CapitalLisbon
Population10,194,277
Area92,090 km²
GDP per capita$41,900
LanguagesPortuguese , Mirandese
Currencyeuros
Life Expectancy81.9 yr
Governmentsemi-presidential system
Introduction
Background
During the 15th and 16th centuries, Portugal was a prominent maritime nation. However, it experienced a significant decline in wealth and influence following the catastrophic earthquake that devastated Lisbon in 1755, the occupation during the Napoleonic Wars, and the loss of Brazil, its most affluent colony, which gained independence in 1822. A revolution in 1910 led to the overthrow of the monarchy, and for the subsequent six decades, the country was governed by authoritarian regimes. In 1974, a military coup with leftist ideologies initiated extensive democratic reforms. The subsequent year, Portugal granted independence to all of its African territories. Additionally, Portugal is a founding member of NATO and became part of the European Community (now the EU) in 1986.
Geography
Area
land
91,470 sq km
water
620 sq km
total
92,090 sq km
Climate
maritime temperate; characterized by cooler, wetter conditions in the north and warmer, drier conditions in the south
Terrain
The Tagus River, which flows westward, splits the nation: the northern region is mountainous towards the interior, while the southern region is marked by rolling plains
Land use
other
5.7% (2023 est.)
forest
36.6% (2023 est.)
agricultural land
43.3% (2023 est.)
agricultural land: arable land
arable land: 10.1% (2023 est.)
agricultural land: permanent crops
permanent crops: 9.6% (2023 est.)
agricultural land: permanent pasture
permanent pasture: 23.6% (2023 est.)
Location
Located in Southwestern Europe, adjacent to the North Atlantic Ocean, and positioned to the west of Spain
Coastline
1,793 km
Elevation
lowest point
Atlantic Ocean 0 m
highest point
Ponta do Pico, also known as Pico or Pico Alto, on Ilha do Pico in the Azores, stands at 2,351 meters
mean elevation
372 m
Irrigated land
5,662 sq km (2019)
Map references
Europe
Land boundaries
total
1,224 km
border countries
Spain 1,224 km
Maritime claims
contiguous zone
24 nm
territorial sea
12 nm
continental shelf
200-m depth or to the depth of exploitation
exclusive economic zone
200 nm
Natural hazards
The Azores experience significant seismic activity
volcanism: there is minimal volcanic activity in the Azores Islands; the last eruption of Fayal or Faial (1,043 m) occurred in 1958; most volcanoes have remained dormant for centuries; historically active sites include Agua de Pau, Furnas, Pico, the Picos Volcanic System, San Jorge, Sete Cidades, and Terceira
Geography - note
The Azores and Madeira Islands hold strategic positions along the western maritime routes leading to the Strait of Gibraltar; they represent two of the four North Atlantic archipelagos that constitute Macaronesia, alongside the Canary Islands (Spain) and Cabo Verde
Natural resources
resources include fish, forests (cork), iron ore, copper, zinc, tin, tungsten, silver, gold, uranium, marble, clay, gypsum, salt, arable land, and hydropower
Area - comparative
slightly smaller in size than Virginia
Geographic coordinates
39 30 N, 8 00 W
Population distribution
population concentrations are mainly situated along or adjacent to the Atlantic coast; both the capital city, Lisbon, and the second largest city, Porto, are located on the coast
People & Society
Languages
Portuguese (official), Mirandese (official, though used locally)
Religions
Catholic 68.1%, not applicable 12.9%, no religion 12.0%, no response 2.2%, Protestant 1.8%, other 1.0%; less than 1%: other Christians, Orthodox, Muslim (2021 estimate)
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
total population
0.9 male(s)/female (2024 est.)
65 years and over
0.66 male(s)/female
Birth rate
8.03 births/1,000 population (2025 est.)
Death rate
10.92 deaths/1,000 population (2025 est.)
Median age
male
44.3 years
total
46.8 years (2025 est.)
female
48.3 years
Population
male
4,831,166
total
10,194,277 (2025 est.)
female
5,363,111
Nationality
noun
Portuguese (singular and plural)
adjective
Portuguese
Tobacco use
male
26.1% (2025 est.)
total
20.7% (2025 est.)
female
15.9% (2025 est.)
Urbanization
urban population
67.9% of total population (2023)
rate of urbanization
0.44% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.)
