Factbook dossier
Background
A global maritime power during the 15th and 16th centuries, Portugal lost much of its wealth and status with the destruction of Lisbon in a 1755 earthquake, occupation during the Napoleonic Wars, and the independence of Brazil, its wealthiest colony, in 1822. A revolution deposed the monarchy in 1910, and for most of the next six decades, repressive governments ran the country. In 1974, a left-wing military coup ushered in broad democratic reforms. The following year, Portugal granted independence to all its African colonies. Portugal is a founding member of NATO and entered the EC (now the EU) in 1986.
Location
Southwestern Europe, bordering the North Atlantic Ocean, west of Spain
Area
total : 92,090 sq km land: 91,470 sq km water: 620 sq km note: includes Azores and Madeira Islands
Natural resources
fish, forests (cork), iron ore, copper, zinc, tin, tungsten, silver, gold, uranium, marble, clay, gypsum, salt, arable land, hydropower
Natural hazards
Azores subject to severe earthquakes volcanism: limited volcanic activity in the Azores Islands; Fayal or Faial (1,043 m) last erupted in 1958; most volcanoes have not erupted in centuries; historically active volcanoes include Agua de Pau, Furnas, Pico, Picos Volcanic System, San Jorge, Sete Cidades, and Terceira
Population
total: 10,194,277 (2025 est.) male: 4,831,166 female: 5,363,111
Ethnic groups
Portuguese 95%; citizens from Portugal s former colonies in Africa, Asia (Han Chinese), and South America (Brazilian) and other foreign born 5%
Languages
Portuguese (official), Mirandese (official, but locally used)
Religions
Catholic 68.1%, not applicable 12.9%, no religion 12.0%, no response 2.2%, Protestant 1.8%, other 1.0%; less than 1%: other Christians, Orthodox, Muslim (2021 est.) note: data represent population 15 years of age and older
Environmental issues
soil erosion; air pollution from industrial and vehicle emissions; water pollution, especially in urban centers and coastal areas
Government type
semi-presidential republic
Capital
name: Lisbon geographic coordinates: 38 43 N, 9 08 W time difference: UTC 0 (5 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time) daylight saving time: +1hr, begins last Sunday in March; ends last Sunday in October time zone note: Portugal has two time zones, including the Azores (UTC-1) etymology: the origin of the name is unclear; some trace it back to the legendary Greek hero Ulysses; others claim a derivation from the Phoenician alis-ubbo , or "joyful bay"
Executive branch
chief of state: President Marcelo REBELO DE SOUSA (since 9 March 2016) head of government: Prime Minister Antonio Luis MONTENEGRO (since 2 April 2024) cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the president on the recommendation of the prime minister election/appointment process: president directly elected by absolute-majority popular vote in 2 rounds, if needed, for a 5-year term (eligible for a second term); following legislative elections, the president usually appoints the leader of the majority party or majority coalition as prime minister most recent election date: 24 January 2021 election results: 2021: Marcelo REBELO DE SOUSA reelected president in the first round; percent of vote - Marcelo REBELO DE SOUSA (PSD) 60.7%, Ana GOMES (ran as an independent but is a member of PS) 13%, Andre VENTURA (CH) 11.9%, Jo o FERREIRA (PCP-PEV) 4.3%, other 10.1% 2016: Marcelo REBELO DE SOUSA elected president in the first round; percent of vote - Marcelo REBELO DE SOUSA (PSD) 52%, Ant nio SAMPAIO DA NOVOA (independent) 22.9%, Marisa MATIAS (BE) 10.1%, Maria DE BELEM ROSEIRA (PS) 4.2%, other 10.8% expected date of next election: January 2026 note: there is also a Council of State that acts as a consultative body to the president
Legislative branch
legislature name: Assembly of the Republic (Assembleia da Republica) legislative structure: unicameral number of seats: 230 (all directly elected) electoral system: proportional representation scope of elections: full renewal term in office: 4 years most recent election date: 5/18/2025 parties elected and seats per party: Social Democratic Party (PPD/PSD) - Democratic and Social Centre - People's Party (CDS-PP) (88); Chega (CH) (60); Socialist Party (PS) (58); Other (24) percentage of women in chamber: 35.7% expected date of next election: September 2029
Real GDP (purchasing power parity)
$448.226 billion (2024 est.) $439.745 billion (2023 est.) $428.547 billion (2022 est.) note: data in 2021 dollars
Real GDP per capita
$41,900 (2024 est.) $41,600 (2023 est.) $41,100 (2022 est.) note: data in 2021 dollars
Inflation rate (consumer prices)
2.4% (2024 est.) 4.3% (2023 est.) 7.8% (2022 est.) note: annual % change based on consumer prices
Exports - partners
Spain 21%, France 11%, Germany 10%, USA 8%, UK 5% (2023) note: top five export partners based on percentage share of exports
Imports - partners
Spain 33%, Germany 11%, France 7%, Netherlands 5%, China 5% (2023) note: top five import partners based on percentage share of imports
Military and security forces
Portuguese Armed Forces (For as Armadas Portuguesa): Portuguese Army (Exercito Portuguesa), Portuguese Navy (Marinha Portuguesa; includes Marine Corps, aka Corpo de Fuzileiros or Corps of Fusiliers), Portuguese Air Force (Forca Aerea Portuguesa, FAP) Ministry of Internal Administration: Public Security Police (Pol cia de Seguran a P blica, PSP) , National Republican Guard (Guarda Nacional Republicana, GNR) (2025) note: the PSP has jurisdiction in cities while the GNR has jurisdiction in rural areas; the GNR is a national gendarmerie force comprised of military personnel with law enforcement, internal security, civil defense, disaster response, and coast guard duties; it is responsible to both the Ministry of Internal Administration and to the Ministry of National Defense; it is not part of the Armed Forces, but may be placed under its operational command in the event of a national emergency
Military expenditures
2% of GDP (2025 est.) 1.6% of GDP (2024 est.) 1.3% of GDP (2023 est.) 1.4% of GDP (2022 est.) 1.5% of GDP (2021 est.)