Photo: Tsy1980 · CC BY-SA 4.0 · via Wikimedia Commons, shown in greyscale
Topic 03 of 18 · Country Index 2026
Portugal: Work & Labour
Can people find work, and on what terms?
Portugal is placed joint 58th of 182 countries on work & labour in the Country Index 2026, from 4 of its 4 key statistics. Readings behind it: Employment-to-Population Ratio 54.58 (2025); Labour Income Share 57.59 (2025).
Share
Work & Labour
joint58th
of 182 countries placed
Placed from 4 of 4 key statistics
01The evidence
The 4 key statistics that decide it
Only these place Portugal on work & labour — one vote each. Every value is the publisher’s own, read at the edition the Country Index 2026 used; the grey ticks are every other country it was compared with, lowest on the left.
Key 1 of 4
Employment-to-Population Ratio
International Labour Organization (ILO)
2025 edition · data for 2025 · CC BY 4.0
54.58
Employed share of the population aged 15+ (%)
Higher is better
Portugal: 54.58. Across the 182 countries in this edition, values run from 21.21 (São Tomé and Príncipe) to 86.9 (Qatar); the world median is 57.72.
- World median
- 57.72
- Best in Southern Europe
- 62.13 Malta
- Land neighbours
- Spain 51.45
Key 3 of 4
Unemployment Rate
International Labour Organization (ILO)
2025 edition · data for 2025 · CC BY 4.0
6.164
Unemployment (% of labour force)
Lower is better
Portugal: 6.164. Across the 182 countries in this edition, values run from 0.13 (Qatar) to 34.2 (Eswatini); the world median is 5.084.
- World median
- 5.084
- Best in Southern Europe
- 2.896 Malta
- Land neighbours
- Spain 10.38
Key 4 of 4
Vulnerable Employment
International Labour Organization (ILO)
2025 edition · data for 2025 · CC BY 4.0
9.657
Vulnerable employment (% of total employment)
Lower is better
Portugal: 9.657. Across the 182 countries in this edition, values run from 0.456 (Qatar) to 90.22 (Chad); the world median is 28.67.
- World median
- 28.67
- Best in Southern Europe
- 6.346 Croatia
- Land neighbours
- Spain 10.07
02Over time
Which way Portugal is moving
Each key’s published value, edition by edition, beside the world median. The Country Index 2026 is the first edition of the standing, so the standing itself has no history to chart yet.
Employment-to-Population Ratio
Employed share of the population aged 15+ (%) · higher is better
PortugalWorld median
Portugal fell from 58.48 in 2000 to 54.58 in 2025; the world median went from 55.86 to 57.72.
Every year’s figures
Year Portugal World median 2025 54.58 57.720 2024 54.64 57.694 2023 54.75 58.158 2022 54.24 57.688 2021 53.02 56.066 2020 53.64 55.691 2019 55.19 57.871 2018 54.85 56.911 2017 53.65 56.738 2016 51.96 56.845 2015 51.29 56.788 2014 50.62 56.774 2013 49.64 56.229 2012 50.80 56.289 2011 52.78 56.297 2010 54.61 56.212 2009 55.52 56.255 2008 57.32 57.308 2007 57.23 56.933 2006 57.30 56.685 2005 57.15 56.129 2004 57.62 55.465 2003 58.18 55.630 2002 59.23 55.843 2001 59.10 56.018 2000 58.48 55.861 Labour Income Share
Labour income share of GDP (%) · higher is better
PortugalWorld median
Portugal fell from 64.55 in 2004 to 57.59 in 2025; the world median went from 46.01 to 46.23.
Every year’s figures
Year Portugal World median 2025 57.6 46.230 2024 56.9 46.060 2023 55.1 45.900 2022 55.4 45.615 2021 57.4 45.433 2020 58.0 47.267 2019 54.4 46.277 2018 53.7 46.187 2017 54.0 46.467 2016 53.1 46.798 2015 53.8 46.876 2014 55.8 47.281 2013 57.2 46.887 2012 58.4 46.231 2011 59.4 45.679 2010 61.7 46.024 2009 63.1 47.071 2008 62.1 45.312 2007 61.8 45.246 2006 62.5 45.670 2005 64.6 46.265 2004 64.5 46.012 Unemployment Rate
Unemployment (% of labour force) · lower is better
PortugalWorld median
Portugal rose from 3.806 in 2000 to 6.164 in 2025; the world median went from 6.918 to 5.084.
