Lisbon, May 21, 2026 (Lusa) – The number of unemployed people registered at job centres fell by 9.7% year-on-year in April, and by 4.2% compared to March, according to data published on Thursday by the Institute for Employment and Vocational Training (IEFP).
Employment services in the mainland and autonomous regions recorded 283,290 unemployed people at the end of April, representing 66.1% of a total of 428,304 job applications, IEFP figures show.
This total reflects a decrease of 30,333 people compared to the same month in 2025. Changes in those registered for less than 12 months (-19,583), those seeking a new job (-25,970), and individuals aged 25 or older (-24,928) account for the variation.
In month-on-month terms, April saw 12,466 fewer people registered in job centres than in March.
An analysis of professional groups among the registered unemployed on the mainland shows that "unskilled workers" remained the most representative category (29.8%).
This group was followed by "personal services, protection, security, and sales workers" (19.8%), "specialists in intellectual and scientific activities" (11%), and "administrative staff" (10.4%).
Unemployment decreased year-on-year across all regions in April, with the sharpest declines recorded in the North (-13.1%), Madeira (-12.9%), and the Azores (-12.2%).
All regions recorded a monthly decrease in April compared to March, with the Algarve experiencing the most significant drop (-23.3%).
Job vacancies received nationwide throughout the fourth month of the year totalled 11,919, IEFP said. This figure represents a 12.3% year-on-year decrease and is 18.9% below March.
Unfilled job vacancies at employment services nationwide totalled 16,458 at the end of the month, representing a 2.2% year-on-year decrease but a 2.6% monthly increase.
Job placements achieved in April reached 9,051 across the country, down 3.2% from the same period last year and 10.7% from March.
An analysis of placements by the occupational group for mainland Portugal shows a higher concentration of "unskilled workers" (43.6%), followed by "personal services, protection, security, and sales workers" (19.2%), and "skilled workers in industry, construction, and crafts" (9.5%).
PD/RYOL // ADB.
Lusa
