Portugal - PT - PRT - POR - Europe

Last updated: April 23, 2025
Portugal flag
Portugal locator map
Portugal map

Portugal Images

  • Lagoa das Sete Cidades (Lagoon of the Seven Cities) is a twin lake in the crater of a dormant volcano on the island of Sao Miguel. The Lagoa das Sete Cidades is technically one lake, but it is often referred to as two separate bodies -- Lagoa Verde (Green Lake) and Lagoa Azul (Blue Lake) -- because each side of the lake reflects sunlight in different colors.

    Lagoa das Sete Cidades (Lagoon of the Seven Cities) is a twin lake in the crater of a dormant volcano on the island of Sao Miguel. The Lagoa das Sete Cidades is technically one lake, but it is often referred to as two separate bodies -- Lagoa Verde (Green Lake) and Lagoa Azul (Blue Lake) -- because each side of the lake reflects sunlight in different colors.

  • Lisbon, Portugal's capital and largest city, is often called the “White City" due to the ochre stone used in its buildings that looks white in bright sunlight. At the center of this photo is the 17th-century Church of Santa Engracia, which was converted into a national pantheon in the 20th century .

    Lisbon, Portugal's capital and largest city, is often called the “White City" due to the ochre stone used in its buildings that looks white in bright sunlight. At the center of this photo is the 17th-century Church of Santa Engracia, which was converted into a national pantheon in the 20th century .

  • The Monument to the Restorers in Lisbon, Portugal, was erected in 1886 to celebrate the restoration of Portuguese independence from Spain in 1640.

    The Monument to the Restorers in Lisbon, Portugal, was erected in 1886 to celebrate the restoration of Portuguese independence from Spain in 1640.

  • The Padrao dos descobrimentos (Monument to the Discoveries) in Lisbon, Portugal, honors monarchs, explorers, navigators, cartographers, scientists, and missionaries from the Age of Discovery (15th and 16th centuries). The main statue of Prince Henry the Navigator (1394-1460), holding a model of a carrack (a three- or four-masted sailing ship), leads a procession of 32 figures (16 on either side ramp) on the monument.

    The Padrao dos descobrimentos (Monument to the Discoveries) in Lisbon, Portugal, honors monarchs, explorers, navigators, cartographers, scientists, and missionaries from the Age of Discovery (15th and 16th centuries). The main statue of Prince Henry the Navigator (1394-1460), holding a model of a carrack (a three- or four-masted sailing ship), leads a procession of 32 figures (16 on either side ramp) on the monument.

  • A detail from the Padrao dos descobrimentos (Monument to the Discoveries) in Lisbon, which celebrates the contributions of the Portuguese in the Age of Discovery during the 15th and 16th centuries. The main statue of Prince Henry the Navigator (1394-1460), holding a model of a carrack (a three- or four-masted sailing ship), leads a procession of 32 figures (16 on either side ramp) on the monument. This view is of the west side.

    A detail from the Padrao dos descobrimentos (Monument to the Discoveries) in Lisbon, which celebrates the contributions of the Portuguese in the Age of Discovery during the 15th and 16th centuries. The main statue of Prince Henry the Navigator (1394-1460), holding a model of a carrack (a three- or four-masted sailing ship), leads a procession of 32 figures (16 on either side ramp) on the monument. This view is of the west side.

  • The tomb of Vasco da Gama in the Jeronimos Monastery in Belem, a parish (district) in southwestern Lisbon, Portugal.

    The tomb of Vasco da Gama in the Jeronimos Monastery in Belem, a parish (district) in southwestern Lisbon, Portugal.

  • The Torre de Belem (Belem Tower) in Portugal was built in the early 16th century to commemorate Vasco da Gama's voyages of discovery to India (1497-1524).

    The Torre de Belem (Belem Tower) in Portugal was built in the early 16th century to commemorate Vasco da Gama's voyages of discovery to India (1497-1524).

  • The castle in Guimaraes, Portugal, was built in the 10th century to protect a nearby monastery from Moors and Norsemen.

    The castle in Guimaraes, Portugal, was built in the 10th century to protect a nearby monastery from Moors and Norsemen.

  • The medieval section of Guimaraes, Portugal, opens onto the Largo Republica do Brasil (Republic Square of Brazil). One end of the square features the slim Nossa Senhora da Consolacao e dos Santos Passos (Church of Our Lady of Consolation and the Holy Steps), an example of Portuguese Baroque architecture.

    The medieval section of Guimaraes, Portugal, opens onto the Largo Republica do Brasil (Republic Square of Brazil). One end of the square features the slim Nossa Senhora da Consolacao e dos Santos Passos (Church of Our Lady of Consolation and the Holy Steps), an example of Portuguese Baroque architecture.

  • The Old Palace Council Chambers in the Largo da Oliveira (Square of the Olive Tree) in Guimaraes, Portugal.

    The Old Palace Council Chambers in the Largo da Oliveira (Square of the Olive Tree) in Guimaraes, Portugal.

  • Lagoa do Fogo (Lake of Fire) is a crater lake within the Água de Pau Massif stratovolcano in the center of the island of São Miguel in the Azores archipelago.

    Lagoa do Fogo (Lake of Fire) is a crater lake within the Água de Pau Massif stratovolcano in the center of the island of São Miguel in the Azores archipelago.

