Portugal's Immigration Surge Compared to Germany
Under the leadership of António Costa, former Prime Minister and now President of the European Council, Portugal positioned itself as a model of multicultural tolerance in Europe. While other countries faced social unrest and violent crime linked to immigration, Portugal presented an image of calm openness.
Context of Immigration in Europe
Countries like France dealt with suburban disturbances, Sweden with gang violence, and Italy with constant sea arrivals. In contrast, Lisbon fostered a more peaceful and inclusive environment.
Demographic Impact on Portugal
Between 2015 and 2024, Portugal saw approximately 150,000 immigrants annually, the highest number relative to population across Europe. For a nation of just over ten million, this influx marked an unprecedented demographic transformation.
Immigration now is "a demographic revolution with no historical parallel, not in the population movements caused by the Arab conquest and the Christian Reconquista in the Middle Ages, and not in the Age of Discoveries."
This wave of immigration surpasses notable historical migrations, including those during Portugal’s imperial expansion and significant medieval population shifts.
Historical Comparisons
Such changes are unparalleled in Portuguese history, exceeding both the medieval population movements and the era when large numbers of people from Portugal’s imperial territories resettled in the mainland.
Author's summary: Portugal's recent immigration influx presents an unmatched demographic transformation, reshaping the nation's social landscape beyond any previous historical migration.