Every year’s figures
Year Portugal World median 2025 6.164 5.08 2024 6.500 5.15 2023 6.498 5.21 2022 6.138 5.34 2021 6.712 6.04 2020 6.850 6.38 2019 6.422 5.36 2018 6.966 5.35 2017 8.878 5.59 2016 11.058 5.90 2015 12.405 6.41 2014 13.880 6.58 2013 16.237 6.71 2012 15.509 6.79 2011 12.715 6.90 2010 10.771 7.04 2009 9.432 6.67 2008 7.553 5.79 2007 7.965 6.00 2006 7.649 6.50 2005 7.582 7.09 2004 6.319 6.80 2003 6.132 6.95 2002 4.497 6.91 2001 3.829 6.96 2000 3.806 6.92 Vulnerable Employment
Vulnerable employment (% of total employment) · lower is better
PortugalWorld median
Portugal fell from 19.11 in 2000 to 9.657 in 2025; the world median went from 35.67 to 28.67.
Every year’s figures
Year Portugal World median 2025 9.66 28.67 2024 9.78 29.04 2023 10.22 29.33 2022 10.50 29.67 2021 10.93 30.01 2020 11.10 30.54 2019 11.08 29.98 2018 11.00 30.15 2017 11.31 29.93 2016 11.90 29.91 2015 12.32 30.26 2014 13.25 30.47 2013 14.80 31.14 2012 14.89 31.00 2011 14.48 31.41 2010 15.64 32.37 2009 16.26 32.59 2008 16.45 31.76 2007 16.83 33.47 2006 16.84 34.27 2005 17.71 34.66 2004 17.90 35.51 2003 18.78 35.90 2002 19.00 35.96 2001 19.44 35.27 2000 19.11 35.67
03In context
Portugal beside its neighbours
A position reads best beside the countries around it. Every position below is a place among all 182 countries on work & labour, never a place within the region.
Portugal and the countries it borders
Standing among all 182; the key columns are the publishers’ own values.
| Country | Standing | Employment-to-Population RatioEmployed share of the population aged 15+ (%) | Labour Income ShareLabour income share of GDP (%) | Unemployment RateUnemployment (% of labour force) | Vulnerable EmploymentVulnerable employment (% of total employment) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Portugal | =58th | 54.58 | 57.59 | 6.164 | 9.657 |
 Spaincompare | 77th | 51.45 | 59.68 | 10.38 | 10.07 |
“—”: no published reading in that edition. What a standing is
Across Southern Europe
Every country in the sub-region, by its place among all 182.
Placed either side on work & labour
The countries immediately above and below Portugal in the topic’s list.
04Context, no vote
Where Portugal is ahead of the world, and behind
33 more statistics filed under work & labour, published in full and deliberately given no vote in the standing. Select a row for the publisher, the rank and the links.
Ahead of the world median18
Statistics on which Portugal does better than the middle country measured.
Low Pay RateILO · 2024 · world median 17.893.7917.89▲ Improved since 2014
Portugal: 3.79 · world median 17.89 · Employees paid less than two-thirds of the median hourly earnings (%). International Labour Organization (ILO), 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 3.395 to 41.69; lower is better.
Position 70th of 71 · derived, 1st = worst.
Length of Paid Paternity LeaveWorld Bank Group · 2025 · world median 3353No real change since 2015
Portugal: 35 · world median 3 · Paid paternity leave set in law (calendar days). World Bank Group, 2026 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 196; higher is better.
Employment Injury Protection CoverageILO · 2024 · world median 45.910045.9No earlier reading
Portugal: 100 · world median 45.9 · Labour force covered in the event of a work injury (%). International Labour Organization (ILO), 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 100; higher is better.