  • Lagoa das Sete Cidades (Lagoon of the Seven Cities) is a twin lake in the crater of a dormant volcano on the island of Sao Miguel. The Lagoa das Sete Cidades is technically one lake, but it is often referred to as two separate bodies -- Lagoa Verde (Green Lake) and Lagoa Azul (Blue Lake) -- because each side of the lake reflects sunlight in different colors.

    Lagoa das Sete Cidades (Lagoon of the Seven Cities) is a twin lake in the crater of a dormant volcano on the island of Sao Miguel. The Lagoa das Sete Cidades is technically one lake, but it is often referred to as two separate bodies -- Lagoa Verde (Green Lake) and Lagoa Azul (Blue Lake) -- because each side of the lake reflects sunlight in different colors.

1 of 12

  • View of Lisbon, Portugal's largest city and capital.
  • Lisbon, Portugal's capital and largest city, is often called the “White City" due to the ochre stone used in its buildings that looks white in bright sunlight. At the center of this photo is the 17th-century Church of Santa Engracia, which was converted into a national pantheon in the 20th century .
  • The Monument to the Restorers in Lisbon, Portugal, was erected in 1886 to celebrate the restoration of Portuguese independence from Spain in 1640.
  • The Padrao dos descobrimentos (Monument to the Discoveries) in Lisbon, Portugal, honors monarchs, explorers, navigators, cartographers, scientists, and missionaries from the Age of Discovery (15th and 16th centuries). The main statue of Prince Henry the Navigator (1394-1460), holding a model of a carrack (a three- or four-masted sailing ship), leads a procession of 32 figures (16 on either side ramp) on the monument.
  • A detail from the Padrao dos descobrimentos (Monument to the Discoveries) in Lisbon, which celebrates the contributions of the Portuguese in the Age of Discovery during the 15th and 16th centuries. The main statue of Prince Henry the Navigator (1394-1460), holding a model of a carrack (a three- or four-masted sailing ship), leads a procession of 32 figures (16 on either side ramp) on the monument. This view is of the west side.
  • The tomb of Vasco da Gama in the Jeronimos Monastery in Belem, a parish (district) in southwestern Lisbon, Portugal.
  • The Torre de Belem (Belem Tower) in Portugal was built in the early 16th century to commemorate Vasco da Gama's voyages of discovery to India (1497-1524).
  • The castle in Guimaraes, Portugal, was built in the 10th century to protect a nearby monastery from Moors and Norsemen.
  • The medieval section of Guimaraes, Portugal, opens onto the Largo Republica do Brasil (Republic Square of Brazil). One end of the square features the slim Nossa Senhora da Consolacao e dos Santos Passos (Church of Our Lady of Consolation and the Holy Steps), an example of Portuguese Baroque architecture.
  • The Old Palace Council Chambers in the Largo da Oliveira (Square of the Olive Tree) in Guimaraes, Portugal.
  • Lagoa do Fogo (Lake of Fire) is a crater lake within the Água de Pau Massif stratovolcano in the center of the island of São Miguel in the Azores archipelago.
  • Lagoa das Sete Cidades (Lagoon of the Seven Cities) is a twin lake in the crater of a dormant volcano on the island of Sao Miguel. The Lagoa das Sete Cidades is technically one lake, but it is often referred to as two separate bodies -- Lagoa Verde (Green Lake) and Lagoa Azul (Blue Lake) -- because each side of the lake reflects sunlight in different colors.

Portugal Factbook Data

Diplomatic representation from the US

chief of mission: Ambassador (vacant); Chargé d’Affaires Douglas A. KONEFF (since January 2025)

embassy: Avenida das Forcas Armadas, 1600-081 Lisboa

mailing address: 5320 Lisbon Place, Washington DC  20521-5320

telephone: [351] (21) 727-3300

FAX: [351] (21) 726-9109

email address and website:
conslisbon@state.gov

https://pt.usembassy.gov/

consulate(s): Ponta Delgada (Azores)

Age structure

0-14 years: 12.7% (male 662,419/female 631,284)

15-64 years: 65% (male 3,264,766/female 3,371,087)

65 years and over: 22.3% (2024 est.) (male 908,578/female 1,369,043)
2023 population pyramid
This is the population pyramid for Portugal. A population pyramid illustrates the age and sex structure of a country's population and may provide insights about political and social stability, as well as economic development. The population is distributed along the horizontal axis, with males shown on the left and females on the right. The male and female populations are broken down into 5-year age groups represented as horizontal bars along the vertical axis, with the youngest age groups at the bottom and the oldest at the top. The shape of the population pyramid gradually evolves over time based on fertility, mortality, and international migration trends.

For additional information, please see the entry for Population pyramid on the Definitions and Notes page.

Geographic coordinates

39 30 N, 8 00 W

Sex ratio

at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female

0-14 years: 1.05 male(s)/female

15-64 years: 0.97 male(s)/female

65 years and over: 0.66 male(s)/female

total population: 0.9 male(s)/female (2024 est.)

