Category: Expertise strategy
In recent years, Portugal has positioned itself as a growing tech hub and has established itself as a popular location for nearshoring services. Through its success, Portugal now emerges as the new up and coming tech hub in southwestern Europe.
One of the key drivers of powerful IT and tech transformation is the Portuguese government's proactive investment in the technology sector, and in startups.
By implementing numerous policies and programs, such as tax incentives for startup companies and funding for research and development (R&D), the government has cultivated an environment for technological innovation and business growth.
The country is proud of its highly educated workforce, which includes a large percentage of graduates from leading universities. The New University of Lisbon, the University of Mingo, and the Polytechnic Institute of Lisbon are among the top universities for technology in Portugal, which has 32 IT universities.
STEM graduates (in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) constitute 30 % of all graduates, well above the EU average (26 %).
In 2022/2023, it was reported that the number of students enrolled in higher education hit a record 446,028, a 3% increase from the previous year.
Read more about Portugal's beating records of students in higher education here.
According to Eurostat data, approximately 11,000 students graduate each year with Information and Communications Technology and Engineering degrees in particular.
The aggregated number of graduated Portuguese tech and engineering specialists for the last ten years is around 130,000. Sources report that the high-tech-educated workforce currently is above 80,000, and constantly growing.
Adding to the substantial number are European digital nomads and the influx of Portuguese-speaking IT talents from Brazil working as freelancers or remotely, enjoying favourable tax schemes.
In the last decade, over 130,000 tech and engineering students have graduated in Portugal. * Data source Eurostat - illustration: emagine.
Many within the workforce are also multilingual, which is an attractive attribute for nearshoring services as it removes the challenges of language barriers. Ranked in the top 10 of most English-proficient countries in Europe (currently as #9), fluency helps with daily communication and problem-solving.
Another attribute is the country’s close proximity to Western European locations, such as France and Spain, and historical ties with the United Kingdom for trade.
As a Southern European country with a population of 10.41 million, Portugal offers a desirable lifestyle. Its proximity to beaches, warm climate, and rich culture make it an appealing location for non-native tech professionals.
The climatic advantages have also contributed to the growth of a vibrant startup community and attracted international talent, contributing to a dynamic and diverse pool of professionals and furthering the tech sector’s expansion.
In 2023, research highlighted that Portugal was home to 4,000 active start-ups and scale-ups, which provided 25,000 jobs and lifted the economy.
In the centre of it, the captivating capital city, Lisbon, has emerged as a base for startup activity and is said to encourage talent from across the country and worldwide.
Portugal has an emerging “Silicon Valley culture” as one of the top European spots for
digital nomads. The government has launched More remote work could create more opportunities for freelancers in the future.
The startup ecosystem has experienced significant growth and attention due to the support from the government and the vibrant tech community.
This growth has created a ripple effect.
There are now 177 tech companies in Portugal covering 85 services and industries, and the numbers are on the rise. The most popular sector for start-ups is IT, followed by business services.
Portugal's rising prominence in artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning is another significant attractor for candidates and companies.
The government has made substantial investments in R&D in these fields, and several universities and research institutions are now working on cutting-edge AI technologies. This focus on AI has positioned Portugal as a European leader, attracting international investors and companies to the region.
Read more about the AI impact on Portugal here.
To further solidify its reputation as a tech hub, the Portuguese government launched ‘The National Initiative for Digital Skills 2030’.
The latest initiative is structured around five strategic pillars: inclusion, education, qualification, specialisation, and research. It aims to integrate these values into organisations and enhance the country's visibility on the global stage and appeal to international investors and companies.
Deliberate Portuguese government investments have attracted global brands to open captive centres in PT, where the IT market has grown significantly (133%) in the last 10 years up to 2022 compared to other nearshoring locations.
Read more about The National Initiative for Digital Skills 2030 here.
Ready to find out more?Interested to see how we can help you succeed with development in Portugal? Set up a meeting with us.
The advent of artificial intelligence (AI) has sparked discussions across various industries about its potential impact on traditional roles and responsibilities. The field of project management is not exempt from these considerations, and as a project manager, it is only natural to ask yourself: How will AI affect my work?
This article serves as a guide to all aspiring project managers, discussing important considerations and essential skills needed to excel in this dynamic career.
As the first step in the project lifecycle, project initiation is critical in determining the ultimate success of a project. Learn the best practices and key considerations for successful project initiation.
In this article, our hiring manager and recruiter shares his tips on setting up a compelling LinkedIn profile to help you stand out on the job market.
Written by a Test Team Leader and emagineer, this article dives into seven key pitfalls within software testing. Discover how to steer clear of these traps, strengthen your strategies, and lead your team toward testing excellence.
Front-end developer explores how Nx can benefit Angular projects and its compatibility with other technologies like React & Node.
Front-end specialist shares his advice on how to become more efficient in your work as an IT consultant, incorporating habits that will sharpen your expertise and act as a gateway to securing better projects
Within the development process, non-functional requirements emerge as a pivotal factor. The challenge lies in effectively gathering and processing these requirements, ensuring clarity and direction for every member of the IT team. The ultimate goal: crafting a distinctive and dependable end product that offers a seamless experience to the end user.
In today’s fast-paced software development landscape, maintaining application consistency is of utmost importance. One approach that has gained popularity is snapshot testing, and emagineer Kamil Naja is here to take us through the ins and outs.
In the realm of front-end solutions, the vital role of back-end applications cannot be overstated. In this article, emagineer Kamil Naja delves into the world of backend development, uncovering effective methods to optimize the process.
Gain valuable insights into the evolving landscape of front-end development as we explore the transformative applications of AI technologies. This article delves into three prominent AI tools: ChatGPT, GitHub Copilot, and GitHub Copilot Chat, and how they can be leveraged by front-end developers.
A practical guide to land your next job. The consultant interview is a good opportunity to make a lasting impression. Here you can learn how to navigate your next job interview and land the job.
Six easy gains – you can use them today! In this article, you will learn six straightforward tips on upgrading your LinkedIn profile quickly and efficiently – these changes might make all the difference.
What makes a good consultant? While there is no step-by-step guide or a fixed formula to lead you to the top of the game, some characteristics are prevalent in all of expert consultants. Let us take you through five of the most prominent components contributing to success.
Are you an IT expert with several years of experience, and do you dream of working independently and being your boss? It’s not that complicated to start, and we’ve made it easier for you. As a new freelancer, you have many opportunities, but you also face challenges. Check what is required and how to get started.