Speaking during a visit to a school in Braga to mark the start of the academic year, Carneiro stressed that this issue will receive “specific treatment” at the PS Strategic Council, due to meet in the coming days.

“This year, about 10,000 places were left vacant, which signals serious problems, as this is the first time it has happened since 2016,” he said.

Carneiro noted that between 2016 and 2022, the number of students entering higher education, many securing their first-choice courses, had steadily increased. This year’s reversal, he argued, requires close examination.

The PS leader suggested that the economic and social pressures on families may be a decisive factor, particularly the rising cost of housing and living expenses. “It seems to me that the difficulties families are facing, especially with accommodation costs, could help explain this decline,” he said.

Higher education institutions in Portugal have struggled in recent years to balance expansion with affordability. While more universities and polytechniques have opened places in a bid to meet demand, increasing tuition costs, soaring rents in major cities, and the broader cost-of-living crisis are believed to be deterring prospective students.

Carneiro’s remarks signal a growing political debate over education access, as the government faces mounting calls to address inequality in the system. The upcoming PS Strategic Council is expected to focus on solutions ranging from financial aid to housing policies for students.

This issue is likely to remain central in national political disclosure as Portugal navigates economic challenges and demographic shifts affecting its education system.