Lisbon, June 22, 2026 (Lusa) - The number of unemployed people registered with employment centres in Portugal fell by 8.7% year-on-year in May to 274,766, a figure that was also 3% lower than in April, according to data published on Monday by the Institute for Employment and Vocational Training (IEFP).
“At the end of May 2026, 274,766 unemployed individuals were registered with employment services on the mainland and in the Azores and Madeira, a figure representing 66.0% of a total of 416,487 job seekers,” it stated.
The total number of registered unemployed was lower than in the same month of 2025 (-26,139, or -8.7%), as well as lower than in the previous month (-8,524, or -3%).
According to the IEFP, “the year-on-year decrease in registered unemployment in May 2025, in absolute terms, was driven by those registered for less than 12 months (-17,450), those seeking a new job (-22,356) and those aged over 25 (-21,645)”.
Regionally, in May, unemployment fell year-on-year in all regions, with the sharpest figures in the North (-12.3%), the Azores (-11.3%) and Madeira (-9.7%).
This trend was repeated compared with the previous month, the IEFP noted.
On the other hand, looking at the occupational groups of registered unemployed people on the mainland, these include unskilled workers (29.7%), workers in personal services, security and safety, and sales staff (19.7%), specialists in intellectual and scientific activities (11.2%) and administrative staff (10.4%).
According to the IEFP, compared with the same month in 2025 and taking into account the most significant occupational groups, there was a decrease in unemployment among farmers and skilled workers in agriculture, fisheries and forestry (-18.4%), skilled workers in industry, construction and craft trades (-12.7%), administrative staff (-12.1%), plant and machine operators and assembly workers (-11.9%).
The IEFP highlighted the rise in unemployment in the occupational group of representatives of the legislative branch, government bodies, leaders, directors and executive managers’ (+8.3%).
As regards the economic sector from which the unemployment originated, of the 241,468 unemployed people who, at the end of the month under review, were registered as jobseekers on the mainland, 68.6% had worked in the services sector, particularly in real estate, administrative and support services (26.9%).
Meanwhile, 20.5% came from the secondary sector, with particular emphasis on construction (6.0%) and the agricultural sector, accounting for 4% of the unemployed.
“Compared with the same month in 2025, unemployment has fallen across all sectors: ‘agriculture’ (-15.0%), ‘manufacturing’ (-7.6%) and ‘services’ (-1.3%)”, the IEFP reported.
According to the institute, “unfilled job vacancies at the end of May 2026 totalled 17,703 across employment services nationwide”.
The data released by the IEFP also indicate that, throughout May 2026, 34,618 unemployed people registered with employment services across the country, a figure lower than in the same month of 2025 (-6,541 or 15.9%), as well as compared with the previous month (-5,138 or 12.9%).
“Job vacancies received during this month totalled 11,321 nationwide, a figure lower than that for the same month in 2025 (-1,908; -14.4%) and compared with the previous month (-598; -5.0%)”, the institute added.
The economic sectors with the highest representation in job vacancies received this month on the mainland, in descending order, were real estate, administrative and support services, accommodation and catering, wholesale and retail trade, and public administration, education, health and social care.
“Placements made during May 2026 totalled 7,822 across the country”, a figure 10.8% lower than that recorded in the same period of 2025 and also 13.6% lower than the previous month.
ALN/AYLS // AYLS
Lusa
