Homelessness in Portugal rises 21.8% amid growing European crisis
17 December 2024
In Portugal, the number of people experiencing homelessness grew by 21.8% in just one year, rising from 10,773 in 2022 to 13,128 in 2023.
The main causes identified include unemployment or job insecurity (3,290 cases), alcohol or drug dependency (2,983), and lack of family support (2,926). Since 2018, homelessness in Portugal has increased by 117%. The numbers are likely underestimated, particularly among foreigners.
In Alentejo, the region with the highest relative number of homeless people, it is estimated that between 8% and 10% of homeless people are foreigners – a percentage that is likely underestimated given the nature of such surveys. Many of these individuals work in precarious jobs on farms, often in an undocumented situation, leaving them vulnerable to abandonment or dismissal, which forces them to live on the streets or in derelict buildings.
 | Tomás Pires Across Europe, approximately one million people are homeless, with the number doubling since 2009. The United Kingdom and France stand out with homelessness rates per 10,000 people of 42.6 and 30.7, respectively, both having doubled within a decade. Portugal ranks sixth (10.3), behind Ireland (25.3). Dysfunctional housing markets, economic hardship, inflation, migration crises, and substance abuse are among the main drivers of homelessness across Europe. This situation demands urgent and effective measures, including improved access to affordable housing, reintegration into the workforce, and social support. Without a coordinated response, the problem will continue to worsen, leaving thousands in extreme vulnerability. |
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