The sizes of Portugal
To the north and east with Spain; to the west with the immense Atlantic Ocean, Portugal’s rectangular borders have been the same for many centuries. The same, underline. Phenomenon that represents a rarity in Europe. There are 1214 km of land and 943 km of coastline.
The continent’s territory covers an area of almost 89 thousand square kilometers. It is 218 kilometers wide and 561 kilometers long. To this area, the Autonomous Regions of Madeira and the Azores must be added to make up a total of 91,831 square km.
It is true that the dimensions will have always been the same, with the exception of the unexpected addition by the eruption of the Capelinhos Volcano, on the island of Faial, in September, which, between 1957 and October of the following year, expanded the initial 2.4 square km by 2.4 km.*
There will certainly not be any other change to the physical size of Portugal.
Quite different, however, are the successive variations in the size of the resident population. As evidenced by the regular censuses, organized by the INE, Portugal sometimes grows, sometimes decreases, to grow again and then to decrease.
So, what about in the future? Will the population of Portugal grow? Decrease? Stay at the current level of 10.3 million inhabitants?
It is important, in terms of citizenship, to understand the demographic profile and trends. For this, there are also the factors identified, the global growth, on the contrary, that make the importance decrease.
So, information is needed.
In 1815, it is estimated that the Portuguese were 2.9 million. In 1864, the first census carried out, revealed 3.8 million inhabitants. In 1878, there were already 4.1 million residents. In 1890, more than 500 thousand inhabitants. In 1900, it reached the level of 5 million. As of 2001, the population remains above the maintenance line of 10 million. Since this year, it has next status of the same level: 10.3 million in 2001; ten years later there are 2 million inhabitants and 2 million now from 10.0 million1, which is equivalent to a reduction of inhabitants of 201% compared to 2.
On the horizon, with current indicators and with a tendency to show signs of risk of a consequent increase in the population, which could represent a problem due to the workforce and the problem of pension sustainability.
There are fewer children born to women of childbearing age and fewer births altogether. That is, there are low and low birth rates.
Note the recorded variations.
In 2021, every 10 women of childbearing age are only 13 years old, on average, which is not enough to ensure a start for children, as it would be necessary, 21 for every 10 women.
In 2021, 79 thousand children were born and in the year 2000, 120 thousand were born.
As is well known, children do not show evidence of the fertilization of the woman’s egg by a sperm. Undoubtedly. In nature this is always the case. It is a two-way process, between man and woman. But whether the pregnancy that lasts 9 months, or childbirth, are the burden of women of childbearing age…
Moral of the story:
For Portugal to be able to reduce the rate of decline of its population, it needs: higher fertility levels; more children; more immigrants and less emigrants.
*This 2.4 square km area then later to, 8 square km equal to 0 of the sea and the wind
Former Director General of Health
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