Older workers, women and foreign nationals make up a larger share of unemployment benefit recipients

Between 2015 and 2025, the share of workers aged 50 and over entering unemployment benefits rose from 21% to 26%, while women grew from 51.6% to 53.4% and foreign workers surged from 2.2% to 26.6% of new beneficiaries, according to a Bank of Portugal study. The report also notes that low earners making up to 880 euros accounted for 40% of new entrants in 2025, and about 60% of beneficiaries who stopped receiving the benefit returned to work within a month.