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Shortage of labor hits Portugal and key sector calls for workers with salaries reaching 180 thousand euros

Written by Alisson Ficher
Published 22/03/2025 às 17:15
Shortage of labor in Portugal means salaries reach up to 180 thousand euros, with emphasis on requalification and technology professions.
Shortage of labor in Portugal means salaries reach up to 180 thousand euros, with emphasis on requalification and technology professions.

Portugal is facing a labor crisis! Salaries of up to 180 euros are being offered in areas such as artificial intelligence, but the problem is only getting worse!

The labor market in Portugal faces a growing and worrying challenge: the shortage of qualified labor, especially in technological areas.

This lack of specialized professionals has generated an ever-increasing demand for talent, with salaries of up to 180 thousand euros per year in sectors such as artificial intelligence (AI), information security and cloud architecture.

But what is behind this situation and how can it be resolved?

The imbalance between supply and demand for jobs in Portugal

With the rapid evolution of technology and the aging of the population, the labor market scenario in Portugal becomes increasingly challenging.

Although the country produces around 50 graduates annually, many of these graduates do not have the skills required by companies.

This mismatch is a direct reflection of the lack of qualified young people in areas such as technology, engineering and data science.

Furthermore, the emigration of qualified professionals in search of better opportunities abroad further aggravates the situation.

It is estimated that more than 850 thousand young people between 15 and 39 years old have left Portugal in recent years, which makes it difficult to replace the talent that the market so desperately needs.

The impact of labor shortages on businesses and the economy

The shortage of qualified professionals has forced companies to rethink their recruitment strategies and even retrain their own workers.

Positions such as Chief Information Security Officer (CISO) and Chief Technical Officer (CTO) stand out in the market, with salaries that can reach 180 thousand euros per year due to the high demand and low supply of these professionals in the country.

Less valued professions also gain prominence

In addition to high-level positions, some less differentiated technical professions are on the rise in the Portuguese market.

Functions like HVAC system technician, construction managers and international heavy goods vehicle drivers have attracted the attention of companies, which are willing to offer attractive salaries to qualified professionals in these areas.

In some cases, even retired workers are being called back into the market to train new employees, highlighting the urgent need for continuous requalification.

The most sought-after technology areas in 2025

In 2025, the areas of information technology (IT) continue to dominate job vacancies in Portugal.

The most sought after specializations include cloud architecture, artificial intelligence (AI) e Business intelligence.

The demand for professionals in these areas has increased significantly, reflecting the acceleration of digital transformation in recent years.

A artificial intelligence (AI), for example, is becoming an essential tool in several industries, so companies are increasingly looking for experts capable of integrating AI-based solutions into their systems.

The area of Business intelligence, in turn, continues to rise as companies seek to optimize processes through data and detailed analysis.

And as expected, salaries in these areas can range from 60 thousand to 180 thousand euros per year, depending on the professional's experience and specialization.

How can reskilling solve the talent gap?

One of the main solutions to the shortage of skilled labor is professional requalification.

Training and skills development programs are being implemented to meet the demand for talent in strategic sectors.

O PRO_MOV, for example, is part of the European Reskilling 4 Employment Initiative, which aims to train workers for sectors with high demand, such as technology and renewable energy.

Renowned companies such as Sonae e Nestlé, have been actively engaged in requalification programs, promoting the improvement of their employees' skills and contributing to strengthening competitiveness in the job market.

Furthermore, initiatives such as the CESAE Digital offer training in digital skills for more than 10 thousand people annually, ensuring that more professionals are prepared for the challenges of the market.

The role of female inclusion in digital transformation

One of the major challenges faced by Portugal is the female underrepresentation in technological areas.

According to experts, only 30% of participants in data analysis, AI and cybersecurity courses are women, which could widen the gender pay gap in the future.

This reality demands greater efforts to ensure that women have more opportunities in growing areas, with emphasis on technology and inovation.

The future of the labor market in Portugal: challenges and opportunities

Despite the challenges, the job market in Portugal also presents many opportunities for growth and innovation.

As the country advances in its digital transition, areas such as energy efficiency, electric mobility e green economy are gaining prominence, creating new jobs and areas of development.

The role of collaboration between government, companies and educational institutions will be essential to ensure that the workforce is adequately prepared for the challenges e opportunities that will arise in the future.

Investments in training and inclusion: the key to a prosperous future

Investing in quality training, new areas of specialization and inclusion programs for women are essential steps to building a labor market more balanced and competitive in Portugal.

Furthermore, the investment in sectors such as renewable energy, clean technologies e electric mobility points to a promising future for the country, with more jobs being created and more professionals being prepared to work in these fields.

In summary, the shortage of skilled labor in Portugal is a considerable challenge, but with reskilling initiatives and a focus on inclusion e the digital and sustainable transformation, the country has everything it needs to overcome this crisis and achieve a stronger and more competitive job market in the coming years.

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Felipe
Felipe
23/03/2025 14:55

51993209028zap

Christophe
Christophe
23/03/2025 17:15

But go tell someone else the story

Christophe
Christophe
23/03/2025 17:16

You never pay for that here!!!

Alisson Ficher

Journalist graduated in 2017 and working in the field since 2015, with six years of experience in print magazines, stints on broadcast TV channels and over 12 online publications. Specialist in politics, jobs, economics, courses, among other topics. Professional registration: 0087134/SP. If you have any questions, want to report an error or suggest a topic on the topics covered on the site, please contact us by email: alisson.hficher@outlook.com. We do not accept resumes!

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