Informal Employment RateILO · 2025 · world median 36.762.32836.76No earlier reading
Portugal: 2.328 · world median 36.76 · Informal employment (% of total employment). International Labour Organization (ILO), 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 0.857 to 94.44; lower is better.
Position 92nd of 97 · derived, 1st = worst.
Gini Index of Monthly EarningsILO · 2024 · world median 0.3370.2360.337▲ Improved since 2014
Portugal: 0.236 · world median 0.337 · Gini index of employees’ monthly earnings (0 = all paid the same, 1 = maximum inequality). International Labour Organization (ILO), 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 0.182 to 0.643; lower is better.
Position 69th of 75 · derived, 1st = worst.
Unemployment Benefit CoverageILO · 2024 · world median 062.30No earlier reading
Portugal: 62.3 · world median 0 · Unemployed people receiving unemployment benefits (%). International Labour Organization (ILO), 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 100; higher is better.
Youth Not in Education, Employment or TrainingILO · 2024 · world median 14.317.76114.31▲ Improved since 2014
Portugal: 7.761 · world median 14.31 · Youth not in education, employment or training (%). International Labour Organization (ILO), 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 3.975 to 65.73; lower is better.
Position 85th of 97 · derived, 1st = worst.
Compliance with Labour RightsILO · 2024 · world median 1.610.511.61▲ Improved since 2015
Portugal: 0.51 · world median 1.61 · Compliance with freedom of association and collective bargaining rights (0 = best, 10 = worst). International Labour Organization (ILO), 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 10; lower is better.
Agriculture, Forestry and Fishing Value Added per WorkerWorld Bank Group · 2025 · world median 6,74227,6076,742▲ Improved since 2015
Portugal: 27,607 · world median 6,742 · Agricultural value added per worker (constant 2015 US$). World Bank Group, 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 210.77 to 150,632; higher is better.
Position 29th of 151 · derived.
Human Capital Wealth per CapitaWorld Bank Group · 2020 · world median 25,230133,92225,230No real change since 2010
Portugal: 133,922 · world median 25,230 · Human capital per person — present value of future earnings (real chained 2019 US$). World Bank Group, 2020 edition, data for 2020.
Published values in that edition run from 700.38 to 735,422; higher is better.
Position 31st of 151 · derived.
Labour Productivity per Hour WorkedILO · 2025 · world median 22.1652.9122.16No real change since 2015
Portugal: 52.91 · world median 22.16 · Output per hour worked (constant 2021 international $ at PPP). International Labour Organization (ILO), 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 0.92 to 164.65; higher is better.
Position 39th of 182 · derived.
GDP per Person EmployedWorld Bank Group · 2025 · world median 47,38489,37747,384No real change since 2015
Portugal: 89,377 · world median 47,384 · GDP per person employed (constant 2021 international $). World Bank Group, 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 2,456 to 262,554; higher is better.
Position 40th of 168 · derived.
Firms Competing Against Informal FirmsWorld Bank Group · 2026 · world median 41.8126.3541.81No earlier reading
Portugal: 26.35 · world median 41.81 · Firms competing against unregistered or informal firms (%). World Bank Group, 2026 edition, data for 2026.
Published values in that edition run from 1.926 to 90.5; lower is better.
Position 135th of 181 · derived, 1st = worst.
Labour Inspectors per 10,000 Employed PersonsILO · 2024 · world median 0.5750.940.575No earlier reading
Portugal: 0.94 · world median 0.575 · Labour inspectors per 10,000 employed persons. International Labour Organization (ILO), 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 0.07 to 3.89; higher is better.
Firms Offering Formal TrainingWorld Bank Group · 2026 · world median 32.0739.5232.07No earlier reading
Portugal: 39.52 · world median 32.07 · Firms offering formal training to permanent full-time workers (%). World Bank Group, 2026 edition, data for 2026.
Published values in that edition run from 1.42 to 79.12; higher is better.