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)
Ethnic groups
Portuguese 95%; citizens from former Portuguese colonies in Africa, Asia (Han Chinese), and South America (Brazilian) along with other foreign nationals 5%
Dependency ratios
total dependency ratio
54.3 (2025 est.)
youth dependency ratio
19.3 (2025 est.)
potential support ratio
2.9 (2025 est.)
elderly dependency ratio
35 (2025 est.)
Physician density
5.85 physicians/1,000 population (2022)
Health expenditure
Health expenditure (as % of GDP)
10.6% of GDP (2022)
Health expenditure (as % of national budget)
14.8% of national budget (2022 est.)
Net migration rate
1.78 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2025 est.)
Hospital bed density
3.5 beds/1,000 population (2020 est.)
Total fertility rate
1.46 children born/woman (2025 est.)
Drinking water source
improved: rural
rural: 97.9% of population (2022 est.)
improved: total
total: 99.3% of population (2022 est.)
improved: urban
urban: 99.9% of population (2022 est.)
unimproved: rural
rural: 2.1% of population (2022 est.)
unimproved: total
total: 0.7% of population (2022 est.)
unimproved: urban
urban: 0.1% of population (2022 est.)
Education expenditure
Education expenditure (% GDP)
4.6% of GDP (2022 est.)
Education expenditure (% national budget)
10.4% national budget (2022 est.)
Infant mortality rate
male
2.8 deaths/1,000 live births
total
2.4 deaths/1,000 live births (2025 est.)
female
2.1 deaths/1,000 live births
Population growth rate
-0.11% (2025 est.)
Gross reproduction rate
0.71 (2025 est.)
Population distribution
populations are mainly located along or near the Atlantic shoreline; both Lisbon and Porto, the second largest city, are situated on the coast
Life expectancy at birth
male
78.8 years
female
85.2 years
total population
81.9 years (2024 est.)
Maternal mortality ratio
15 deaths/100,000 live births (2023 est.)
Sanitation facility access
improved: rural
rural: 100% of population (2022 est.)
improved: total
total: 100% of population (2022 est.)
improved: urban
urban: 100% of population (2022 est.)
unimproved: rural
rural: 0% of population (2022 est.)
unimproved: total
total: 0% of population (2022 est.)
unimproved: urban
urban: 0% of population (2022 est.)
Alcohol consumption per capita
beer
2.62 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)
wine
6.04 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)
total
10.37 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.)
Major urban areas - population
3.001 million LISBON (capital), 1.325 million Porto (2023)
Obesity - adult prevalence rate
20.8% (2016)
Mother's mean age at first birth
29.9 years (2020 est.)
Currently married women (ages 15-49)
50.6% (2021 est.)
Children under the age of 5 years underweight
0.9% (2016 est.)
School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education)
male
17 years (2022 est.)
total
18 years (2022 est.)
female
18 years (2022 est.)
Environment
Climate
maritime temperate; cooler and wetter in the north, while the south experiences a warmer and drier climate
Geoparks
global geoparks and regional networks
Açores; Arouca; Estrela; Naturtejo da Meseta Meridional; Oeste; Terras de Cavaleiros (2024)
total global geoparks and regional networks
6 (2024)
Land use
other
5.7% (2023 est.)
forest
36.6% (2023 est.)
agricultural land
43.3% (2023 est.)
agricultural land: arable land
arable land: 10.1% (2023 est.)
agricultural land: permanent crops
permanent crops: 9.6% (2023 est.)
agricultural land: permanent pasture
permanent pasture: 23.6% (2023 est.)
Urbanization
urban population
67.9% of total population (2023)
rate of urbanization
0.44% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.)
Waste and recycling
municipal solid waste generated annually
5.268 million tons (2024 est.)
percent of municipal solid waste recycled
23.5% (2022 est.)
Environmental issues
erosion of soil; atmospheric contamination from industrial activities and vehicular emissions; pollution of water sources, particularly in metropolitan areas and coastal regions
Total water withdrawal
municipal
920.03 million cubic meters (2022 est.)
industrial
1.83 billion cubic meters (2022 est.)
agricultural
3.419 billion cubic meters (2022 est.)
Carbon dioxide emissions
total emissions
38.272 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2023 est.)
from consumed natural gas
8.727 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.)
Particulate matter emissions
7.6 micrograms per cubic meter (2019 est.)
Total renewable water resources
77.4 billion cubic meters (2022 est.)
