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OVERVIEW

Portugal has traditionally been a nation of emigrants. However, especially from the last decade of the 20th century onwards, the number of immigrants entering the country increased significantly and Portugal now also numbered amongst the nations receiving immigrants (Almeida et al., 2004). As in the case of other countries in Southern Europe, this was a phenomenon that was part of new migratory trends on a global scale by which countries that had traditionally supplied labour now also began to receive immigrants (Entzinger, 2001). In fact, although there was a reduction in the number of citizens leaving the country, Portugal did not cease to be a nation of emigrants. In effect, over the course of the 20th century, the balance of migrations proved to be positive in only three decades, i.e. decades in which the number of individuals entering the country was greater than the number of citizens leaving the country viz the 1930s, 1970s and 1990s (Rosa & Vieira, 2003). There is a situational explanation for each of these decades, namely: the programme of public works associated with the Portuguese World Fair (1940); decolonisation; and the programme of public works associated with the EXPO 98 in Lisbon (1998 World Fair). In recent times it has been estimated that there has been a revival in Portuguese emigration. OECD data indicates that there has been an increase in the number of Portuguese citizens moving abroad, especially to other European countries (Malheiros, 2006b). Based on data compiled by Eurostat, we have concluded that in 2006 the sum total of immigrant Portuguese nationals who moved to other countries covered by the Eurostat system was 44,445. A Portuguese researcher, Helena Rato, has even estimated that for every 15 new immigrants who come to Portugal, 100 Portuguese leave to go work abroad (Rato, 2008).

Long an emigration country, Portugal began receiving high inflows of migrants from the Portuguese-speaking countries in Africa as of the mid-70s onwards, notably Cape Verde, Angola, Guinea-Bissau, São Tomé and Príncipe and Mozambique. Owing to economic growth from the 1990s onwards, relevant influxes of labour migrants from Brazil and the Eastern European countries, namely Ukraine, Moldova, Russia and Romania were registered.

At present, there are over 445,000 regular migrants residing in Portugal (2010), accounting for about 4 per cent of the total population. Considering the reality of these migration flows particularly the high inflow of Brazilian migrants, populations from Portuguese-speaking countries in Africa and labour migrants from Eastern Europe, IOM assists and works together with the Portuguese Government in migration management in the fields of assisted voluntary return and reintegration, counter-trafficking, migration and development, labour migration and integration

ECONOMIC MIGRATION

Portugal has been affected by two main factors, the impact of the financial crisis in the country, resulting an increasing unemployment rate; and by the economic growth of its regular immigrants countries of origin (e.g. Brazil and Angola). Several incentive measures, programmes and initiatives have been implemented in order to promote the integration of immigrants to the labour market, as well as the integration of those citizens whom remained unemployed. For example the High Commissioner for Immigration and Intercultural Dialogue (ACIDI) also continues its participation in the European Project Integration of highly skilled third countries nationals in Europe: a new proposal for circular talent management co-financed by the European Integration Fund. The project aimed at defining adequate policies directed at highly qualified immigration of third country nationals into the European Union.

 IMMIGRANTS BY NATIONALITIES

INTERNATIONAL MIGRATION

INTEGRATION GOOD EXAMPLES

 The second plan for Immigrants Integration (PII) has introduced new legal amendments concerning the granting of legal support and residents permits to the victims of human trafficking, domestic violence and serious crimes. The PII also achieved several measures, which included the implementation of several initiatives such as: Portuguese for all were 265 language training courses were provided; Programme Choices which registered around 88% of success rate regarding youngster s reintegration at school, training or employment and between 2012 and 2012 it has supported 134 projects involving 134 000 participants; Intercultural school , which honoured ten schools that promoted diversity and integration projects. In addition, the Consultative Council for Immigration Affairs (COCAI) together with ACIDI also approved Programme for Supporting Immigrant Associations, as a result in 2012 a total of 48 projects were supported. Other projects were also launched in 2012 including: Mentors project aiming to create mutual cooperation between Portuguese citizens and immigrants; the Census support office established to support immigrants census; the partnership between ACIDI and the 86 Local Centers for Support to Immigrant Integration (CLAII) promoted the initiative Family next door funded by European Integration Found. The project consisted the Portuguese families hosting other families they didn t know. Finally the Immigration and Borders Service (SEF) has also implemented of integration measures. For example the programme SEF in motion aiming to promote and strengthen the relationship between citizens and SEF. Such programme was done in close cooperation with SEF s Contact Center and with other projects such as SEF goes to school in which SEFs teams visit schools to promote and raise awareness on document legalization campaigns.