Portugal Unemployment Rate
Unemployment as % of total labor force SL.UEM.TOTL.ZS
Portugal's unemployment rate was 6.16% in 2025, ranked 112th globally. This represents a 4.7% decrease from 2024. Data from World Bank, covering 1980–2025.
Overview
Portugal's unemployment rate stood at 6.16% in 2025, a decline of +0.30pp from 2024. The IMF projects 6.38% by 2025. Portugal ranked 112th globally.
Portugal's unemployment rate has experienced significant fluctuations over the past 46 years, with a notable peak of 16.24% in 2013 and a trough of 3.81% in 2000. Since then, the rate has gradually increased to its current level of 6.16%, ranking Portugal 112th globally. This trend is comparable to that of Romania, where the unemployment rate is currently 5.99%. Portugal's unemployment rate has been steadily declining since 2013, indicating a positive shift in the labor market. However, the rate remains above the all-time low of 2000, suggesting that the economy still faces challenges in terms of job creation and labor market participation. A sustained economic growth, driven by investments in key sectors such as technology and renewable energy, could potentially lead to a further decline in unemployment rates and alter the current trajectory.
Data & projection
| Year | Unemployment Rate | YoY change | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2030* IMF | 6.19% | - | - |
| 2029* IMF | 6.19% | - | - |
| 2028* IMF | 6.19% | - | - |
| 2027* IMF | 6.19% | - | - |
| 2026* IMF | 6.29% | - | - |
| 2025* IMF | 6.38% | - | - |
| 2025 | 6.16% | −0.30pp | #112 |
| 2024 | 6.50% | −0.08pp | #123 |
| 2023 | 6.50% | +0.31pp | #124 |
| 2022 | 6.14% | −0.59pp | #115 |
| 2021 | 6.71% | −0.39pp | #111 |
| 2020 | 6.85% | +0.22pp | #104 |
| 2019 | 6.42% | −0.75pp | #116 |
| 2018 | 6.97% | −2.28pp | #118 |
| 2017 | 8.88% | −2.39pp | #133 |
| 2016 | 11.06% | −1.80pp | #147 |
| 2015 | 12.41% | −2.14pp | #156 |
| 2014 | 13.88% | −3.34pp | #161 |
| 2013 | 16.24% | −0.40pp | #168 |
| 2012 | 15.51% | +1.92pp | #166 |
| 2011 | 12.72% | +1.21pp | #153 |
Detected Pattern
Analysis
Portugal matched the Export Boom Cycle pattern in 2024. Historically, 71% of countries showing this pattern (546 out of 768) saw unemployment rate improve within 24 months. View full analysis →
Frequently Asked Questions
Portugal's unemployment rate was 6.16% in 2025. Ranked 112th globally. This represents a 4.7% decrease from the previous year.
Portugal's unemployment rate peaked at 16.24% in 2013.
The lowest unemployment rate in Portugal was 3.81% in 2000.
Portugal ranks 112th globally in unemployment rate as of 2025.
The World Bank indicator code is SL.UEM.TOTL.ZS. Data sourced from World Bank.
Portugal's unemployment rate is projected to reach 6.38% by 2025 based on IMF projection.
The unemployment rate of Portugal in 2025 was 6.16%. This ranks 112th in the world.
Cite this page
@misc{historysaid_portugal_unemployment-rate,
title = {Portugal Unemployment Rate},
url = {https://historysaid.com/portugal/unemployment-rate/},
publisher = {HistorySaid},
year = {2026}
}