The number of immigrants in Portugal decreased by 2% between 2023 and 2024, according to the latest OECD report on migrationwith a drop of almost 50% in family reunifications, but a 9% increase in people going to work.
According to the report, released this Monday, November 3, by the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD), which brings together 38 countries, In 2024, Portugal received 138,000 new long-term or permanent immigrants (including changes of status and free movement), which represents a decrease of 1.9% compared to 2023.
“This number includes 28% of immigrants who benefit from free movement, 44% of labor migrants and 14% of family members (including accompanying family members)”, reads the report, which analyzes the evolution of migration flows.
In relation to long-term immigration, and in the comparison between 2023 and 2024, the OECD states that in Portugal there was a 9% increase in the number of immigrants entering the country to work, while at the same time there was a 46% decrease in cases of family reunification.
On the other hand, the OECD states that around 9,000 permits were issued to international higher education students in 2024.
“In addition, in 2023, 73,000 intra-community postings were registered, an increase of 29% compared to 2022”, it states, adding that “these posted workers generally have short-term contracts”.
Brazil, Angola and Cape Verde were the top three nationalities of newcomers in 2023 and among the top 15 countries of origin, Brazil recorded the biggest increase in flows to Portugal compared to the previous year.
The OECD points out that, in 2024, the number of asylum seekers increased by 2.9%, reaching around 2,700, with the majority of these people coming from Senegal (400), Gambia (300) and Colombia (300).
“The biggest increase since 2023 concerned nationals from Senegal (200) and the biggest decrease to nationals from Afghanistan (-100). Of the 1,010 decisions taken in 2024, 1% were positive”, says the organization.
On the other hand, emigration of Portuguese citizens to OECD countries increased by 4% in 2023, to 61,000, with approximately 21% of this group emigrating to Switzerland, 19% to Spain and 12% to France.
In its information about Portugal, the OECD refers to recent legislative changes in the country, including the approval of the Migration Action Plan in June 2024, in which one of the “main measures is the revocation of the expression of interest mechanism, through which third-country nationals, illegally residing in Portugal, could request a residence permit to work or carry out an independent activity”.