According to the Institute of Employment and Vocational Training (IEFP), at the end of September, 302,600 unemployed individuals were registered with employment services in mainland Portugal and the autonomous regions, representing 69.2% of a total of 437,080 job applications.

There are 8,149 fewer people registered with employment centres compared to September 2024, with this decline being contributed by those registered for less than 12 months (-8,219), those seeking a new job (-8,440), and those over 25 (-7,981).

This is the second consecutive month of a quarter-on-quarter increase in unemployment, following six consecutive months of decline, and after July, similar to the previous month, saw the number of people registered with employment centers reach its lowest level in two years.

Considering the professional groups of registered unemployed on the continent, the most representative in September, in descending order, were "unskilled workers" (28.4%); "personal service workers, security guards, and salespeople" (19.4%); "specialists in intellectual and scientific activities" (12.4%); and "administrative staff" (10.5%).

Regarding the professional groups with the largest share of the unemployed, compared to the same period last year, the IEFP highlights the decrease among "farmers and skilled workers in agriculture, fishing, and forestry" (-17%), "administrative staff" (-11.2%), "technicians and intermediate-level professions" (-8.3%), and "skilled workers in industry, construction, and crafts" (-6.5%).

On the other hand, there was an increase in unemployment in the professional group "representatives of the legislative branch, executive bodies, directors, and executive managers" (+14.1%) and "unskilled workers" (+4.2%).

Regionally, in September, unemployment decreased year-over-year in all areas except the Center, Alentejo, and Algarve, with the sharpest decline. (-18.5%) occurring in Madeira.

Compared to the previous month, September saw an increase in unemployment in all regions except Lisbon and the Tagus Valley and the Azores.