Lisbon Hosts Nearly Half of Portugal's Unemployed Foreigners, Study Reveals

A recent study has uncovered that Lisbon is home to almost half of the unemployed foreign population in Portugal, highlighting the challenges and contributions of immigrants in the country's labor market. The research, titled "Myths and Realities About Migration and the Labor Market," was conducted by Randstad Research and sheds light on the dynamics between immigration and employment in Portugal.

Key Findings:

• Immigrants tend to fill vacancies in sectors with a shortage of national workers or those less sought after by Portuguese citizens, facing higher job insecurity.
• Lisbon accounts for 43.8% of unemployed foreigners, followed by the North (21.2%) and Algarve (14.3%).
• Foreign workers are overrepresented in sectors like agriculture, hospitality, and construction, where they make up a significant portion of the workforce compared to their Portuguese counterparts.
• Despite higher qualifications among immigrants, there's a notable underutilization of their skills, with many working in less qualified jobs.
• The study also points out the positive impact of immigrants on the Social Security system, with contributions outweighing the benefits received.

Demographic Insights:

• Portugal's foreign active population stood at 346,800 at the end of 2024, with 302,200 employed and 44,600 unemployed.
• More than half of the immigrant population is aged between 20 and 44, playing a crucial role in mitigating the country's demographic aging.

Challenges and Opportunities:

• Immigrants face higher rates of temporary and part-time employment, with 35.8% on temporary contracts compared to 15.9% of the total population.
• The study calls for better integration policies to fully leverage the potential of immigrants in addressing labor shortages and contributing to Portugal's economy.