Natural hazards

Azores subject to severe earthquakes

volcanism: limited volcanic activity in the Azores Islands; Fayal or Faial (1,043 m) last erupted in 1958; most volcanoes have not erupted in centuries; historically active volcanoes include Agua de Pau, Furnas, Pico, Picos Volcanic System, San Jorge, Sete Cidades, and Terceira

Area - comparative

slightly smaller than Virginia
Area comparison map

slightly smaller than Virginia

Military service age and obligation

18-30 years of age for voluntary or contract military service; no compulsory military service (abolished 2004) but conscription possible if insufficient volunteers available; women serve in the armed forces but are prohibited from serving in some combatant specialties; contract service lasts for an initial period of 2-6 years, and can be extended to a maximum of 20 years of service; initial voluntary military service lasts 12 months; reserve obligation to age 35 (2023)

note: as of 2023, women made up about 14% of the military's full-time personnel

Background

A global maritime power during the 15th and 16th centuries, Portugal lost much of its wealth and status with the destruction of Lisbon in a 1755 earthquake, occupation during the Napoleonic Wars, and the independence of Brazil, its wealthiest colony, in 1822. A revolution deposed the monarchy in 1910, and for most of the next six decades, repressive governments ran the country. In 1974, a left-wing military coup ushered in broad democratic reforms. The following year, Portugal granted independence to all its African colonies. Portugal is a founding member of NATO and entered the EC (now the EU) in 1986.

Environment - current issues

soil erosion; air pollution caused by industrial and vehicle emissions; water pollution, especially in urban centers and coastal areas

Environment - international agreements

party to: Air Pollution, Air Pollution-Heavy Metals, Air Pollution-Multi-effect Protocol, Antarctic-Environmental Protection, Antarctic Treaty, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Climate Change-Paris Agreement, Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping-London Convention, Marine Life Conservation, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 2006, Wetlands, Whaling

signed, but not ratified: Air Pollution-Persistent Organic Pollutants, Air Pollution-Volatile Organic Compounds, Environmental Modification, Nuclear Test Ban

Military expenditures

1.6% of GDP (2024 est.)
1.5% of GDP (2023)
1.4% of GDP (2022 est.)
1.5% of GDP (2021)
1.4% of GDP (2020)

Population below poverty line

16.4% (2021 est.)

note: % of population with income below national poverty line

Household income or consumption by percentage share

lowest 10%: 2.8% (2021 est.)

highest 10%: 27.5% (2021 est.)

note: % share of income accruing to lowest and highest 10% of population

Exports - commodities

cars, garments, vehicle parts/accessories, unpackaged medicine, refined petroleum (2023)

note: top five export commodities based on value in dollars

Exports - partners

Spain 21%, France 11%, Germany 10%, USA 8%, UK 5% (2023)

note: top five export partners based on percentage share of exports

Administrative divisions

18 districts (distritos, singular - distrito) and 2 autonomous regions* (regioes autonomas, singular - regiao autonoma); Aveiro, Acores (Azores)*, Beja, Braga, Braganca, Castelo Branco, Coimbra, Evora, Faro, Guarda, Leiria, Lisboa (Lisbon), Madeira*, Portalegre, Porto, Santarem, Setubal, Viana do Castelo, Vila Real, Viseu

Agricultural products

milk, tomatoes, olives, grapes, maize, pork, potatoes, chicken, apples, oranges (2023)

note: top ten agricultural products based on tonnage

Military and security forces

Portuguese Armed Forces (Forças Armadas Portuguesa): Portuguese Army (Exercito Portuguesa), Portuguese Navy (Marinha Portuguesa; includes Marine Corps, aka Corpo de Fuzileiros or Corps of Fusiliers), Portuguese Air Force (Forca Aerea Portuguesa, FAP)

Ministry of Internal Administration: Foreigners and Borders Service, Public Security Service, National Republican Guard (Guarda Nacional Republicana, GNR) (2024)

note: the Foreigners and Borders Service has jurisdiction over immigration and border matters, the Public Security Police has jurisdiction in cities, and the GNR has jurisdiction in rural areas; the GNR is a national gendarmerie force comprised of military personnel with law enforcement, internal security, civil defense, disaster response, and coast guard duties; it is responsible to both the Ministry of Internal Administration and to the Ministry of National Defense; it is not part of the Armed Forces, but may be placed under the operational command of the Chief of the General Staff of the Armed Forces in the event of a national emergency; the GNR describes itself as a hinge between the Armed Forces and the police forces and other security services

Budget

revenues: $99.473 billion (2022 est.)

expenditures: $100.796 billion (2022 est.)

note: central government revenues (excluding grants) and expenses converted to US dollars at average official exchange rate for year indicated

Capital

name: Lisbon

geographic coordinates: 38 43 N, 9 08 W

time difference: UTC 0 (5 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time)

daylight saving time: +1hr, begins last Sunday in March; ends last Sunday in October

time zone note: Portugal has two time zones, including the Azores (UTC-1)

etymology: Lisbon is one of Europe's oldest cities (the second oldest capital city after Athens) and the origin of the name is lost in time; it may have been founded as an ancient Celtic settlement that subsequently maintained close commercial relations with the Phoenicians (beginning about 1200 B.C.); the name of the settlement may have been derived from the pre-Roman appellation for the Tagus River that runs through the city, Lisso or Lucio; the Romans named the city "Olisippo" when they took it from the Carthaginians in 205 B.C.; under the Visigoths the city name became "Ulixbona," under the Arabs it was "al-Ushbuna"; the medieval version of "Lissabona" became today's Lisboa

Imports - commodities

cars, crude petroleum, vehicle parts/accessories, refined petroleum, garments (2023)

note: top five import commodities based on value in dollars

Climate

maritime temperate; cool and rainy in north, warmer and drier in south

Coastline

1,793 km

Constitution

history: several previous; latest adopted 2 April 1976, effective 25 April 1976

amendment process: proposed by the Assembly of the Republic; adoption requires two-thirds majority vote of Assembly members

Exchange rates

euros (EUR) per US dollar -

Exchange rates:
0.925 (2023 est.)
0.95 (2022 est.)
0.845 (2021 est.)
0.876 (2020 est.)
0.893 (2019 est.)

