Why invest in Portugal?
Currently, Portugal has one of the most dynamic entrepreneurial ecosystems in Europe, resulting from the investments made in the last decade in human resources, infrastructure and technology qualification, which provide great opportunities for those wishing to launch or invest in new businesses.
We provide information on the most competitive sectors of the Portuguese economy, whether emerging or traditional, as well as information on incentive systems and funding solutions, support for innovation and internationalisation of your business.
Please be sure to explore Clusters, Funding, Entrepreneurship, Innovation, Internationalisation, Location. See more at Business from A to Z that helps you to know how to create, manage and close businesses in Portugal, as well as the economic activity support services available in this single electronic point of contact for the entire Portuguese administration.
Discover the many reasons to invest in Portugal!
Economic Indicators
Portugal in numbers
If you are an investor looking for business opportunities in Portugal, you should start by exploring the main indicators of the Portuguese economy at national and regional levels.
These indicators include information on the business environment, investment in infrastructure, as well as labour market trends, population qualifications, access to funding and investment in capital goods and R&D.
- Main Economic Indicators of Portugal – Selection of Portugal’s main economic indicators since 2000.
- Sectorial Statistics – Annual structural indicators and their evolution, concerning Portuguese companies in the last 5 years, for a total of 354 economic activities (CAE Rev. 3), by legal form or geographical distribution (NUTS II), and respective framework in the national economic context.
- Regional Statistics – Annual publication with the main economic and social indicators of Portugal, grouped by NUTS II, NUTS III, districts and municipalities, for a total of 360 regional groupings.
Portugal gives access to a market of 500 million consumers in Europe and
over 250 million Portuguese-speaking markets.
- » EU Member-State since 1986 and belongs to Eurozone
- » Founding member of Comunidade dos Países de Língua Portuguesa
- » United Nations and OECD Member
- » Stable Democracy and Political Stability
Portugal has a prime location for accessing relevant markets.
- » Same time zone as the UK and Ireland.
- » 1 hour difference from Central European Time
- » 3 hours difference from Moscow
- » Nearest European country to the US and Canada
- » 5 hours difference from New York
Portugal has an available, flexible, dedicated and productive workforce
with a high level of education in business oriented areas.
- » 361.943 Students in higher education institutions – DGEEC 2018/19
- » 5.891 IT graduates – DGEEC 2017/2018
- » 12 High proficiency – English Proficiency Index, 2019
- » 2 highest rate of engineering graduates in Europe – Eurostat 2018
- » 7 in language skills – IMD World Talent Report 2019, 63 countries
- » 11 in graduates in sciences – IMD World Talent Report 2019, 63 countries
- » 13 in skilled labour – IMD World Talent Report 2019, 63 countries
- » 15 in management education – IMD World Talent Report 2019, 63 countries
- » 18 in university education – IMD World Talent Report 2019, 63 countries
Portugal is a top country in technological services.
- » 9 Digital Public Services – Digital Economy and Society Index 2019, EU28
- » 11 Integration of Digital Technology – Digital Economy and Society Index 2019, EU28
- » 18 Connectivity – Digital Economy and Society Index 2019, EU28
- » 11 Communication Technology – IMD World Digital Competitiveness Ranking 2019, 63 countries
- » 13 Digital/Technology Skills – IMD World Digital Competitiveness Ranking 2019, 63 countries
- » 19 International Innovation Leader in the World 2019 – Consumer Technology Association/CES
- » 32 Global Innovation Index 2019 – Cornell University, INSEAD, World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO)
- » Web Summit in Lisbon until 2028
- » 3 Portuguese Tech Unicorns
Portugal ranks among the most competitive and is attracting new businesses.
- » 2 Most Open Country for FDI – OECD FDI Restrictiveness Indicator 2018, 69 countries
- » 25 Forbes best countries for doing business – Forbes 2019
- » 34 Global Competitiveness – World Economic Forum 2019
- » 39 Ease of doing business – World Bank Group 2019
Portugal is a good location for investments but also a great place to live and enjoy.
Stable, sunny, with unique nature, rich leisure and cultural amenities, and with
high quality healthcare facilities.
- » 3 Global Peace Index 2019
- » 1 World’s best quality of life for expats, 2017
- » 850 km of beaches
- » 3300 hours of sunshine/year
- » Golf, surf, trekking, cycling, diving, kite surfing, horse riding…you choose!
