Funchal, Madeira, Portugal, July 11, 2025 (Lusa) - The migrant population residing in the district of Funchal, the capital of the Portuguese island of Madeira, is 7,400 people of 80 nationalities, the city council said on Friday, adding that housing and the language barrier are the main problems facing the community.
"Cities are not neutral when it comes to migration. Cities either integrate or exclude. The city of Funchal has made a clear choice and what we do is work hard on the integration of migrants," said Ana Bracamonte, the councillor responsible for the Diaspora and Migration portfolio.
The councillor was speaking at the presentation of the Diagnostic Study of the Migrant Community in Funchal, commissioned by the city council (PSD/CDS-PP), which she said paints a "faithful and objective picture" of the reality of the district, the most populous in the Autonomous Region of Madeira.
Statistical data refer to 2023, when 14,000 foreigners from 123 nationalities lived in the archipelago, of which 7,400 from 80 nationalities lived in the district of Funchal.
According to Ana Bracamonte, the predominant nationalities are Venezuela, Brazil and Germany.
"We have positive aspects and we have challenges," she said, highlighting as a positive aspect the fact that in 2023 the migrant population accounted for 39% of births registered in the district and, on the other hand, filled gaps in the labour market, particularly in the hotel and restaurant sector.
As for the challenges, she pointed to access to housing as the main one, but also highlighted the difficulties in accessing services due to the language barrier.
"The solution lies in networking with various entities," she argued.
Launched in April, the Diagnostic Study of the Migrant Community in Funchal was based on around 500 interviews with immigrants, Portuguese emigrants who have returned and civil society organisations representing or working with migrant communities.
"The study had a higher level of participation than local authorities such as Cascais and Amadora in mainland Portugal, which demonstrates the social cohesion that exists and the interest in participating in this type of study and implementing solutions," said Councillor Ana Bracamonte.
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