Female Share of Senior and Middle ManagementILO · 2024 · world median 35.8638.6535.86▲ Improved since 2014
Portugal: 38.65 · world median 35.86 · Women in senior and middle management (% of managers). International Labour Organization (ILO), 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 7.226 to 56.69; higher is better.
Position 32nd of 86 · derived.
Average Monthly Earnings of EmployeesILO · 2024 · world median 1,6362,0961,636▲ Improved since 2014
Portugal: 2,096 · world median 1,636 · Average monthly earnings of employees (2021 PPP $). International Labour Organization (ILO), 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 193.28 to 9,307; higher is better.
Position 34th of 75 · derived.
Female Labour Force Participation RateILO · 2025 · world median 53.3654.6353.36No real change since 2015
Portugal: 54.63 · world median 53.36 · Women aged 15+ in the labour force (%). International Labour Organization (ILO), 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 4.663 to 82.91; higher is better.
Position 84th of 182 · derived.
Behind the world median7
Statistics on which Portugal does worse than the middle country measured.
Firms with a Female Top ManagerWorld Bank Group · 2025 · world median 19.1619.0819.16No earlier reading
Portugal: 19.08 · world median 19.16 · Firms with a female top manager (%). World Bank Group, 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 1.429 to 62.9; higher is better.
Position 92nd of 179 · derived.
Trade Union DensityILO · 2020 · world median 16.6815.2916.68No earlier reading
Portugal: 15.29 · world median 16.68 · Employees who are trade union members (%). International Labour Organization (ILO), 2020 edition, data for 2020.
Published values in that edition run from 0.2 to 91.42; higher is better.
Position 74th of 139 · derived.
Composite Rate of Labour Underutilisation (LU4)ILO · 2024 · world median 12.5613.1312.56▲ Improved since 2014
Portugal: 13.13 · world median 12.56 · Composite rate of labour underutilisation, LU4 (% of the extended labour force). International Labour Organization (ILO), 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 1.495 to 49.82; lower is better.
Position 35th of 76 · derived, 1st = worst.
Labour Force Participation RateILO · 2025 · world median 61.6658.1661.66▲ Improved since 2015
Portugal: 58.16 · world median 61.66 · Population aged 15+ in the labour force (%). International Labour Organization (ILO), 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 23.34 to 87.01; higher is better.
Position 116th of 182 · derived.
Fatal Occupational InjuriesILO · 2023 · world median 2.0052.692.005▼ Worsened since 2013
Portugal: 2.69 · world median 2.005 · Fatal occupational injuries per 100,000 workers. International Labour Organization (ILO), 2023 edition, data for 2023.
Published values in that edition run from 0.12 to 8.409; lower is better.
Youth Unemployment RateILO · 2025 · world median 12.8320.2212.83▲ Improved since 2015
Portugal: 20.22 · world median 12.83 · Unemployment, ages 15-24 (% of youth labour force). International Labour Organization (ILO), 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 0.457 to 76.77; lower is better.
Position 47th of 182 · derived, 1st = worst.
Length of Paid Maternity LeaveWorld Bank Group · 2025 · world median 98098No real change since 2015
Portugal: 0 · world median 98 · Paid maternity leave set in law (calendar days). World Bank Group, 2026 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 410; higher is better.
No better end8
These describe the shape of a country — more is not better or worse, only different — so they are never ahead or behind.
Statutory Minimum WageILO · 2024 · world median 657.951,713657.95No real change since 2014
Portugal: 1,713 · world median 657.95 · Statutory minimum wage per month (2021 PPP $). International Labour Organization (ILO), 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 4.038 to 3,804.
Public Sector EmploymentWorld Bank Group · 2022 · world median 15.0126.9215.01No earlier reading
Portugal: 26.92 · world median 15.01 · Public sector employment (% of total employment). World Bank Group, 2022 edition, data for 2022.
Published values in that edition run from 1.672 to 47.1.
Position 28th of 135 · derived, counted from the highest value.
