Portugal Industry Employment
Employment in industry SL.IND.EMPL.ZS
Portugal's industry employment was 24.55% in 2025, ranked 136th globally. This represents a 0.9% decrease from 2024. Data from World Bank, covering 1991–2025.
Overview
Portugal's industry employment stood at 24.55% in 2025, a decline of +0.21% from 2024. Based on recent trends, this figure is projected to reach 24.79% by 2026. Portugal ranked 136th globally.
Portugal's industry employment has experienced significant fluctuations over the past three and a half decades, with a notable decline from its peak in 1998 when 36.65% of the workforce was engaged in industry. This percentage has since hovered around the 24% mark, reaching a low of 23.86% in 2014, before rebounding to 24.55% in 2025. This recent value ranks Portugal at 136 globally, closely matched by peer countries such as Mexico with 24.52% and Uzbekistan with 24.61%. The country's industry employment percentages have largely tracked a downward trajectory, with a few minor upticks, suggesting a long-term decline in the sector's relative importance to the economy. A sustained increase in industrial production or investment could potentially alter this trend and push Portugal's industry employment percentage upwards, but for now, the sector continues to account for a relatively small share of the workforce.
Data & projection
| Year | Industry Employment | YoY change | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2028* trend | 24.75% | - | - |
| 2027* trend | 24.77% | - | - |
| 2026* trend | 24.79% | - | - |
| 2025 | 24.55% | −0.21% | #136 |
| 2024 | 24.76% | −0.71% | #138 |
| 2023 | 25.48% | +0.60% | #142 |
| 2022 | 24.87% | +0.27% | #139 |
| 2021 | 24.60% | +0.17% | #139 |
| 2020 | 24.43% | +0.27% | #139 |
| 2019 | 24.16% | −0.28% | #134 |
| 2018 | 24.44% | −0.01% | #135 |
| 2017 | 24.45% | +0.22% | #134 |
| 2016 | 24.22% | +0.03% | #133 |
| 2015 | 24.20% | +0.34% | #135 |
| 2014 | 23.86% | −0.09% | #133 |
| 2013 | 23.96% | −1.62% | #135 |
| 2012 | 25.58% | −1.77% | #149 |
| 2011 | 27.35% | −0.58% | #155 |
Detected Pattern
Analysis
Portugal matched the Export Boom Cycle pattern in 2024. Historically, 71% of countries showing this pattern (546 out of 768) saw industry employment improve within 24 months. View full analysis →
Frequently Asked Questions
Portugal's industry employment was 24.55% in 2025. Ranked 136th globally. This represents a 0.9% decrease from the previous year.
Portugal's industry employment peaked at 36.65% in 1998.
The lowest industry employment in Portugal was 23.86% in 2014.
Portugal ranks 136th globally in industry employment as of 2025.
The World Bank indicator code is SL.IND.EMPL.ZS. Data sourced from World Bank.
Portugal's industry employment is projected to reach 24.79% by 2026 based on trend extrapolation.
The industry employment of Portugal in 2025 was 24.55%. This ranks 136th in the world.
Cite this page
@misc{historysaid_portugal_industry-employment,
title = {Portugal Industry Employment},
url = {https://historysaid.com/portugal/industry-employment/},
publisher = {HistorySaid},
year = {2026}
}