Portugal
Portugal is a Southern European nation located on the Iberian Peninsula, characterized by its long Atlantic coastline and rich maritime history. Current estimates show a population of approximately 10.9 million people, with the national economy producing a GDP per capita of 30,559 USD.
Where is Portugal?
Portugal
- Continent
- Europe
- Country
- Portugal
- Coordinates
- 39.50°, -8.00°
Population Details
- Population
- 11M
- Area
- 92,090 km²
- Density per km²
- 119 / km²
- Growth rate
- +1.10%
- Annual growth
- +119.7K people
- Daily growth
- +328.02 people
- World population share
- 0.13%
Population & Social Snapshot
Age structure, urbanization, and benchmark indicators for Portugal
Age Distribution
Urbanization
Health & Education Benchmarks
Quick Facts
- Capital
- Lisbon
- Region
- Europe
- Area
- 92,090 km²
- Languages
- Portuguese
- Currency
- euro (€)
- Timezones
- UTC-01:00, UTC
- UN Member
- Yes
Neighboring Countries
Economy
The Portuguese economy is expanding steadily, supported by an annual GDP growth rate of 2.1%. Current estimates place the unemployment rate at 6.2%, which ranks the country 74th globally for the lowest unemployment. Portugal holds a global ranking of 46th for total nominal GDP and 56th for GDP per capita, while ranking 18th within Europe for its total economic output. Key sectors driving this growth include tourism, renewable energy, and manufacturing, with the country being a world leader in cork production and an emerging hub for technology startups.
Society
Portugal maintains a high standard of living, with life expectancy at birth reaching 82.4 years, ranking 29th globally. The adult literacy rate is 94.5%, placing the nation 80th out of 170 countries according to the latest data. Digital connectivity is widespread, as 88.5% of the population are internet users, a figure that ranks 72nd in the world. Demographic trends indicate a fertility rate of 1.4 children per woman and a population density of 119.3 people per km² (309 people per sq mi).
Climate & Environment
Portugal experiences a Mediterranean climate with warm, dry summers and mild, rainy winters. The country covers 92090 km² (35556 sq mi) and features a coastline of 1793 km (1114 mi). Its highest point, Ponta do Pico, stands at 2351 m (7713 ft) in the Azores, influencing local weather patterns across the Atlantic archipelago.
Government & Politics
- Government Type
- semi-presidential republic
- Independence
- 1143 (Kingdom of Leon)
Portugal is a semi-presidential republic where executive power is shared between the President and the Prime Minister. The President serves as the Head of State, elected by popular vote to a five-year term, and holds significant powers such as the ability to veto legislation and dissolve the Assembly of the Republic. The Prime Minister, usually the leader of the majority party or coalition, serves as the Head of Government and oversees the daily administration of the state. Legislative authority is vested in the Assembly of the Republic, a unicameral parliament consisting of 230 members. The judicial system is independent, with the Constitutional Court ensuring that all laws align with the national constitution. Since the transition to democracy in the mid-1970s, the political landscape has been characterized by a stable multi-party system primarily led by the Socialist Party and the Social Democratic Party.
History
Portugal is one of the oldest nation-states in Europe, having established its borders and achieved independence from the Kingdom of Leon in 1143. During the 15th and 16th centuries, the country spearheaded the European Age of Discovery, establishing a vast global empire that spanned South America, Africa, and Asia. Explorers like Vasco da Gama opened critical maritime routes, bringing immense wealth and cultural influence to the Portuguese Crown. However, a catastrophic earthquake in November 1755 destroyed much of Lisbon, marking a significant turning point in the nation's political and economic trajectory. The 19th century brought political instability, eventually leading to the abolition of the monarchy and the establishment of a republic in October 1910. For much of the 20th century, from the early 1930s until 1974, Portugal was ruled by the authoritarian Estado Novo regime. This era ended with the peaceful Carnation Revolution on 25 April 1974, a military coup supported by mass civil resistance. This transition led to the rapid decolonization of overseas territories and the establishment of a modern democratic state. Portugal joined the European Union in 1986 and adopted the euro as its currency, fueling significant modernization and economic integration with the rest of the continent.