Employment in IndustryILO · 2025 · world median 18.8824.5518.88Moved since 2015
Portugal: 24.55 · world median 18.88 · Employment in industry (% of total employment). International Labour Organization (ILO), 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 3.103 to 39.44.
Position 46th of 182 · derived, counted from the highest value.
Employment in ServicesILO · 2025 · world median 59.5172.6759.51Moved since 2015
Portugal: 72.67 · world median 59.51 · Employment in services (% of total employment). International Labour Organization (ILO), 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 11.56 to 92.17.
Position 47th of 182 · derived, counted from the highest value.
Share of Temporary EmployeesILO · 2024 · world median 13.4515.9413.45Moved since 2014
Portugal: 15.94 · world median 13.45 · Employees on temporary contracts (% of employees). International Labour Organization (ILO), 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 0.337 to 72.78.
Self-Employment RateILO · 2025 · world median 31.8414.4331.84Moved since 2015
Portugal: 14.43 · world median 31.84 · Self-employed (% of total employment). International Labour Organization (ILO), 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 0.832 to 91.56.
Position 142nd of 182 · derived, counted from the highest value.
Employment in AgricultureILO · 2025 · world median 14.382.77614.38No real change since 2015
Portugal: 2.776 · world median 14.38 · Employment in agriculture (% of total employment). International Labour Organization (ILO), 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 0.095 to 85.34.
Position 145th of 182 · derived, counted from the highest value.
Average Weekly Hours WorkedILO · 2025 · world median 38.8933.4638.89Moved since 2015
Portugal: 33.46 · world median 38.89 · Average weekly hours actually worked per employed person. International Labour Organization (ILO), 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 23.64 to 54.7.
Position 150th of 182 · derived, counted from the highest value.
No current reading for Portugal
Working Poverty Rate. Listed rather than hidden, so the page can be checked against it.
“Position · derived” is this site’s ordering of the published values, 1st = best unless the row says otherwise; the publisher ranks no country on it. Rank, position and standing
05Country Index 2026
Work & Labour among Portugal’s 16 topics
Work & Labour is Portugal’s 14th best-placed topic of 16. Strongest first, each marker at its share of that topic’s field.
- Education & Knowledge15th of 1983/4 keys
- Health & Wellbeing19th of 2004/4 keys
- Energy17th of 1653/3 keys
- Peace & Securityjoint 21st of 1774/4 keys
- Food & Agriculture22nd of 1844/4 keys
- Democracy & Civil Liberties26th of 1984/4 keys
- Governance & Institutions27th of 1944/4 keys
- Gender & Equalityjoint 26th of 1834/4 keys
- Mobility & Trade28th of 1774/4 keys
- Development & Human Capital34th of 1963/3 keys
- Risk & Resilience34th of 1934/4 keys
- Economy & Innovation32nd of 1764/4 keys
- Digital & Technology36th of 1984/4 keys
- Work & Labourjoint 58th of 1824/4 keys
- Poverty & Inequality52nd of 1593/3 keys
- Environment & Sustainability88th of 1864/4 keys
06The top of the list
Who leads on work & labour
The three countries placed highest of 182, and the leaders Portugal can most readily be measured against.
1
IcelandNorthern Europe
1st of 182 · 4 of 4 keys
Photo: Hansueli Krapf · CC BY-SA 3.0, greyscale
2
JapanEastern Asia
2nd of 182 · 4 of 4 keys
Photo: JurriaanH · CC BY-SA 3.0, greyscale
3
South KoreaEastern Asia
3rd of 182 · 4 of 4 keys
Photo: Unknown author · CC BY-SA 2.0, greyscale
Placed highest nearby
Highest in Europe
Iceland1st4/4 keysHighest in Southern Europe
Slovenia18th4/4 keysThis page
Portugal=58th4/4 keys
Positions out of 182 placed on the topic. A country needs readings on enough keys to be placed, and the top of the list is often held on fewer of them.
07Analysis
Charts and analysis about Portugal and work & labour
On work & labour
Countries in Asia with the highest average salaries 2024
Thirteen Asian countries by gross average monthly wage, each carrying its WORLD rank rather than an Asian one — so the numbers skip, from 11th place to 45th.
