As Portugal celebrates the 50th anniversary of the revolution, it is a time to look back and celebrate how the coup led by the Armed Forces Movement (MFA) took to the streets of Lisbon on the 25 April 1974 and made history by overthrowing the Estado Novo.

It was unwavering victory over the fascist dictatorship that was installed in 1933, restoring freedom and enabling Portugal to modernise at every level, hence the revolution date also being referred to as Dia de Liberdade (Freedom Day).

50 years on, what has changed?

The Salazar dictatorship (1933-1974) was based on a one party system which used the secret police PIDE as a central instrument of oppression against those politically opposed to Estado Novo.

According to PORTUGAL DECODED citizens’ rights changed drastically following the revolution, leading to the development of the country and the improvement of living conditions. Today, everyone over 18 years can vote, elections are free and fair and are held regularly and there is press freedom. The revolution year also brought the end of the Colonial War and in 1986, Portugal would go on to join the EU and benefit from this access.

Prior to this, during the Estado Novo regime, there were no free elections, women could only vote if they had completed secondary school, and there was no freedom of speech and no freedom of association, it was a time where illiteracy was at an all-time high and there was strict censorship.

Credits: Supplied Image; Author: PORTUGAL DECODED ; https://www.portugaldecoded.com/

Health

According to Pordata and INE, which is illustrated by PORTUGAL DECODED’s infographic, the National Health Service was one of the major achievements of the revolution.

The graph exemplifies this by sharing that in 1974, the birth rate per 1,000 inhabitants was 20, whereas it is 8 in 2024. The child mortality rate per 1,000 live births lowered significantly from 54 in 1974 to 3 in 2024. Additionally, the number of physicians per 100,000 inhabitants increased from 122 in 1974 to 564 in 2024. Finally, life expectancy has increased from 68 years back in 1974 to 85 years old in 2024.

Education

Another key achievement is education, today, education in Portugal is mandatory and free. According to the infographic, in 1974, the illiteracy rate per 100 inhabitants was 26 whereas in 2024 it was 3, child labour per 100 children under 14 years old was 57 in 1974 whereas today this is illegal. The pre-school coverage rate per 100 children admitted was 8 in 1974 whereas today it is 93. Among those who completed higher education among the 25-34 year old population, per 100 students admitted in 1974 was 4 whereas in 2024 it is 48.