Executive branch

chief of state: President Marcelo REBELO DE SOUSA (since 9 March 2016)

head of government: Prime Minister Antonio Luis MONTENEGRO (since 2 April 2024)

cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the president on the recommendation of the prime minister

elections/appointments: president directly elected by absolute majority popular vote in 2 rounds if needed for a 5-year term (eligible for a second term); election last held on 24 January 2021 (next to be held in January 2026); following legislative elections the leader of the majority party or majority coalition is usually appointed prime minister by the president

election results:
2021: Marcelo REBELO DE SOUSA reelected president in the first round; percent of vote - Marcelo REBELO DE SOUSA (PSD) 60.7%, Ana GOMES (ran as an independent but is a member of PS) 13%, Andre VENTURA (CH) 11.9%, João FERREIRA (PCP-PEV) 4.3%, other 10.1%

2016: Marcelo REBELO DE SOUSA elected president in the first round; percent of vote - Marcelo REBELO DE SOUSA (PSD) 52%, António SAMPAIO DA NOVOA (independent) 22.9%, Marisa MATIAS (BE) 10.1%, Maria DE BELEM ROSEIRA (PS) 4.2%, other 10.8%

 



note: there is also a Council of State that acts as a consultative body to the president

Flag description

two vertical bands of green (hoist side, two-fifths) and red (three-fifths) with the national coat of arms (armillary sphere and Portuguese shield) centered on the dividing line; explanations for the color meanings are ambiguous, but a popular interpretation has green symbolizing hope and red the blood of those defending the nation

Roadways

total: 11,217 km (2022)

Illicit drugs

a European gateway for Southwest Asian heroin; transshipment point for hashish from North Africa to Europe; consumer of Southwest Asian heroin

 

Independence

1143 (Kingdom of Portugal recognized); 1 December 1640 (independence reestablished following 60 years of Spanish rule); 5 October 1910 (republic proclaimed)

Industries

textiles, clothing, footwear, wood and cork, paper and pulp, chemicals, fuels and lubricants, automobiles and auto parts, base metals, minerals, porcelain and ceramics, glassware, technology, telecommunications; dairy products, wine, other foodstuffs; ship construction and refurbishment; tourism, plastics, financial services, optics

Waterways

210 km (2011) (on Douro River from Porto)

Judicial branch

highest court(s): Supreme Court or Supremo Tribunal de Justica (consists of 12 justices); Constitutional Court or Tribunal Constitucional (consists of 13 judges)

judge selection and term of office: Supreme Court justices nominated by the president and appointed by the Assembly of the Republic; judges can serve for life; Constitutional Court judges - 10 elected by the Assembly and 3 elected by the other Constitutional Court judges; judges elected for 6-year nonrenewable terms

subordinate courts: Supreme Administrative Court (Supremo Tribunal Administrativo); Audit Court (Tribunal de Contas); appellate, district, and municipal courts

Land boundaries

total: 1,224 km

border countries (1): Spain 1,224 km

Land use

agricultural land: 42.8% (2022 est.)

arable land: 10.2% (2022 est.)

permanent crops: 9.5% (2022 est.)

permanent pasture: 23.1% (2022 est.)

forest: 36.2% (2022 est.)

other: 21.1% (2022 est.)

Legal system

civil law system; Constitutional Court review of legislative acts

Legislative branch

legislature name: Assembly of the Republic (Assembleia da Republica)

legislative structure: unicameral

number of seats: 230 (all directly elected)

electoral system: proportional representation

scope of elections: full renewal

term in office: 4 years

most recent election date: 3/10/2024

parties elected and seats per party: Socialist Party (PS) (78); Social Democratic Party (PPD/PSD) - Democratic and Social Centre - People's Party (CDS-PP) - People's Monarchist Party (PPM) (77); Chega (CH) (50); Other (25)

percentage of women in chamber: 34.8%

expected date of next election: May 2025

Literacy

definition: age 15 and over can read and write

total population: 95.9%

male: 97.8%

female: 95.9% (2021)

Maritime claims

territorial sea: 12 nm

contiguous zone: 24 nm

exclusive economic zone: 200 nm

continental shelf: 200-m depth or to the depth of exploitation

International organization participation

ADB (nonregional member), AfDB (nonregional member), Australia Group, BIS, CD, CE, CERN, CPLP, EAPC, EBRD, ECB, EIB, EMU, ESA, EU, FAO, FATF, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC (national committees), ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IEA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, ITUC (NGOs), LAIA (observer), MIGA, NATO, NEA, NSG, OAS (observer), OECD, OPCW, OSCE, Pacific Alliance (observer), Paris Club (associate), PCA, Schengen Convention, SELEC (observer), UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, Union Latina, UNOOSA, UNWTO, UPU, Wassenaar Arrangement, WCO, WFTU (NGOs), WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO, ZC

National holiday

Portugal Day (Dia de Portugal), 10 June (1580); note - also called Camoes Day, the day that revered national poet Luis DE CAMOES (1524-80) died

