Lisbon and Porto have almost as many bank branches as 13 other districts combined: how long does it take to reach the nearest one?
This is the second of four reports on inequalities in access to basic services, produced in partnership between Expresso and NOVA Cidade — Urban Analytics Lab at NOVA IMS. The unequal distribution of bank branches across the country harms people living in inland areas, especially the elderly. More than 70% of parishes do not have a bank branch.
João, the 'jack-of-all-trades' parish president with the access codes to the whole parish's finances
In the ageing village of Edral, the nearest cashpoint is 20 kilometres away. It is the parish council president who withdraws pension payments, files income tax returns and buys medication for local residents. In this village, no one is elected on the basis of political party.