Net migration (UNICEF) in Portugal
Portugal: Net migration was 16,472 in 2025. ◆ Volatile
Latest (2025)
16,472
Change on year
down 20.2%
World rank
24th
of 74 countries
All-time high
69,606
in 2021
All-time low
-191,862
in 1970
Years of data
66
1960–2025
Net migration in Portugal, 1960–2025
Source: UNICEF.
Analysis
In 2025, net migration in Portugal stood at 16,472.
Compared with earlier readings it is down 20.2% on the previous year and up 613.3% over ten years.
Over the whole period, net migration in Portugal peaked at 69,606 in 2021 and was at its lowest, -191,862, in 1970.
Portugal ranks 24th of 74 countries on this measure, in the middle of the range.
The series is highly variable year to year, so single readings are best treated with caution.
Net migration in Portugal, year by year
| Year | Value | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1960 | -95,886 | — |
| 1961 | -112,768 | +17.6% |
| 1962 | -113,947 | +1.0% |
| 1963 | -116,874 | +2.6% |
| 1964 | -118,763 | +1.6% |
| 1965 | -123,855 | +4.3% |
| 1966 | -129,233 | +4.3% |
| 1967 | -136,232 | +5.4% |
| 1968 | -145,200 | +6.6% |
| 1969 | -161,114 | +11.0% |
| 1970 | -191,862 | +19.1% |
| 1971 | 48,944 | -125.5% |
| 1972 | 39,058 | -20.2% |
| 1973 | 39,748 | +1.8% |
| 1974 | 41,254 | +3.8% |
| 1975 | 42,262 | +2.4% |
| 1976 | 40,490 | -4.2% |
| 1977 | 37,779 | -6.7% |
| 1978 | 34,345 | -9.1% |
| 1979 | 32,434 | -5.6% |
| 1980 | 29,881 | -7.9% |
| 1981 | -7,938 | -126.6% |
| 1982 | -15,006 | +89.0% |
| 1983 | -16,568 | +10.4% |
| 1984 | -16,658 | +0.5% |
| 1985 | -19,183 | +15.2% |
| 1986 | -20,000 | +4.3% |
| 1987 | -23,142 | +15.7% |
| 1988 | -26,595 | +14.9% |
| 1989 | -30,615 | +15.1% |
| 1990 | -34,855 | +13.8% |
| 1991 | -37,914 | +8.8% |
| 1992 | -11,847 | -68.8% |
| 1993 | 8,561 | -172.3% |
| 1994 | 20,761 | +142.5% |
| 1995 | 26,971 | +29.9% |
| 1996 | 32,640 | +21.0% |
| 1997 | 36,922 | +13.1% |
| 1998 | 40,931 | +10.9% |
| 1999 | 49,572 | +21.1% |
| 2000 | 60,586 | +22.2% |
| 2001 | 55,565 | -8.3% |
| 2002 | 42,169 | -24.1% |
| 2003 | 24,740 | -41.3% |
| 2004 | 13,928 | -43.7% |
| 2005 | 15,537 | +11.6% |
| 2006 | 16,754 | +7.8% |
| 2007 | 21,064 | +25.7% |
| 2008 | 9,478 | -55.0% |
| 2009 | 14,532 | +53.3% |
| 2010 | -5,627 | -138.7% |
| 2011 | -31,513 | +460.0% |
| 2012 | -37,083 | +17.7% |
| 2013 | -36,342 | -2.0% |
| 2014 | -26,447 | -27.2% |
| 2015 | -3,209 | -87.9% |
| 2016 | -775 | -75.8% |
| 2017 | 13,979 | -1903.7% |
| 2018 | 22,495 | +60.9% |
| 2019 | 63,031 | +180.2% |
| 2020 | 54,076 | -14.2% |
| 2021 | 69,606 | +28.7% |
| 2022 | 68,696 | -1.3% |
| 2023 | 29,102 | -57.6% |
| 2024 | 20,648 | -29.0% |
| 2025 | 16,472 | -20.2% |
Portugal compared with similar countries
- Portugal's 16,472 is above the median for high income countries, which is 9,502, 1.7× the median. (42 countries reporting)
- Portugal's 16,472 is above the median for Europe & Central Asia, which is 158, 104.3× the median. (52 countries reporting)
Biggest year-on-year movements
Years where Net migration in Portugal changed far more than this series normally does. A large move can be a real event or a change in how the figure was measured — the source note below says who published it.
| Year | Change | From | To |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2017 | +1903.7% | -775 | 13,979 |
| 2011 | -460.0% | -5,627 | -31,513 |
| 2019 | +180.2% | 22,495 | 63,031 |
| 1993 | +172.3% | -11,847 | 8,561 |
| 1994 | +142.5% | 8,561 | 20,761 |
| 2010 | -138.7% | 14,532 | -5,627 |
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1960s | -125,387 | -161,114 | -95,886 | 10 |
| 1970s | 16,445 | -191,862 | 48,944 | 10 |
| 1980s | -14,582 | -30,615 | 29,881 | 10 |
| 1990s | 13,174 | -37,914 | 49,572 | 10 |
| 2000s | 27,435 | 9,478 | 60,586 | 10 |
| 2010s | -4,149 | -37,083 | 63,031 | 10 |
| 2020s | 43,100 | 16,472 | 69,606 | 6 |
Countries ranked near Portugal
More population data for Portugal
- Africa's Development Dynamics (AfDD) Table 05 - Demographic estimates 9,261 Persons (2050)
- Un population 2024 vs 2022, annual growth rate -0.4941 % change on previous year (2100)
- Population long run with projections, annual growth rate -0.0538 % change on previous year (2100)
- Urban and rural population 2050, annual growth rate -4.39 % change on previous year (2050)
- Population regions with projections, annual growth rate -0.0538 % change on previous year (2100)
- Population growth rate, by level of development -0.0% (2100)
- Number of children under 5, by world region 396,215 people (2100)
- Population density 95.56 people per km² (2100)
- World population growth -0.0% (2100)
- Projected population under age 5, annual growth rate 0.0558 % change on previous year (2100)
Frequently asked questions
- What is net migration in Portugal?
- Net migration in Portugal was 16,472 in 2025, according to UNICEF.
- What is the highest net migration recorded in Portugal?
- The highest recorded value was 69,606 in 2021.
- What is the lowest net migration recorded in Portugal?
- The lowest recorded value was -191,862 in 1970.
- How does Portugal rank for net migration?
- Portugal ranks 24th out of 74 countries with data for 2025.
- Is net migration rising or falling in Portugal?
- Over the last ten years it is up 613.3%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this Portugal data come from?
- The figures come from UNICEF, published as part of Net migration. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
Download this data
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