Notable Facts
- Portugal is the world's largest producer of cork, supplying over 50% of global demand from its extensive cork oak forests.
- The Vasco da Gama Bridge in Lisbon is one of the longest bridges in Europe, stretching over 12 km (7.5 mi) across the Tagus River.
- The archipelagoes of the Azores and Madeira are autonomous regions, with Ponta do Pico on Pico Island serving as the nation's highest point at 2351 m (7713 ft).
- Portugal possesses a vast coastline of 1793 km (1114 mi), hosting some of the world's premier surfing destinations and major maritime ports.
- The country's life expectancy of 82.38 years ranks 29th globally, reflecting a high-quality healthcare system and the benefits of a Mediterranean lifestyle.
Geography
- Highest Point
- Ponta do Pico (Pico or Pico Alto) on Ilha do Pico in the Azores (2,351 m)
- Lowest Point
- Atlantic Ocean (0 m)
- Coastline
- 1,793 km
Major Cities
Largest Cities in PortugalExplore weather and climate data for cities in Portugal
Climate & Weather
View full climate guideMonthly averages for Lisbon
| Month | Temp | Feels Like | Rain | Sun | Humidity | Status | Details |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 15°C / 10°C | 12°C / 7°C | 8days (57 mm) Wet | 7.8h Good | 80% Humid | Fair | View Details |
| February | 16°C / 11°C | 14°C / 8°C | 7days (52 mm) Good | 8.4h Good | 81% Humid | Good | View Details |
| March | 16°C / 11°C | 14°C / 9°C | 11days (77 mm) Wet | 10h Excellent | 78% Humid | Good | View Details |
| April | 18°C / 13°C | 17°C / 11°C | 9days (58 mm) Wet | 11.5h Excellent | 78% Humid | Good | View Details |
| May | 20°C / 15°C | 20°C / 13°C | 4days (23 mm) Good | 13.1h Excellent | 75% Muggy | Excellent | View Details |
| June best | 22°C / 17°C | 22°C / 15°C | 3days (12 mm) Excellent | 13.7h Excellent | 77% Humid | Excellent | View Details |
| July best | 24°C / 18°C | 25°C / 17°C | 0days (1 mm) Excellent | 13.6h Excellent | 74% Muggy | Excellent | View Details |
| August best | 24°C / 18°C | 25°C / 17°C | 0days (0 mm) Excellent | 12.6h Excellent | 78% Humid | Excellent | View Details |
| September best | 23°C / 18°C | 23°C / 17°C | 4days (35 mm) Good | 11.1h Excellent | 77% Humid | Excellent | View Details |
| October | 21°C / 16°C | 21°C / 16°C | 9days (67 mm) Wet | 9.1h Good | 81% Humid | Excellent | View Details |
| November | 18°C / 13°C | 16°C / 12°C | 8days (76 mm) Wet | 7.8h Good | 82% Humid | Good | View Details |
| December | 15°C / 11°C | 13°C / 9°C | 10days (88 mm) Wet | 7.5h Good | 83% Humid | Good | View Details |
Temperature
Line chart showing monthly temperatures. Jan: 15°C / 10°C . Feb: 16°C / 11°C . Mar: 16°C / 11°C . Apr: 18°C / 13°C . May: 20°C / 15°C . Jun: 22°C / 17°C . Jul: 24°C / 18°C . Aug: 24°C / 18°C . Sep: 23°C / 18°C . Oct: 21°C / 16°C . Nov: 18°C / 13°C . Dec: 15°C / 11°C .
Rainfall
Bar chart showing monthly rainfall. Jan: 57 mm. Feb: 52 mm. Mar: 77 mm. Apr: 58 mm. May: 23 mm. Jun: 12 mm. Jul: 1 mm. Aug: 0 mm. Sep: 35 mm. Oct: 67 mm. Nov: 76 mm. Dec: 88 mm.
