Immigration has been crucial in sustaining the Portuguese labor market and Social Security, disproving several myths that persist in public debate. This is the conclusion of a new study by Randstad Research.
Titled "Myths and Realities about Migration and the Labor Market," this study compares common perceptions with official data from the INE, IEFP, Eurostat, and Social Security.
According to the report, foreigners mostly occupy positions in sectors with labor shortages or that the Portuguese tend to avoid, such as agriculture, hospitality, and administrative services. In 2024, immigrants contributed €3.645 billion to Social Security, receiving only €687 million in social benefits, resulting in a surplus of €2.958 billion.
The analysis also shows that 31.6% of foreigners have higher education, a percentage above the European Union average (27.4%), although many are overqualified for the roles they perform in Portugal. Around 30% perform unskilled jobs, compared to 14.5% of Portuguese nationals.
Furthermore, the study highlights that the long-term unemployment rate is lower among foreigners (20.2%) than among the total population (36.9%), contradicting the idea that they remain unemployed longer. However, the overall unemployment rate among immigrants is 11.9%, almost double the national average (6.6%), due to their greater presence in seasonal sectors and the lack of effective integration policies.
Migration has also played a fundamental role in demographic rejuvenation: more than 55% of immigrants are between 20 and 44 years old, compared to only 29% of the Portuguese population in that age group. In 2023, the resident foreign population surpassed 1 million people for the first time, tripling in just a decade.
Despite being younger and more qualified, foreign workers face more precarious conditions: 35.8% have temporary contracts (compared to 15.9% of the total population) and are also more affected by part-time work.
Based on concrete data, the Randstad study aims to dismantle preconceived notions about immigration and reinforce the strategic importance of this population for the country's future, both from an economic and demographic perspective.