator used to calculate inflation in Portugal and helps the government and central banks monitor the cost of living.

Question 25

What is the Lagoa Salgada mine project?

Accepted Answer

The Lagoa Salgada mine project is a proposed mining plan to extract copper, lead and zinc in the municipalities of Grândola and Alcácer do Sal. It has faced environmental scrutiny after APA found likely negative impacts on water resources, which can delay permitting and affect local farming, water supply and tourism.

Question 26

What is the Minho Line?

Accepted Answer

The Minho Line (*Linha do Minho*) is the railway in northern Portugal that runs from Porto toward Valença and the Spanish border, with regional services operated by Comboios de Portugal (CP). It is a key commuter and cross‑border route, so service suspensions between Caminha and Valença after a fallen tree will disrupt local travel and international connections until repairs and inspections are completed.

Question 27

What is the National Statistics Institute?

Accepted Answer

The National Statistics Institute (*Instituto Nacional de Estatística* or *INE*) is the public body that produces official data on Portugal's economy and population. Portugal's 2023 budget surplus of 1.2% of GDP, reported by INE, contrasts with the EU average deficit of 3.5% and the UK's 6% deficit. Taxpayers should note that these figures influence government spending and tax policies.

Question 28

What is the PIB and why is it being recalculated for Portugal?

Accepted Answer

The PIB (*Produto Interno Bruto*) is the Portuguese term for Gross Domestic Product (GDP), which measures the total value of goods and services produced within the country. Eurostat is recalculating this figure for Portugal to account for recent updates in population data, ensuring that per capita indicators accurately reflect the current economic reality.

Question 29

What is the PISA and why does it matter for Portuguese schools?

Accepted Answer

The Programme for International Student Assessment (*Programa Internacional de Avaliação de Alunos* or *PISA*) is a worldwide study by the OECD that measures 15-year-old students' performance in mathematics, science, and reading. It provides a standardized benchmark for education systems, helping policymakers identify strengths and weaknesses in national curricula compared to other countries.

Question 30

What is the Portuguese Society of Internal Medicine?

Accepted Answer

The Portuguese Society of Internal Medicine (*Sociedade Portuguesa de Medicina Interna*) is the professional association for internal medicine doctors in Portugal that issues clinical guidance, organises scientific meetings and advises policymakers. It recently presented a hospital reform proposal and comments publicly on NHS issues such as waiting lists and service capacity.