Frequently Asked Questions
The population of Portugal is approximately 11M (2024).
The capital of Portugal is Lisbon.
Portugal's GDP per capita is $30.6K (2024).
Life expectancy in Portugal is 82.38 years (2024).
Portugal covers 92,090 km² (35,556 sq mi).
Portugal has a moderate population density of 119 people per km², close to the global average of 60.
Portugal's population is growing steadily at 1.1% per year, in line with global averages.
Yes — based on GDP per capita, Portugal falls in the high GDP-per-person tier at $30.6K. Official World Bank income groups use Atlas-method GNI per capita, so this is a GDP-based comparison rather than an official income-group label.
Portugal reports a very low intentional homicide rate of 0.7 per 100,000 people — among the safest in the world by this measure.
The official language of Portugal is Portuguese.
Portugal uses the euro (€) as its sole official currency.
The best months to visit Portugal are June, July, August, September, based on climate data for the capital.
Current estimates show that Portugal has a population of approximately 10.9 million people. This reflects a recent annual growth rate of 1.1%, placing the country 89th globally in terms of total population. The majority of residents live in urban centers, which account for 61.3% of the total population.
The current estimated GDP per capita in Portugal is 30,559 USD. This figure ranks the nation 56th globally and 29th within Europe. Economic growth remains steady at an annual rate of 2.1%, supported by strong performance in the services, tourism, and manufacturing sectors across the country.
Life expectancy in Portugal is 82.4 years, which ranks the country 29th globally according to the latest available data. This high ranking reflects the nation's robust healthcare system and the benefits of a Mediterranean lifestyle. It is one of the highest life expectancy figures in Southern Europe.
The current unemployment rate in Portugal is 6.2%. This performance ranks the country 74th out of 186 nations globally for the lowest unemployment. The labor market has shown resilience, with job opportunities driven by tourism, technology, and traditional industries like textile manufacturing and cork processing.
Approximately 88.5% of the population in Portugal are internet users, ranking the country 72nd globally for digital connectivity. This high level of access supports a modern economy and enables widespread use of digital services in both urban areas and the Atlantic island territories.
The adult literacy rate in Portugal is 94.5%. According to the latest global rankings, the country occupies the 80th position out of 170 nations. While this indicates a strong educational foundation, the government continues to prioritize vocational training and higher education to meet modern economic demands.
Portugal currently ranks #89 in the world out of 215 countries and territories. In Europe, it holds the 13th position among 47 nations, and it is the 3rd largest country in the Southern Europe subregion. This placement reflects its status as a medium-sized European nation by population.
The estimated 2026 population density is 119.3 people per km² (309.0 people per sq mi). This is an increase from the official 2023 density of 115.5 people per km² (299.1 people per sq mi). Population is most dense in coastal urban centers, while the interior regions are significantly more sparse.
Yes, Portugal's population is currently growing at an annual rate of approximately 1.1%. While deaths currently outnumber births in the country, this natural decrease is being offset by a positive net migration rate. The country sees an estimated net gain of 321 people per day when migration is included.
The latest official fertility rate in Portugal is 1.41 births per woman. This is below the replacement level of 2.1, indicating that the population would naturally decline without external migration. This rate is characteristic of the low-fertility trend seen across much of Southern Europe over recent decades.
Approximately 61.3% of Portugal's population lives in urban areas according to the latest official data. This urbanization is heavily concentrated in the Lisbon and Porto metropolitan areas. This leaves a significant portion of the population in rural or semi-rural regions, particularly in the mountainous and southern interior areas.
On average, there are an estimated 231 births and 325 deaths every day in Portugal. This results in a natural decrease of 94 people per day. However, when including migration, the total population is estimated to increase by approximately 321 people every day.
All Indicators
Explore Portugal's data across 50+ indicators
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