Data from the National Health Survey (INS) conducted by the National Institute of Statistics (INE) in the fourth quarter of 2025 show that last year, 18.7% and 14.4% of people said they never consumed processed fish or seafood and processed meat, respectively. However, almost a third reported eating these foods between one and three times a week (32.1% in both cases).

According to the survey, more than half of the population aged 15 or older consumed fruit (68.3%) and milk and dairy products (57.5%) daily, CNN Portugal reports.

Vegetables and salads were consumed daily by 41.2% of the population, while 30% reported eating vegetable soup every day.

“Only 4.4% of people consumed dried, fresh or frozen fish or seafood daily. For fresh or frozen poultry and for fresh or frozen red meat, the proportions were 9.4% and 11.2%, respectively,” according to the INE (National Institute of Statistics).

Sugary soft drinks were consumed daily by 8% of the population, between four and six times a week by 6%, and between one and three times a week by 18.2%. Overall, 32.2% of the population consumed these drinks at least once a week.

The survey also found that more than half of the population aged 18 or older (57.1%) were overweight or obese, with a body mass index of 25 kg/m² or higher.

Alcohol consumption

Regarding alcohol consumption, 20.7% of people aged 15 or older said they had never consumed alcoholic beverages, while 8.6% reported having consumed none during the 12 months before the interview.

Daily alcohol consumption was reported by 15.3% of respondents, with the highest proportions recorded among those aged 65 to 84: 33.3% of those aged 65-74 and 32.0% of those aged 75-84.

“Daily consumption was clearly more frequent among men (23.2% compared to 7.9% among women), those with less education (24.9% and 23.5% among people with no schooling and those with basic education, respectively), and the retired population (32.5%),” the INE said.

According to the survey, risky alcohol consumption was more prevalent among men (51.2%, with 19.5% reporting a monthly frequency), young people (with rates exceeding 50% among those aged 15 to 34 overall and 23% for occasional consumption), and economically inactive people, including students (53.9% overall and 21% for monthly episodes).

Tobacco use in Portugal

Turning to tobacco use, data for 2025 show that 14.6% of the population aged 15 or older were smokers, while 12.7% smoked daily.

Tobacco consumption was higher among men (19.6%, approximately twice the rate recorded among women). The highest proportions of smokers and regular smokers were found among those aged 25 to 64, particularly people aged 45 to 54 (20.5% smokers and 18.7% daily smokers).

In 2025, 3.4% of residents aged 15 or older reported using heated tobacco products daily, while 1.3% reported using e-cigarettes. In both cases, usage was more common among men.

Physical activity

The survey also found that 28.5% of the population aged 15 or older did not walk at all during a typical week, while more than half (53.4%) did not participate in any physical exercise.

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