Nationality

noun: Portuguese (singular and plural)

adjective: Portuguese

Natural resources

fish, forests (cork), iron ore, copper, zinc, tin, tungsten, silver, gold, uranium, marble, clay, gypsum, salt, arable land, hydropower

Geography - note

Azores and Madeira Islands occupy strategic locations along western sea approaches to Strait of Gibraltar; they are two of the four North Atlantic archipelagos that make up Macaronesia; the others are the Canary Islands (Spain) and Cabo Verde

Economic overview

high-income EU and eurozone economy; strong services sector led by tourism and banking; tight labor market; private consumption and export recovery driving post-inflation rebound; EU Recovery and Resilience Plan (RRP) funds a key driver of public investment; high public debt but improving fiscal position

Pipelines

1,344 km gas, 11 km oil, 188 km refined products (2013)

Political parties

Democratic Alliance or AD (2024 electoral alliance in the Azores, includes PSD, CDS-PP, PPM)
Democratic and Social Center/People's Party (Partido do Centro Democratico Social-Partido Popular) or CDS-PP
Ecologist Party "The Greens" or "Os Verdes" (Partido Ecologista-Os Verdes) or PEV
Enough (Chega)
Liberal Initiative (Iniciativa Liberal) or IL
LIVRE or L
People-Animals-Nature Party (Pessoas-Animais-Natureza) or PAN
People's Monarchist Party or PPM
Portuguese Communist Party (Partido Comunista Portugues) or PCP
Social Democratic Party (Partido Social Democrata) or PSD (formerly the Partido Popular Democratico or PPD)
Socialist Party (Partido Socialista) or PS
The Left Bloc (Bloco de Esquerda) or BE or O Bloco
Unitary Democratic Coalition (Coligacao Democratica Unitaria) or CDU (includes PCP and PEV) (2024)

Railways

total: 2,526 km (2020) 1,696 km electrified

Suffrage

18 years of age; universal

Telecommunication systems

general assessment: Portugal has a medium-sized telecom market with a strong mobile sector and a growing broadband customer base; before the pandemic, the country had seen improving economic growth, following several years of austerity measures; revenue among some operators remains under pressure, though investments in network upgrades are continuing in an effort to attract customers to high-end services; Portugal’s broadband services have grown steadily in recent years, largely the result of joint efforts between the regulator and the key market operators which have invested in significant infrastructure upgrades; these operators are focused on fiber-based services, resulting in a migration of subscribers from digital subscriber line DSL infrastructure; the government has also supported open-access wholesale networks; the mobile virtual network operator (MVNO) market remains largely undeveloped, partly because network operators have their own low-cost brands; collectively, MVNOs have about 2.9% share of the market; population coverage by 3G infrastructure is universal, and most investment in the sector is being directed to LTE and 5G technologies; the MNOs have trialed 5G and are looking to launch commercial services (2021)

domestic: fixed-lineis 52 per 100 persons and mobile-cellular is 121 per 100 persons (2021)

international: country code - 351; landing points for the Ella Link, BUGIO, EIG, SAT-3/WASC, SeaMeWe-3, Equino, MainOne, Tat TGN-Western Europe, WACS, ACE, Atlantis2 and Columbus-III submarine cables provide connectivity to Europe, Africa, the Middle East, Asia, Southeast Asia, Australia, South America and the US; satellite earth stations - 3 Intelsat (2 Atlantic Ocean and 1 Indian Ocean), NA Eutelsat; tropospheric scatter to Azores (2019)

Terrain

the west-flowing Tagus River divides the country: the north is mountainous toward the interior, while the south is characterized by rolling plains

Government type

semi-presidential republic

Country name

conventional long form: Portuguese Republic

conventional short form: Portugal

local long form: Republica Portuguesa

local short form: Portugal

etymology: name derives from the Roman designation "Portus Cale," meaning "Port of Cale;" Cale was located in present-day northern Portugal, and its name is said to come from the Latin word calere (to be warm) because the harbor never iced over

Location

Southwestern Europe, bordering the North Atlantic Ocean, west of Spain

Map references

Europe

Irrigated land

5,662 sq km (2019)

Diplomatic representation in the US

chief of mission: Ambassador Francisco Antonio DUARTE LOPES (since 7 June 2022)

chancery: 2012 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20036

telephone: [1] (202) 350-5400

FAX: [1] (202) 462-3726

email address and website:
info.washington@mne.pt

https://washingtondc.embaixadaportugal.mne.gov.pt/en/

consulate(s) general: Boston, Newark (NJ), New York, San Francisco

consulate(s): New Bedford (MA), Providence (RI)

Internet users

percent of population: 86% (2023 est.)

Internet country code

.pt

Refugees and internally displaced persons

refugees (country of origin): 59,920 (Ukraine) (as of 31 January 2024)

stateless persons: 55 (2022)

GDP (official exchange rate)

$289.114 billion (2023 est.)

note: data in current dollars at official exchange rate

Credit ratings

Fitch rating: BBB (2007)

Moody's rating: Baa3 (2018)

Standard & Poors rating: BBB (2019)

note: The year refers to the year in which the current credit rating was first obtained.

Total renewable water resources

77.4 billion cubic meters (2020 est.)

School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education)

total: 17 years

male: 17 years

female: 17 years (2020)

Urbanization

urban population: 67.9% of total population (2023)

rate of urbanization: 0.44% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.)

