Five interior regions have some of the EU's lowest working-age population shares
New Eurostat regional data place five Portuguese interior subregions below 55% for the share of residents aged 20 to 64.
Archived after its publication day. Search retains this original briefing for background and accountability.
Archived 12 September 2026This is a demographic measure, not an employment rate. It helps explain service and workforce pressure but does not describe every town or individual job market.
- Alto Tâmega e Barroso recorded the lowest of the five, at 50.8%.
- The EU average was 58.3%, while Lisbon was 58.5%.
- A lower working-age share can coexist with local vacancies, remote workers and active older residents.
What the regional numbers show
Eurostat reports working-age shares of 54.0% in Alto Tejo, 52.5% in Beira Baixa, 52.7% in Beiras e Serra da Estrela, 52.2% in Terras de Trás-os-Montes and 50.8% in Alto Tâmega e Barroso. The indicator counts residents aged 20 to 64 as a share of the population.
It does not measure who has a job, who wants one or how many roles are vacant. It should not be read as a direct unemployment or income figure.
Use the statistic with local evidence
For a move or investment, combine demographic structure with the actual employer base, broadband, transport, schools, health access and seasonal population in the target municipality. A subregional average can hide major differences between towns.
For employers and public services, the figures point to a smaller potential local workforce and greater ageing pressure, but they do not predict the success of one recruitment campaign.
What you can do now.
- 01
Compare the exact municipality, not only the wider subregion.
- 02
Check current employers, transport and public services locally.
- 03
Keep working-age share separate from employment and vacancy rates.
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