Most immigrant workers in the Algarve are young adults
A study from a collaborative research group in tourism shows that nearly half of the immigrant workers in the Algarve’s tourism sector are young adults, mostly from Brazil, who are seeking better living conditions in a country that feels culturally similar to theirs.
The study found that 47.8% of the participants were young adults, mainly aged 30 to 39, and most were from Brazil. In a summary of the study provided to Lusa news agency, these immigrants were described as seeing Portugal as a cultural extension of their home country and looking to improve their quality of life.
The study, titled Immigrants in the Tourism and Hospitality Profession in the Algarve, was based on 499 surveys completed between summer 2023 and early 2024. It identifies three main groups of immigrants, each with different reasons for being in Portugal and different plans for the future.
The first group, which represents immigrants seeking cultural connection and financial stability, sees Portugal as a way to secure a better life. However, their satisfaction with living conditions is only moderate, which may affect whether they stay in the long term.
The second group, making up 43.9% of participants, is made up of young people (aged 20-29) from Brazil, India, and Nepal, who are mostly single and with an education ranging from secondary to higher education. These immigrants are looking for a better quality of life, personal development, and security – things they feel they lack in their home countries. They are generally highly satisfied with their life in Portugal and plan to stay long-term, the study’s summary explains.
The third group, representing about 8.3% of the immigrants, consists of young Europeans with higher qualifications. This group of immigrants in the Algarve “perceive the country as a platform for networking and career growth, but not necessarily as a definitive destination”. In other words, they view Portugal as a stepping stone but are less connected to the local culture and may eventually leave for other countries or return home.
The study was conducted by KIPt, a tourism research group at the University of Algarve, which works to bring together academic experts, businesses, and associations to improve the tourism sector.
Source: LUSA