On work & labour
Countries With The Highest Average Salaries in 2024
The ten highest-paying countries of 2024, their bars coloured by continent, and six more added for comparison — from Australia in 13th place to India in 85th.
On work & labour
Countries With The Lowest Average Salaries in 2024
The bottom ten of 196 countries, and six more added for comparison. Niger, Madagascar and Liberia are all published at US$47 a month and still carry three different ranks.
08Questions
Portugal on work & labour: questions answered
Every answer is built from the numbers on this page, so none can say something the page does not.
How does Portugal rank on work & labour?
Portugal is placed joint 58th of 182 countries on Work & Labour in the Country Index 2026, from 4 of its 4 key statistics (Employment-to-Population Ratio, Labour Income Share, Unemployment Rate and Vulnerable Employment). The position is this site’s ordering of published statistics, not a rank any publisher printed.
What is the latest Employment-to-Population Ratio figure for Portugal?
54.58 in 2025 (employed share of the population aged 15+ (%)), according to International Labour Organization (ILO). The world median in the same edition was 57.72.
What is the latest Labour Income Share figure for Portugal?
57.59 in 2025 (labour income share of GDP (%)), according to International Labour Organization (ILO). The world median in the same edition was 46.23.
How does Portugal compare with Spain on work & labour?
Spain is placed 77th of 182, and Portugal joint 58th. Employment-to-Population Ratio: Spain 51.45, Portugal 54.58; Labour Income Share: Spain 59.68, Portugal 57.59; Unemployment Rate: Spain 10.38, Portugal 6.164; Vulnerable Employment: Spain 10.07, Portugal 9.657.
How have Portugal’s work & labour figures changed?
Employment-to-Population Ratio fell from 58.48 in 2000 to 54.58 in 2025; Labour Income Share fell from 64.55 in 2004 to 57.59 in 2025; Unemployment Rate rose from 3.806 in 2000 to 6.164 in 2025; Vulnerable Employment fell from 19.11 in 2000 to 9.657 in 2025.
Which work & labour statistics are missing for Portugal?
No current reading is published for Portugal on Working Poverty Rate. They are listed rather than hidden, so the evidence on the page can be checked against it.
09Method
Method, sources and how to cite
What this topic does not measure
Wages in money terms are not a key here, because pay figures are hard to compare fairly across countries with very different prices. Labour productivity, working hours, youth unemployment and the balance between farming, industry and services are published on this page as context. The size and growth of the wider economy belong to Economy & Innovation.
How the Work & Labour standing is decided
A standing is this site’s ordering, named with its edition — never a publisher’s rank. 4 key statistics vote, one vote each; every country’s published value becomes a place within that key’s own field, the places are averaged, and the average is never published. A country needs 2 of the 4 keys to be placed.
The work & labour method, step by stepHow every standing on this site is built
The key statistics and their licences
- Employment-to-Population Ratio — International Labour Organization (ILO), CC BY 4.0
- Labour Income Share — International Labour Organization (ILO), CC BY 4.0
- Unemployment Rate — International Labour Organization (ILO), CC BY 4.0
- Vulnerable Employment — International Labour Organization (ILO), CC BY 4.0
The other 33 statistics on this page come from 2 publishers, each named beside its numbers, with every edition and licence on the datasets pages.
The standing itself is part of the Country Index 2026, published under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Photographs
Portugal’s banner and the countries placed highest, from their profiles: Wikimedia Commons, shown in greyscale, each used under the licence named.
- Portugal (banner) — Tsy1980, CC BY-SA 4.0
- Iceland — Hansueli Krapf, CC BY-SA 3.0
- Japan — JurriaanH, CC BY-SA 3.0
- South Korea — Unknown author, CC BY-SA 2.0
Cite this page
Nations Inquiry (2026). Portugal: Work & Labour — standing and statistics, Country Index 2026. https://nationsinquiry.com/countries/portugal/work