International environmental 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
Government
Flag
description: consists of two vertical stripes, one green (on the left, occupying two-fifths) and one red (occupying three-fifths), with the national coat of arms (featuring an armillary sphere and national shield) located at the center along the dividing line
meaning: while the interpretations of the colors are not definitive, a common understanding suggests that green represents hope and red signifies the blood of those who defended the country
Capital
name
Lisbon
etymology
the etymology of the name remains uncertain; some attribute it to the mythical Greek hero Ulysses, while others suggest it originates from the Phoenician term alis-ubbo, translating to "joyful bay"
time zone note
Portugal operates under two time zones, which include the Azores (UTC-1)
time difference
UTC 0 (5 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time)
daylight saving time
+1 hour, commencing on the last Sunday of March and concluding on the last Sunday of October
geographic coordinates
38 43 N, 9 08 W
Suffrage
18 years of age; universal
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 for applicants from Portuguese-speaking nations
Constitution
history
several prior versions; the most recent was adopted on 2 April 1976 and became effective on 25 April 1976
amendment process
proposed by the Assembly of the Republic; to be adopted, it requires a two-thirds majority vote from the Assembly members
Country name
etymology
the name is derived from the Roman term "Portus Cale," which means "Port of Cale;" Cale was situated in what is now northern Portugal, and its name is believed to originate from the Latin word calere (to be warm) as the harbor remained ice-free
local long form
Republica Portuguesa
local short form
Portugal
conventional long form
Portuguese Republic
conventional short form
Portugal
Independence
1143 (Kingdom of Portugal acknowledged); 1 December 1640 (independence regained after 60 years under Spanish rule); 5 October 1910 (declaration of the republic)
Legal system
civil law framework; the Constitutional Court evaluates legislative actions
Government type
semi-presidential system
Judicial branch
highest court(s)
Supreme Court or Supremo Tribunal de Justiça (composed of 12 justices); Constitutional Court or Tribunal Constitucional (comprising 13 judges)
subordinate courts
Supreme Administrative Court (Supremo Tribunal Administrativo); Audit Court (Tribunal de Contas); includes appellate, district, and municipal courts
judge selection and term of office
Supreme Court justices are nominated by the president and confirmed by the Assembly of the Republic; judges may serve for life; Constitutional Court judges consist of 10 elected by the Assembly and 3 chosen by the other judges of the Constitutional Court, with judges serving 6-year nonrenewable terms
Executive branch
cabinet
Council of Ministers appointed by the president on the recommendation of the prime minister
chief of state
President Marcelo REBELO DE SOUSA (since 9 March 2016)
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%
head of government
Prime Minister Antonio Luis MONTENEGRO (since 2 April 2024)
most recent election date
24 January 2021
election/appointment process
the president is elected directly by an absolute-majority popular vote in two rounds, if necessary, for a term of 5 years (eligible for re-election for a second term); typically, after legislative elections, the president appoints the leader of the majority party or coalition as prime minister
expected date of next election
January 2026
National holiday
Portugal Day (Dia de Portugal), 10 June (1580)
National color(s)
red, green
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)
Political parties
Democratic Alliance or AD (2024 electoral coalition in the Azores, which 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 (previously known as 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 (Coligação Democrática Unitária) or CDU (includes PCP and PEV) (2024)
Legislative branch
term in office
4 years
number of seats
230 (all directly elected)
electoral system
proportional representation
legislature name
Assembly of the Republic (Assembleia da Republica)
scope of elections
full renewal
legislative structure
unicameral
most recent election date
5/18/2025
expected date of next election
September 2029
percentage of women in chamber
35.7%
parties elected and seats per party
Social Democratic Party (PPD/PSD) - Democratic and Social Centre - People's Party (CDS-PP) (88); Chega (CH) (60); Socialist Party (PS) (58); Other (24)
National anthem(s)
title
"A Portugesa" (The Song of the Portuguese)
history
adopted in 1911; initially composed as a response to the Portuguese monarchy's compliance with the 1890 British ultimatum demanding that Portugal relinquish territories in Africa
lyrics/music
Henrique LOPES DE MENDOCA/Alfredo KEIL
National symbol(s)
armillary sphere (a spherical astrolabe for modeling objects in the sky)
Administrative divisions
comprises 18 districts (distritos, singular - distrito) and 2 autonomous regions* (regiões autónomas, singular - região autónoma); these include Aveiro, Acores (Azores)*, Beja, Braga, Bragança, Castelo Branco, Coimbra, Évora, Faro, Guarda, Leiria, Lisboa (Lisbon), Madeira*, Portalegre, Porto, Santarém, Setúbal, Viana do Castelo, Vila Real, Viseu
Diplomatic representation in the US
FAX
[1] (202) 462-3726
chancery
2012 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20036
telephone
[1] (202) 350-5400
consulate(s)
New Bedford (MA), Providence (RI)
chief of mission
Ambassador Francisco Antonio DUARTE LOPES (since 7 June 2022)
consulate(s) general
Boston, Newark (NJ), New York, San Francisco
email address and website
[email protected]
https://washingtondc.embaixadaportugal.mne.gov.pt/en/
Diplomatic representation from the US
FAX
[351] (21) 726-9109
embassy
Avenida das Forcas Armadas, 1600-081 Lisboa
telephone
[351] (21) 727-3300
consulate(s)
Ponta Delgada (Azores)
mailing address
5320 Lisbon Place, Washington DC 20521-5320
chief of mission
Ambassador John Joseph ARRIGO (since 30 September 2025)
email address and website
[email protected]
https://pt.usembassy.gov/
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
International law organization participation
accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction with certain reservations; acknowledges ICCt jurisdiction
Economy
Budget
revenues
$112.802 billion (2023 est.)