Broadcast media

Radio e Televisao de Portugal, the publicly owned TV broadcaster, operates 4 domestic channels and external service channels to Africa; overall, roughly 40 domestic TV stations; viewers have widespread access to international broadcasters with more than half of all households connected to multi-channel cable or satellite TV systems; publicly owned radio operates 3 national networks and provides regional and external services; several privately owned national radio stations and some 300 regional and local commercial radio stations

Drinking water source

improved:

urban: 100% of population

rural: 99.7% of population

total: 99.9% of population

unimproved:

urban: 0% of population

rural: 0.3% of population

total: 0.1% of population (2020 est.)

National anthem

name: "A Portugesa" (The Song of the Portuguese)

lyrics/music: Henrique LOPES DE MENDOCA/Alfredo KEIL

note: adopted 1910; "A Portuguesa" was originally written to protest the Portuguese monarchy's acquiescence to the 1890 British ultimatum forcing Portugal to give up areas of Africa; the lyrics refer to the "insult" that resulted from the event
This is an audio of the National Anthem for Portugal. The national anthem is generally a patriotic musical composition - usually in the form of a song or hymn of praise - that evokes and eulogizes the history, traditions, or struggles of a nation or its people. National anthems can be officially recognized as a national song by a country's constitution or by an enacted law, or simply by tradition. Although most anthems contain lyrics, some do not.

Major urban areas - population

3.001 million LISBON (capital), 1.325 million Porto (2023)

International law organization participation

accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction with reservations; accepts ICCt jurisdiction

Physician density

5.85 physicians/1,000 population (2022)

Hospital bed density

3.5 beds/1,000 population (2018)

National symbol(s)

armillary sphere (a spherical astrolabe modeling objects in the sky and representing the Republic); national colors: red, green

Mother's mean age at first birth

29.9 years (2020 est.)

Contraceptive prevalence rate

73.9% (2014)

GDP - composition, by end use

household consumption: 62.1% (2023 est.)

government consumption: 16.9% (2023 est.)

investment in fixed capital: 20.1% (2023 est.)

investment in inventories: 0.4% (2023 est.)

exports of goods and services: 47.3% (2023 est.)

imports of goods and services: -46.4% (2023 est.)

note: figures may not total 100% due to rounding or gaps in data collection

Dependency ratios

total dependency ratio: 56

youth dependency ratio: 20.8

elderly dependency ratio: 35.2

potential support ratio: 2.8 (2021 est.)

Citizenship

citizenship by birth: no

citizenship by descent only: at least one parent must be a citizen of Portugal

dual citizenship recognized: yes

residency requirement for naturalization: 10 years; 6 years if from a Portuguese-speaking country

Population distribution

concentrations are primarily along or near the Atlantic coast; both Lisbon and the second largest city, Porto, are coastal cities

Electricity access

electrification - total population: 100% (2022 est.)

National air transport system

number of registered air carriers: 10 (2020)

inventory of registered aircraft operated by air carriers: 168

annual passenger traffic on registered air carriers: 17,367,956 (2018)

annual freight traffic on registered air carriers: 454.21 million (2018) mt-km

Civil aircraft registration country code prefix

CR, CS

Sanitation facility access

improved:

urban: 99.9% of population

rural: 100% of population

total: 99.9% of population

unimproved:

urban: 0.1% of population

rural: 0% of population

total: 0.1% of population (2020 est.)

Ethnic groups

Portuguese 95%; citizens from Portugal’s former colonies in Africa, Asia (Han Chinese), and South America (Brazilian) and other foreign born 5%

Religions

Roman Catholic 79.7%, Protestant 2.2%, other Christian 2.5%, other non-Christian, 1.1%, none 14.5% (2021 est.)

note: data represent population 15 years of age and older

Languages

Portuguese (official), Mirandese (official, but locally used)

Imports - partners

Spain 33%, Germany 11%, France 7%, Netherlands 5%, China 5% (2023)

note: top five import partners based on percentage share of imports

Elevation

highest point: Ponta do Pico (Pico or Pico Alto) on Ilha do Pico in the Azores 2,351 m

lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m

mean elevation: 372 m

Current health expenditure

10.6% of GDP (2022)

Military - note

the Portuguese military is an all-volunteer force with the primary responsibilities of external defense, humanitarian operations, and fulfilling Portugal’s commitments to European and international security; maritime security has long been a key component of the military's portfolio, and Portugal has one of the world's oldest navies

Portugal was one of the original signers of the North Atlantic Treaty (also known as the Washington Treaty) in 1949 establishing NATO, and the Alliance forms a key pillar of Portugal’s defense policy; Portugal is also a signatory of the EU’s Common Security and Defense Policy, and it regularly participates in a variety of EU, NATO, and UN deployments around the world; the military’s largest commitments include air, ground, and naval forces under NATO-led missions and standing task forces in the Baltics, Eastern Europe, and the Mediterranean Sea; the military also participates regularly in exercises with NATO partners (2024)

Military and security service personnel strengths

approximately 28,000 active-duty personnel (15,000 Army; 7,000 Navy, including about 1,000 marines; 6,000 Air Force); 24,500 National Republican Guard (military personnel) (2024)

