According to the IEFP, 295,756 unemployed people were registered with employment services in mainland Portugal and the autonomous regions at the end of March, representing 67.2% of a total of 440,214 job applications.

There was a 10.2% reduction in the total number of registered unemployed in the country, from 33,765 in the same month in 2025 to 33,765 in the previous month, a decrease of 3.1% (9,423 fewer people registered).

The decrease in registered unemployment, compared to the same month in 2025, in absolute terms, was due to contributions from those registered for less than 12 months, those seeking new employment, and those aged 25 or older, explained the IEFP (Institute for Employment and Vocational Training).

By region

At the regional level, unemployment decreased year-on-year in all regions, with the largest reductions in the North (-13%) and the Azores and Madeira (-12.9%).

In the chain comparison, compared to February, there was also a decrease across all regions.

Professional groups

Regarding professional groups, the decrease in unemployment stands out among "farmers and skilled agricultural, fishing and forestry workers" (-18.2%), "administrative staff" (-13.8%), "plant and machine operators and assembly workers" (-13.1%) and "skilled industrial, construction and craft workers" (-12.9%).

On the other hand, there was an increase in unemployment in the professional group of "representatives of the legislative branch, executive bodies, directors, and executive managers," of 7.9% year-on-year.