“Due to substantial improvements in integration outcomes over the last decade, the differences between immigrants and natives in [housing] overcrowding rates are much smaller and the poverty gap has even reversed (in favour of migrants)”, reads in the document entitled “Immigrant Integration Indicators”.

The OECD adds that, unlike in other countries, immigrants established in Portugal are much more likely to acquire citizenship.

According to the report, immigrant women are more likely to obtain citizenship of the host country than men in the EU and OECD. This higher female rate is partly attributable to marrying citizens of the host country, which facilitates the acquisition of nationality.

The document also indicates that one in three immigrants has higher education, but warns, with less probability of being employed.


Living conditions

The OECD report indicates that in the last 10 years, the living conditions of immigrants in Portugal have converged to the level of natives.

Due to the colonial past and the migration of workers after the Second World War, a large share of foreigners in Portugal comes from Africa and Latin America, representing more than a third of immigrants (mainly Brazilians).

In the country, according to the OECD, adult immigrants tend to invest more in education than natives.

In the EU, 62% of immigrants claim to have at least advanced competence in the language of the host country, as is the case in Portugal, where many immigrants speak the language of the host country.

As for foreigners who arrived in the EU as children, 52% come from non-European regions – especially Asia (21%), Latin America (16%) and Africa (14%).