"At the end of May 2026, 274,766 unemployed individuals were registered with employment services in mainland Portugal and the Autonomous Regions, a number that represents 66.0% of a total of 416,487 job applications," it stated.

The total number of registered unemployed was lower than that recorded in the same month of 2025 (-26,139, or -8.7%) and the previous month (-8,524, or -3%).

According to the IEFP, "the decrease in registered unemployment, compared to the same month of 2025, in absolute terms, was due to those registered for less than 12 months (-17,450), those seeking new employment (-22,356) and those over 25 years of age (-21,645)."

In regional terms, in May, unemployment decreased year-on-year across all regions, with more pronounced declines in the North (-12.3%), the Azores (-11.3%) and Madeira (-9.7%).

This trend was repeated compared with the previous month, the IEFP highlighted.

Professional groups of the unemployed

On the other hand, among the professional groups of unemployed registered in the Continent, there are unskilled workers (29.7%), workers in personal services, protection, security, and sales (19.7%), specialists in intellectual and scientific activities (11.2%), and administrative staff (10.4%).

According to the IEFP, in relation to the same month of 2025 and taking into account the professional groups with the greatest expression, there is a decrease in unemployment in the groups of farmers and skilled workers in agriculture, fishing and forestry (-18.4%), skilled workers in industry, construction and crafts (-12.7%), administrative staff (-12.1%), plant and machine operators and assembly workers (-11.9%).

The IEFP highlighted “the increase in unemployment in the professional group of ‘representatives of the legislative power, executive bodies, directors, managers and executive managers’ (+8.3%)”.

As for the economic activity of origin of unemployment, of 241,468 unemployed people who, at the end of the month under analysis, were registered as job seekers in mainland Portugal, 68.6% had worked in service sector activities, with emphasis on real estate, administrative and support services (26.9%).

In turn, 20.5% came from the secondary sector, with particular emphasis on construction (6.0%) and the agricultural sector, with 4% of the unemployed.

"Unemployment shows a decrease in all sectors compared to the same month of 2025: 'agricultural' (-15.0%), 'secondary' (-7.6%) and 'services' (-1.3%)," indicated the IEFP.

Job vacancies

According to the institute, "unfilled job offers at the end of May 2026 totalled 17,703 in employment services throughout the country."

Data released by IEFP also indicate that throughout the month of May 2026, 34,618 unemployed people registered with employment services across the country, a lower number than in the same month in 2025 (-6,541 or 15.9%) and compared with the previous month (-5,138 or 12.9%).

"The job offers received throughout this month totalled 11,321 nationwide, a lower number than in the same month of 2025 (-1,908; -14.4%) and compared to the previous month (-598; -5.0%)," the institute also said.

The economic activities with the greatest representation in job offers received across the continent this month, in descending order, were real estate, administrative and support services, accommodation and food services, wholesale and retail trade, and public administration, education, health and social support activities.

"Placements made during the month of May 2026 totalled 7,822 nationwide," a figure 10.8% lower than that recorded in the same period of 2025 and also 13.6% lower than the previous month.