Portugal: Labor cost

* indicates monthly or quarterly data series
The most recent value is 133.5 index points as of Q2 2026, an increase compared to the previous value of 131.6 index points. Historically, the average for Portugal from Q1 2000 to Q2 2026 is 90.46 index points. The minimum of 65.6 index points was recorded in Q4 2000, while the maximum of 133.5 index points was reached in Q2 2026. Click on the following link to see the values of: Labor cost around the world.
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* indicates monthly or quarterly data series

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  • Measure: index points
  • Definition: The index reflects the level of the total compensation of employees in the economy. Labor costs are defined as core expenditure borne by employers for the purpose of employing staff. They include employee compensation, with wages and salaries in cash and in kind, employers' social security contributions and employment taxes regarded as labor costs minus any subsidies received.
  • Source: Eurostat

Recent values Portugal: Labor cost index
2026  Q2 133.5
2026  Q1 131.6
2025  Q4 131.7
2025  Q3 128.4
2025  Q2 126
2025  Q1 124.3
2024  Q4 123
2024  Q3 121.6


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 Related indicators Latest Reference Measure
 Labor force 5.49 2025 million people
 Unemployment rate 6.16 2025 percent
 Female unemployment 6.53 2025 percent
 Male unemployment 5.80 2025 percent
 Youth unemployment 20.22 2025 percent
 Labor force participation 58.16 2025 percent
 Labor force: percent female 49.68 2025 percent
 Female labor force participation 54.63 2025 percent
 Male labor force participation 62.13 2025 percent
 Hours worked 1,631.00 2023 hours
 Self-employment 14.43 2025 percent
 Employment 5.37 Q2/2026 million employed people
 Unemployment rate 5.70 8/2026 percent
 Labor cost 133.50 Q2/2026 index points
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