MORE IMMIGRANTS WANTED

According to a study by the Faculty of Economics at the University of Porto, Portugal needs more immigrants.

More immigrants are necessary if the country wants to increase economic growth and standards of living - and join the richest nations in the European Union by 2033

The Portuguese government announced on June 3 this year a new Action plan for migration. It came into force the following day.The plan laid out 41 new measures to tighten migration, clean up the backlog of pending immigration cases, and meet the deadline to update the Entry/Exit system at the borders, among others.

Immigration is a highly contentious subject globally. In the United States the focus is on the flood of foreigners coming across the border from Mexico, as highlighted in the televised debate between Kamala Harris and Donald Trump.

The main concern in the United Kingdom and Europe is the human trafficking of illegal immigrants from Africa. More than five million immigrants are said to have entered the European Union from non-EU countries in 2022. That’s more than double the number of the previous year. Twenty-nine million immigrants have arrived in the past decade, legally and illegally, placing a significant strain on economies and community attitudes where the cost of living is a major worry. 

Except for its effect on the national housing shortage, Portugal

has been generally happy to accept newcomers from Brazil, the United Kingdom, the United States, and various Schengen countries. 

The attractions include the fact that Portugal is one of the safest countries in the world. It varies from year to year in the Global Peace Index, but is always well within the top 10.

The weather is starting to cool from a hot summer while Portugal has one of the most comfortable climates in Europe with Mediterranean temperatures all year round, and more than 300 days of sunshine can annually. Mainland Portugal has an average temperature of 10-12°C in the north, and 16-18°C in the south. Madeira and the Azores tend to be wetter and warmer due to their Atlantic island location. 

Portugal is one of the best places to live in terms of cost of living, although local inhabitants may question this.. Those coming from abroad will find their purchasing power goes a long way in Portugal. The cost of living is around 40% lower than in the United States. 

Quality education is available for children in public and private schools. And there is much more, to attract and benefit children and adults from abroad to this special land. 

Written by Len Port.

Edited by Catriona Anderson.