expenditures
$109.044 billion (2023 est.)
Exports
Exports 2022
$126.953 billion (2022 est.)
Exports 2023
$137.934 billion (2023 est.)
Exports 2024
$144.237 billion (2024 est.)
Imports
Imports 2022
$132.193 billion (2022 est.)
Imports 2023
$133.617 billion (2023 est.)
Imports 2024
$136.976 billion (2024 est.)
Industries
textiles, apparel, footwear, wood and cork products, paper and pulp, chemicals, fuels and lubricants, automobiles and parts, base metals, minerals, porcelain and ceramics, glassware, technology, telecommunications; dairy items, wine, other food products; shipbuilding and refurbishment; tourism, plastics, financial services, optics
Labor force
5.464 million (2024 est.)
Public debt
Public debt 2017
125.7% of GDP (2017 est.)
Remittances
Remittances 2022
0.6% of GDP (2022 est.)
Remittances 2023
0.6% of GDP (2023 est.)
Remittances 2024
0.6% of GDP (2024 est.)
Exchange rates
Currency
euros (EUR) per US dollar -
Exchange rates 2020
0.876 (2020 est.)
Exchange rates 2021
0.845 (2021 est.)
Exchange rates 2022
0.95 (2022 est.)
Exchange rates 2023
0.925 (2023 est.)
Exchange rates 2024
0.924 (2024 est.)
Economic overview
high-income economy within the EU and eurozone; robust services sector driven by tourism and banking; competitive labor market; economic growth fueled by private consumption, trade surplus, and public investment from EU resources; decreasing public debt
Unemployment rate
Unemployment rate 2022
6.1% (2022 est.)
Unemployment rate 2023
6.6% (2023 est.)
Unemployment rate 2024
6.4% (2024 est.)
Exports - partners
Spain 21%, France 11%, Germany 10%, USA 8%, UK 5% (2023)
Imports - partners
Spain 33%, Germany 11%, France 7%, Netherlands 5%, China 5% (2023)
Real GDP per capita
Real GDP per capita 2022
$41,100 (2022 est.)
Real GDP per capita 2023
$41,600 (2023 est.)
Real GDP per capita 2024
$41,900 (2024 est.)
Real GDP growth rate
Real GDP growth rate 2022
7% (2022 est.)
Real GDP growth rate 2023
2.6% (2023 est.)
Real GDP growth rate 2024
1.9% (2024 est.)
Agricultural products
milk, tomatoes, olives, grapes, maize, pork, potatoes, chicken, apples, oranges (2023)
Exports - commodities
cars, garments, vehicle parts/accessories, unpackaged medicine, refined petroleum (2023)
Imports - commodities
cars, crude petroleum, vehicle parts/accessories, refined petroleum, garments (2023)
Current account balance
Current account balance 2022
-$5.356 billion (2022 est.)
Current account balance 2023
$1.624 billion (2023 est.)
Current account balance 2024
$6.708 billion (2024 est.)
Taxes and other revenues
22.8% (of GDP) (2023 est.)
GDP (official exchange rate)
$308.683 billion (2024 est.)
GDP - composition, by end use
household consumption
62% (2023 est.)
government consumption
16.8% (2023 est.)
investment in inventories
0.4% (2023 est.)
investment in fixed capital
20.1% (2023 est.)
exports of goods and services
47.5% (2023 est.)
imports of goods and services
-46.4% (2023 est.)
