More than 30 occupations in Portugal reported a shortage of workers, the 2023 EURES report on shortages and surpluses has revealed.
Occupations facing a shortage in Portugal are mainly related to sectors such as agriculture, food and hospitality, manufacturing, healthcare, and IT, VisaGuide.World reports.
While labor shortages pose a challenge to Portugal’s economy, they also open doors for numerous foreigners seeking to move and work in the country. This means that foreigners with skills in the most in-demand professions in Portugal may have a higher chance of obtaining a work visa.
Based on the latest EURES report published by the European Labour Authority, some of the occupations facing a shortage of workers in Portugal include:
- Crop farm, garden and horticultural labourers
- Agricultural and industrial machinery mechanics and repairers
- Metal working machine tool setters and operators
- Welders and flame cutters
- Plumbers and pipe fitters
- Bricklayers and related workers
- Bartenders
- Waiters
- Cooks & kitchen helpers
- Hotel receptionists
- Applications programmers
- Software developers
- Nursing professionals
- Specialist medical practitioners
- Electrical engineers
Some Jobs Experience Both Shortages & Surpluses Depending on Season
However, the report noted that some professions in Portugal are reported both as shortages and surpluses, depending on the season.
For instance, 9412 kitchen assistants and 5131 waiters were reported as shortages between April and October but as surpluses between November and March.
Other seasonal jobs that only emerge as shortages in certain periods include hotel receptionists, cooks, bartenders, and crop farmers labourers.
Brazilians Dominate Foreign Workforce in Portugal
Statistics show that the number of foreign workers in Portugal has been increasing over the past years. As reported by the Diario de Noticias, the number of foreign employees reached 228,100 in 2021, thus representing 7.8 per cent of Portugal’s workforce.
Brazilians emerged as the most represented foreign workforce in Portugal in 2021, representing 32.5 percent of the total, according to the 2022 Employment and Training Report from the Ministry of Labor.
They were followed by Asians (17.2 percent), Portuguese-speaking African Countries (17.2 percent) and EU citizens (14 percent).
Unemployment Rate in Portugal Expected to Decrease Due To Migration
The unemployment rate in Portugal rose from 6.2 percent in 2022 to 6.5 percent in 2023. However, this rate is expected to decrease in the future, according to an analysis from the Directorate‑General for Economic and Financial Affairs of the EU Commission.
As further explained, the working-age population increased in early 2024 due to positive migration flows.
Unemployment is expected to decline somewhat over the coming months as job creation is set to gradually absorb the increase in labour supply. In full-year terms, unemployment is projected at 6.5 percent in 2024 and 6.4 per cent in 2025.
Among other things, it was noted that salaries in Portugal are expected to increase somewhat faster than inflation.
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