Immigrant Workers Are Helping Keep Portugal’s Workforce Young, New Data Shows

Lisbon, Portugal — New labour market data shows that immigrant workers in Portugal are much younger than Portuguese workers, playing a key role in supporting the country’s ageing workforce and economy.

According to recent analysis based on official data from Instituto Nacional de Estatística (INE) and AIMA, the median age of immigrant workers is 33 years, while the median age of Portuguese workers is 42 years. This means immigrant workers are, on average, nine years younger.This age gap is becoming increasingly important for Portugal, which is facing one of the fastest population-ageing processes in Europe.

A Younger Workforce in an Ageing Country

Portugal has a growing number of older workers and retirees, while fewer young Portuguese are entering the labour market. In this context, immigration has become a key factor in keeping the workforce active and productive.

More than 85% of immigrants living in Portugal are of working age, compared with a much lower share among the Portuguese population. This helps explain why companies in several sectors rely heavily on foreign workers.Immigrants are most present in:Construction,Tourism and hospitality,Agriculture,Restaurants and cleaning services,Transport and delivery,Technology and support services.Many of these sectors have struggled for years to attract enough Portuguese workers.

 

Why This Age Difference Matters

A younger workforce brings several advantages:More people available to work.Higher economic activity.Greater contribution to social security.Better support for pensions and public services.Without immigration, experts warn that Portugal’s labour force would already be shrinking, making it harder to sustain economic growth.

Studies show that recent growth in employment has happened mainly because of immigrant workers, not because of an increase in the Portuguese working-age population.Despite their importance, many immigrant workers face difficulties:Temporary or unstable contracts.Lower wages.Higher risk of poverty, even while employed.Delays in immigration and residence processes.Experts argue that keeping the workforce young is not enough. Better integration, fair working conditions, and legal stability are essential to ensure long-term benefits for both immigrants and Portuguese society.

A Key Role in Portugal’s Future

As Portugal debates new labour and immigration policies, the message from the data is clear: immigrant workers are not replacing Portuguese workers they are supporting the system.

With an ageing population and ongoing labour shortages, immigration is becoming structural, not temporary. Policymakers face the challenge of balancing economic needs with social protection and integration.

The nine-year age difference between immigrant and Portuguese workers highlights a simple reality: Portugal’s workforce is younger because of immigration.

As the country looks to the future, immigrant workers will continue to play a central role in keeping the economy running, filling labour gaps, and supporting public systems in an ageing society.

This article is based on official Portuguese data (INE and AIMA) and recent labour market analysis. Figures refer mainly to 2023, the most recent consolidated data available.