Population below poverty line
16.4% (2021 est.)
Average household expenditures
on food
17.3% of household expenditures (2023 est.)
on alcohol and tobacco
3.1% of household expenditures (2023 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices)
Inflation rate (consumer prices) 2022
7.8% (2022 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices) 2023
4.3% (2023 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices) 2024
2.4% (2024 est.)
Industrial production growth rate
1.2% (2024 est.)
Real GDP (purchasing power parity)
Real GDP (purchasing power parity) 2022
$428.547 billion (2022 est.)
Real GDP (purchasing power parity) 2023
$439.745 billion (2023 est.)
Real GDP (purchasing power parity) 2024
$448.226 billion (2024 est.)
Youth unemployment rate (ages 15-24)
male
21.6% (2024 est.)
total
21.2% (2024 est.)
female
20.7% (2024 est.)
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold 2022
$32.232 billion (2022 est.)
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold 2023
$35.243 billion (2023 est.)
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold 2024
$42.434 billion (2024 est.)
GDP - composition, by sector of origin
industry
18.4% (2024 est.)
services
66.4% (2024 est.)
agriculture
2% (2024 est.)
Household income or consumption by percentage share
lowest 10%
2.5% (2022 est.)
highest 10%
28.8% (2022 est.)
Gini Index coefficient - distribution of family income
Gini Index coefficient - distribution of family income 2022
36.3 (2022 est.)
Energy
Coal
exports
1 metric tons (2023 est.)
imports
6,000 metric tons (2023 est.)
consumption
7,000 metric tons (2023 est.)
proven reserves
3 million metric tons (2023 est.)
Petroleum
total petroleum production
8,000 bbl/day (2023 est.)
refined petroleum consumption
204,000 bbl/day (2024 est.)
Electricity
exports
3.422 billion kWh (2023 est.)
imports
13.656 billion kWh (2023 est.)
consumption
50.317 billion kWh (2023 est.)
installed generating capacity
25.409 million kW (2023 est.)
transmission/distribution losses
5.129 billion kWh (2023 est.)
Natural gas
imports
4.251 billion cubic meters (2023 est.)
consumption
4.325 billion cubic meters (2023 est.)
Electricity access
electrification - total population
100% (2022 est.)
Energy consumption per capita
Total energy consumption per capita 2023
73.285 million Btu/person (2023 est.)
Electricity generation sources
wind
29% of total installed capacity (2023 est.)
solar
12.6% of total installed capacity (2023 est.)
geothermal
0.4% of total installed capacity (2023 est.)
fossil fuels
25.7% of total installed capacity (2023 est.)
hydroelectricity
24.7% of total installed capacity (2023 est.)
biomass and waste
7.6% of total installed capacity (2023 est.)
Communications
Internet users
percent of population
86% (2023 est.)
Broadcast media
Radio e Televisao de Portugal, the state-owned television broadcaster, manages 4 domestic channels along with external service channels aimed at Africa; approximately 40 domestic television stations; extensive availability of international broadcasters, with over half of households subscribed to multi-channel cable or satellite television services; the publicly owned radio sector operates 3 national networks and offers regional and external services; in addition, there are several privately owned national radio stations and nearly 300 regional and local commercial radio stations.
Internet country code
.pt
Telephones - fixed lines
total subscriptions
5.505 million (2023 est.)
subscriptions per 100 inhabitants
53 (2023 est.)
Telephones - mobile cellular
total subscriptions
12.9 million (2024 est.)
subscriptions per 100 inhabitants
124 (2024 est.)
Broadband - fixed subscriptions
total
4.6 million (2023 est.)
subscriptions per 100 inhabitants
44 (2023 est.)
Transportation
Ports
large
3
small
4
medium
2
key ports
Aveiro, Funchal, Lagos, Lisboa, Sines
very small
9
total ports
18 (2024)
ports with oil terminals
5
Airports
128 (2025)
Railways
total
2,526 km (2020) 1,696 km electrified
Heliports
65 (2025)
Merchant marine
total
888 (2023)
by type
bulk carrier: 110, container ship: 299, general cargo: 191, oil tanker: 29, other: 259
Civil aircraft registration country code prefix
CR, CS
Military & Security
Military - note
The military of Portugal is tasked with external defense, humanitarian missions, and upholding the country's obligations to European and global security; maritime security has historically been a crucial aspect of its operations, with Portugal possessing one of the oldest navies worldwide.
