More Portuguese Are Open to Leaving the Country
A new study by the Boston Consulting Group, the Consumer Sentiment Survey 2025, found that about 34% of all Portuguese respondents said they would be willing to leave Portugal to seek better living conditions. The figure is 2% higher than in the survey a year earlier, showing a gradual increase in willingness to emigrate. The poll sampled 1,000 people across the country and used 44 questions about consumer feelings and work preferences.
18–24 Year-Olds: 73% Consider Emigrating, Up From 64% in 2024
The report found the intention to emigrate is strongest among the youngest adults. The share of respondents aged 18 to 24 who said they might emigrate rose from 64% in 2024 to 73% in 2025 (up 9%). The authors warn that this concentration of intent among the youngest could mean a continuing loss of early-career talent if conditions do not change.
Emigration in Portugal is a long-term and widespread phenomenon that has seen a new boom in the 21st century. Between 2001 and 2020, an average of more than 75,000 people will have left Portugal every year.
Professional Reasons Most Cited (37%), Plus Political and Fiscal Dissatisfaction
When asked why they would leave, 37% of respondents pointed to the search for better professional conditions as the main reason. Other important motives included dissatisfaction with the country’s political, fiscal and social situation. The study suggests that pay is not the only factor: career opportunities and workplace conditions play a major role in people’s decisions.
Rank | Country | Estimation |
1 | Switzerland | ~10,000 - 12,600 |
2 | Spain | ~8,300 - 11,500 |
3 | France | ~7,400 - 7,700 |
4 | United Kingdom | ~4,400 - 7,900 (Has decreased significantly since Brexit) |
5 | Germany | ~5,900 - 6,400 |
6 | Netherlands | ~4,500 - 4,900 |
7 | Luxembourg | ~3,600 - 3,700 |
Work Preferences: 72% Fully On-Site Now, Yet Over 60% Prefer Remote Work
Most workers remain in offices: 72% of respondents said they currently work 100% in person. Still, the survey reports that more than 60% would prefer to work remotely, either fully or in part. Only 10% of respondents are in fully remote roles today, while about 25% said they would prefer fully remote work - a preference stronger among people up to 45 years old. The study also lists values workers prize:
autonomy and responsibility (26%)
work–life balance (25%)
a healthy workplace (22%)
interpersonal relationships (18%)
Estimates of The Total Number of Portuguese Emigrants, 1960-2024
Year | Source | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
World Bank | United Nations | ||||
Total | Europe | America | Others | ||
2024 | .. | 1,799,179 | 1,287,911 | 468,141 | 43,127 |
2020 | 2,016,496 | 1,729,500 | 1,276,983 | 406,458 | 46,059 |
2019 | .. | 2,631,559 | 1,493,128 | 1,051,484 | 86,947 |
2017 | 2,289,642 | 2,266,735 | 1,502,151 | 592,642 | 171,942 |
2015 | .. | 1,801,647 | 1,286,279 | 465,248 | 50,120 |
2013 | 2,028,597 | .. | .. | .. | .. |
2010 | 1,991,196 | 1,727,839 | 1,158,331 | 516,188 | 53,320 |
2005 | .. | 1,622,764 | 1,006,769 | 561,680 | 54,315 |
2000 | 2,018,688 | 1,554,095 | 901,763 | 598,720 | 53,612 |
1995 | .. | 1,540,545 | 859,455 | 628,243 | 52,847 |
1990 | 1,779,547 | 1,589,830 | 828,170 | 701,266 | 60,394 |
1980 | 1,870,755 | .. | .. | .. | .. |
1970 | 1,282,836 | .. | .. | .. | |
Sources:
Forbes
Observatório da Emigração
Observatório da Emigração
Care for a share?
Comments