The rising cost of living in Portugal, as a consequence of inflation exacerbated by the war in Ukraine, as well as poverty and social exclusion are the issues of most concern to the Portuguese, according to the latest Eurobarometer.
According to the latest European statistical report, released on 12th January 2023, which surveyed 1,028 Portuguese citizens out of a total of 26,431 citizens belonging to European Union (EU) member states, 98% of people living in Portugal identified the increase in the cost of living, for example through the increase in the price of food products and energy as the issue of most concern, a percentage that is five percentage points higher than the average of the 27.
Despite the concern, 47% of respondents in Portugal replied that so far they are living in some comfort on their income, while 40% said they are currently facing some difficulties and 9% said they are facing quite a lot of difficulties on their current income. Compared to the European average, 46% responded that they live comfortably with their income, while 36% say they experience some difficulties.
The next topic that most concerns the Portuguese population is poverty and social exclusion (95%). Here there is a bigger gap to the European average, as 82% responded that this was a major concern. But the biggest disparity arises when the question is about the possibility of the spread of infectious diseases such as Covid-19 or monkey pox. The Portuguese are more fearful than the European average, as 83% responded that they were "worried" about this hypothesis, as opposed to the EU average of 62%.
Portugal is heading in the "wrong direction"
With the war in Ukraine almost a year old and no outcome in sight, there remains a fear of a nuclear escalation of the conflict, which was reflected in the majority of the more than 1,000 Portuguese citizens surveyed. 89% replied that they fear "nuclear incidents" and only 9% replied that this does not raise any concerns. Looking at the EU bloc countries as a whole, 74% believe the risk is real, while 25% dismiss the possibility
Also questioned on the state of the country in general, 43% of Portuguese respondents considered that the country is going "in the wrong direction", but here the Portuguese are below the European average, which is 62%. 30% of resident citizens consider that Portugal is on the right track, 16% don't know and 11% considered that the situation in the country remains the same.
Regarding the state of the European Union, the Portuguese percentage (35%) contrasts with the European percentage (51%) when the answer is "things are going in the wrong direction". The same percentage of Portuguese citizens considers that the European Union is on the right track.
However, more than half of the Portuguese (52%, in the sample universe of 1,028) are optimistic about the future of the European bloc. In this parameter, the population aged between 15 and 24 years and between 40 and 54 years are those presenting a greater share of optimism in relation to the future of the EU, 52% and 61%, respectively.
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