In 1949, Portugal was among the founding signatories of the North Atlantic Treaty, commonly referred to as the Washington Treaty, which established NATO. This alliance represents a fundamental element of Portugal's defense strategy. Additionally, Portugal is a participant in the EU’s Common Security and Defense Policy, frequently engaging in various deployments under EU, NATO, and UN auspices globally. The primary military contributions encompass air, land, and naval forces tasked with NATO-led operations and standing task forces located in the Baltics, Eastern Europe, and the Mediterranean Sea. The military also conducts joint exercises with NATO allies (2025).
Military deployments
The Portuguese Armed Forces have over 1,100 personnel stationed internationally, involved in missions that support the EU, NATO, the UN, and allied nations. Significant deployments include 225 troops in the Central African Republic under UN auspices and approximately 350 troops aiding NATO's forward presence in Lithuania and Romania. The military also engages in NATO air policing and maritime patrol operations (2025).
Military expenditures
Military Expenditures 2021
1.5% of GDP (2021 est.)
Military Expenditures 2022
1.4% of GDP (2022 est.)
Military Expenditures 2023
1.3% of GDP (2023 est.)
Military Expenditures 2024
1.6% of GDP (2024 est.)
Military Expenditures 2025
2% of GDP (2025 est.)
Military and security forces
Portuguese Armed Forces (Forças Armadas Portuguesa): Portuguese Army (Exército Português), Portuguese Navy (Marinha Portuguesa; encompasses the Marine Corps, known as Corpo de Fuzileiros or Corps of Fusiliers), Portuguese Air Force (Força Aérea Portuguesa, FAP).
Ministry of Internal Administration: Public Security Police (Polícia de Segurança Pública, PSP), National Republican Guard (Guarda Nacional Republicana, GNR) (2025).
Military service age and obligation
Individuals aged 18 to 30 may engage in voluntary or contractual military service, with the upper age limit varying by branch, position, or role; compulsory military service was abolished in 2004, although conscription could be enacted if there are insufficient volunteers. Initial contract service spans 2-6 years, extendable to a maximum of 20 years; voluntary military service begins with a duration of 12 months; reserve duty extends until the age of 35 (2025).
Military equipment inventories and acquisitions
The military's arsenal primarily consists of weapon systems sourced from Europe and the United States, supplemented by a smaller inventory of domestically manufactured equipment. Portugal's defense sector is particularly recognized for its shipbuilding capabilities (2025).
Military and security service personnel strengths
Approximately 25,000 individuals are active-duty military personnel (2025).
Terrorism
Terrorist group(s)
Islamic State of Iraq and ash-Sham (ISIS)
Transnational Issues
Refugees and internally displaced persons
IDPs
21 (2024 est.)
refugees
71,166 (2024 est.)
stateless persons
31 (2024 est.)
Space
Space launch site(s)
In August 2025, a commercial consortium was granted a license by Portugal to construct and manage a space launch facility on the island of Santa Maria, located in the Azores; the inaugural orbital launches are anticipated to take place in 2027 (2025)
Space agency/agencies
The Portuguese Space Agency (Agência Espacial Portuguesa; also known as Portugal Space; founded in 2019) (2025)
Space program overview
Primarily concentrates on the procurement and management of satellites; investigates and creates various space-related technologies, particularly focusing on small satellites for remote sensing (RS), navigation, science/technology, and telecommunications, in addition to satellite launch services; the space initiative is integrated with the ESA and participates in multiple ESA and EU space programs; collaborates with the space agencies and industries of several nations, including Algeria, Angola, Brazil, China, India, Japan, Morocco, South Korea, and the United States; also engages with international organizations and initiatives such as the Europe South Observatory and the Square Kilometer Array; an aim of the national space strategy is to enhance the commercial space sector of the country (2025)
Key space-program milestones
1993 - the first technology demonstrator microsatellite (PoSat-1) was launched aboard a European rocket
2000 - became a member of the ESA
2020 - initiated a strategic plan for space advancement (Portugal Space 2030), which encompassed the construction of a spaceport, the development of a reusable rocket/satellite launch vehicle, the expansion of the domestic commercial space sector, and the establishment of a constellation of Earth observation/remote sensing satellites
2024 - the first Portuguese communications satellite (PoSat-2) was launched by the US as part of a proposed constellation of 12 satellites for ocean monitoring and maritime communication
2026 - signed the US-led Artemis Accords, which detail best practices for responsible exploration in space