Military equipment inventories and acquisitions

the military's inventory includes mostly European- and US-origin weapons systems along with a smaller mix of domestically produced equipment; in recent years, leading foreign suppliers have included Germany and the US; Portugal's defense industry is noted for its shipbuilding (2024)

note: in 2023, Portugal announced a modernization program that included the acquisition of land, naval, air, cyber security, and space capabilities, as well as emerging disruptive technologies

Military deployments

the Portuguese Armed Forces have more than 1,100 military personnel deployed around the world engaged in missions supporting the EU, NATO, the UN, and partner nations; key deployments include 225 troops in the Central African Republic (MINUSCA), approximately 220 in Lithuania (NATO), and approximately 150 in Romania (NATO); it also participates in NATO air policing and maritime patrolling operations (2024)

Terrorist group(s)

Terrorist group(s): Islamic State of Iraq and ash-Sham (ISIS)

note: details about the history, aims, leadership, organization, areas of operation, tactics, targets, weapons, size, and sources of support of the group(s) appear(s) in the Terrorism reference guide

Total water withdrawal

municipal: 880 million cubic meters (2020 est.)

industrial: 1.83 billion cubic meters (2020 est.)

agricultural: 3.42 billion cubic meters (2020 est.)

Waste and recycling

municipal solid waste generated annually: 4.71 million tons (2014 est.)

municipal solid waste recycled annually: 764,433 tons (2014 est.)

percent of municipal solid waste recycled: 16.2% (2014 est.)

Average household expenditures

on food: 17.3% of household expenditures (2023 est.)

on alcohol and tobacco: 3.1% of household expenditures (2023 est.)

Air pollutants

particulate matter emissions: 7.34 micrograms per cubic meter (2019 est.)

carbon dioxide emissions: 48.74 megatons (2016 est.)

methane emissions: 10.93 megatons (2020 est.)

National heritage

total World Heritage Sites: 17 (16 cultural, 1 natural)

selected World Heritage Site locales: Historic Évora (c); Central Zone of the Town of Angra do Heroismo in the Azores (c); Cultural Landscape of Sintra (c); Laurisilva of Madeira (n); Historic Guimarães (c); Monastery of the Hieronymites and Tower of Belém in Lisbon (c); Convent of Christ in Tomar (c); Prehistoric Rock Art Sites in the Côa Valley and Siega Verde (c); University of Coimbra – Alta and Sofia (c); Sanctuary of Bom Jesus do Monte in Braga (c)

Coal

consumption: 7,000 metric tons (2023 est.)

exports: 1 metric tons (2023 est.)

imports: 6,000 metric tons (2023 est.)

proven reserves: 3 million metric tons (2023 est.)

Electricity generation sources

fossil fuels: 25.7% of total installed capacity (2023 est.)

solar: 12.6% of total installed capacity (2023 est.)

wind: 29% of total installed capacity (2023 est.)

hydroelectricity: 24.7% of total installed capacity (2023 est.)

geothermal: 0.4% of total installed capacity (2023 est.)

biomass and waste: 7.6% of total installed capacity (2023 est.)

Natural gas

consumption: 4.325 billion cubic meters (2023 est.)

imports: 4.251 billion cubic meters (2023 est.)

Petroleum

total petroleum production: 8,000 bbl/day (2023 est.)

refined petroleum consumption: 204,000 bbl/day (2024 est.)

Gross reproduction rate

0.71 (2024 est.)

Currently married women (ages 15-49)

52.6% (2023 est.)

Remittances

0.46% of GDP (2023 est.)
0.38% of GDP (2022 est.)
0.3% of GDP (2021 est.)

note: personal transfers and compensation between resident and non-resident individuals/households/entities

Space program overview

has a national space program which is is integrated within the framework of the European Space Agency (ESA); builds and operates satellites; researches and develops a range of space-related technologies with an emphasis on small/micro/nano satellites for remote sensing (RS), navigational, science/technology, and telecommunications, as well as satellite launch services; in addition to the ESA/EU and their member states, cooperates with the space agencies and industries of a variety of countries, including those of Algeria, Angola, Brazil, China, India, Japan, Morocco, South Korea, and the US, as well as such international organizations and projects as the Europe South Observatory (ESO) and the Square Kilometer Array (SKA) Observatory project; one of the objectives of the country's national space strategy (Portugal Space 2030) is to increase the annual outcome of space related activities in the country to about $500 million by 2030 (2024)

note: further details about the key activities, programs, and milestones of the country’s space program, as well as government spending estimates on the space sector, appear in the Space Programs reference guide

Space launch site(s)

developing a commercial space port on Santa Maria Island in the Azores (first anticipated launch, 2025) (2024)

Space agency/agencies

Portuguese Space Agency (Agência Espacial Portuguesa; aka Portugal Space; established 2019); Foundation for Science and Technology (FCT; government agency that funds space research established in 2009) (2024)

Geoparks

total global geoparks and regional networks: 6 (2024)

global geoparks and regional networks: Açores; Arouca; Estrela; Naturtejo da Meseta Meridional; Oeste; Terras de Cavaleiros (2024)

Ports

total ports: 18 (2024)

large: 3

medium: 2

small: 4

very small: 9

ports with oil terminals: 5

key ports: Aveiro, Funchal, Lagos, Lisboa, Sines

Labor force

5.454 million (2023 est.)

note: number of people ages 15 or older who are employed or seeking work

Youth unemployment rate (ages 15-24)

total: 20.2% (2023 est.)

male: 20.6% (2023 est.)

female: 19.9% (2023 est.)

note: % of labor force ages 15-24 seeking employment

Net migration rate

1.5 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2024 est.)

