A country that enriches and empties
In 1970, the census surprised Portugal with only 8.6 million residents, fewer than expected, revealing a trend of emigration. Over 180,000 Portuguese left that year, fleeing poverty, the Colonial War, and the regime. Emigration was seen as a sign of backwardness, shaping the country's identity. By 2020, the UN estimated around 2.1 million people born in Portugal living abroad, about 21% of the resident population, up from 9-10% in 1970. Despite Portugal's enrichment and integration into Europe, this trend of emigration has continued. The ease of leaving Portugal and living legally in other countries has increased, with significant wage disparities prompting many to seek better opportunities abroad. The emergence of low-cost airlines has made travel more accessible, leading to a new type of emigrant who moves between countries for work without severing ties to Portugal. While Portugal experiences record emigration, it also sees more immigrants than ever before, raising questions about the political responsibility to manage these dual realities effectively. The political discourse framing immigration as a threat contrasts sharply with the data showing that a significant portion of the population is now living abroad, highlighting the complexity of national identity and economic reliance on foreign labour.
