According to figures shared with Jornal de Notícias by the Portuguese Agency for Integration, Migration and Asylum (AIMA) in May 2024, more than 1 million foreign citizens lived in Portugal in 2023: the highest number of migrants ever recorded as living in the country, and a figure that represents a growth of 130% compared to 2022. 

This data is still provisional, but the figures show that over the last 5 years the number of immigrants in the country has practically doubled.

Portugal's migrant population comprises approximately 10% of its overall population. 182 000 individuals are from European Union (EU) countries while 858 000 are from third countries, particularly those where Portuguese is spoken. In 2021, for example, Brazilians accounted for 30% of the total migrant population.

Migrant labour serves to strengthen the country's economy: in 2022, 800 000 immigrants contributed over a billion euros to the social security system, while receiving approximately 257 million euros in social benefits, leaving a positive balance of 1 600 million euros.