Median age

total: 46.4 years (2024 est.)

male: 44.3 years

female: 48.3 years

Maternal mortality ratio

12 deaths/100,000 live births (2020 est.)

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold

$35.243 billion (2023 est.)
$32.232 billion (2022 est.)
$32.535 billion (2021 est.)

note: holdings of gold (year-end prices)/foreign exchange/special drawing rights in current dollars

Public debt

125.7% of GDP (2017 est.)

note: data cover general government debt and include debt instruments issued (or owned) by government entities other than the treasury; the data include treasury debt held by foreign entities; the data include debt issued by subnational entities, as well as intragovernmental debt; intragovernmental debt consists of treasury borrowings from surpluses in the social funds, such as for retirement, medical care, and unemployment; debt instruments for the social funds are not sold at public auctions

Total fertility rate

1.45 children born/woman (2024 est.)

Unemployment rate

6.49% (2023 est.)
6.01% (2022 est.)
6.58% (2021 est.)

note: % of labor force seeking employment

Population

total: 10,207,177 (2024 est.)

male: 4,835,763

female: 5,371,414

Carbon dioxide emissions

38.272 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2023 est.)

from coal and metallurgical coke: 20,000 metric tonnes of CO2 (2023 est.)

from petroleum and other liquids: 29.525 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2023 est.)

from consumed natural gas: 8.727 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2023 est.)

Area

total : 92,090 sq km

land: 91,470 sq km

water: 620 sq km

note: includes Azores and Madeira Islands

Taxes and other revenues

22.89% (of GDP) (2022 est.)

note: central government tax revenue as a % of GDP

Real GDP (purchasing power parity)

$441.697 billion (2023 est.)
$430.813 billion (2022 est.)
$402.682 billion (2021 est.)

note: data in 2021 dollars

Airports

128 (2025)

Infant mortality rate

total: 2.4 deaths/1,000 live births (2024 est.)

male: 2.8 deaths/1,000 live births

female: 2.1 deaths/1,000 live births

Telephones - mobile cellular

total subscriptions: 12.8 million (2023 est.)

subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 125 (2022 est.)

Gini Index coefficient - distribution of family income

34.6 (2021 est.)

note: index (0-100) of income distribution; higher values represent greater inequality

Inflation rate (consumer prices)

4.31% (2023 est.)
7.83% (2022 est.)
1.27% (2021 est.)

note: annual % change based on consumer prices

Current account balance

$3.974 billion (2023 est.)
-$3.108 billion (2022 est.)
-$2.987 billion (2021 est.)

note: balance of payments - net trade and primary/secondary income in current dollars

Real GDP per capita

$41,800 (2023 est.)
$41,300 (2022 est.)
$38,900 (2021 est.)

note: data in 2021 dollars

Broadband - fixed subscriptions

total: 4.6 million (2023 est.)

subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 44 (2023 est.)

Tobacco use

total: 25.4% (2020 est.)

male: 30.5% (2020 est.)

female: 20.2% (2020 est.)

Obesity - adult prevalence rate

20.8% (2016)

Energy consumption per capita

73.285 million Btu/person (2023 est.)

Death rate

10.9 deaths/1,000 population (2024 est.)

Birth rate

8 births/1,000 population (2024 est.)

Electricity

installed generating capacity: 25.409 million kW (2023 est.)

consumption: 50.317 billion kWh (2023 est.)

exports: 3.422 billion kWh (2023 est.)

imports: 13.656 billion kWh (2023 est.)

transmission/distribution losses: 5.129 billion kWh (2023 est.)

Merchant marine

total: 888 (2023)

by type: bulk carrier 110, container ship 299, general cargo 191, oil tanker 29, other 259

Children under the age of 5 years underweight

0.4% (2015/16)

Imports

$133.006 billion (2023 est.)
$131.627 billion (2022 est.)
$112.413 billion (2021 est.)

note: balance of payments - imports of goods and services in current dollars

Exports

$136.589 billion (2023 est.)
$126.541 billion (2022 est.)
$105.648 billion (2021 est.)

note: balance of payments - exports of goods and services in current dollars

Heliports

65 (2025)

Telephones - fixed lines

total subscriptions: 5.505 million (2023 est.)

subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 53 (2023 est.)

Alcohol consumption per capita

total: 10.37 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)

beer: 2.62 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)

wine: 6.04 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)

spirits: 1.34 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)

other alcohols: 0.37 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)

Life expectancy at birth

total population: 81.9 years (2024 est.)

male: 78.8 years

female: 85.2 years

Real GDP growth rate

2.53% (2023 est.)
6.99% (2022 est.)
5.74% (2021 est.)

note: annual GDP % growth based on constant local currency

Industrial production growth rate

0.9% (2023 est.)

note: annual % change in industrial value added based on constant local currency

GDP - composition, by sector of origin

agriculture: 2.1% (2023 est.)

industry: 18.1% (2023 est.)

services: 66.8% (2023 est.)

note: figures may not total 100% due to non-allocated consumption not captured in sector-reported data

Revenue from forest resources

0.13% of GDP (2018 est.)

Revenue from coal

0% of GDP (2018 est.)

Education expenditures

5% of GDP (2020 est.)

Population growth rate

-0.14% (2024 est.)
Sources: