Unemployment Rate Evolution in Portugal from 1990 to 2021

Portugal’s unemployment rate shows periods of marked increases, notably rising from 4.6% in 1990 to 16.2% in 2013 during the European debt crisis. The country struggled with high unemployment throughout this period, peaking due to austerity measures and economic contraction. Subsequent recovery efforts, combined with improved economic conditions, helped reduce the rate to around 7% by 2018.

The pandemic slightly increased the unemployment rate to 6.8% in 2020, but it stabilized at around 6% in the following years, reflecting the impact of EU recovery funds and structural economic reforms aimed at enhancing resilience in Portugal’s labor market.