The number of students with foreign nationality in Portuguese public schools has increased by 283% over the last decade, according to a new report from the think tank EDULOG. Foreign students now account for one in seven pupils, with experts noting that the education system is struggling to adapt to this demographic shift. The report highlights that retention rates for these students are significantly higher than those of their Portuguese peers.
Foreign student numbers surge in public schools
Monday, 15 June 2026AI summary
Context & Explainers
EDULOG is a think tank (think tank) focused on education policy and research in Portugal. It is an initiative of the Belmiro de Azevedo Foundation and produces data-driven studies to help inform public debate and improve the national education system.
5 sources
- By 2030 there will be 22,000 more children in primary school: without the children of immigrants, classes and schools would have to closeexpresso.pt ·
- Persistent decline in top students' performance should raise concernpublico.pt ·
- Number of foreign students has quadrupled in the last 10 yearsrtp.pt ·
- Foreign student numbers nearly quadruple in 10 yearscmjornal.pt ·
- One in seven students in Portuguese public schools is of foreign nationalityECO ·
