The number of couples where both partners are unemployed decreased by 2.5% in May compared to the same period last year, and by 2.6% from April, totaling 4,708, based on data released today by the IEFP.
“Of the total of married or cohabiting unemployed individuals, 9,416 (8.1%) also have a record of their spouse being registered as unemployed at the employment service, totaling 4,708 unemployed couples in May 2025, representing -2.5% compared to the same period of the previous year,” states the report from the Instituto do Emprego e Formação Profissional (IEFP).
Despite the decline, it marks a slowdown compared to April, when there was a 4.3% decrease compared to the same period last year.
In month-to-month comparison, the number of couples both unemployed fell by 2.6%, marking a continuous decline since February.
For several years, couples in this double unemployment situation have been entitled to a 10% increase in unemployment benefit when they have dependents.
The IEFP also disclosed that the number of registered unemployed in the mainland Employment Services was 290,550 at the end of May, signifying a 2.8% year-on-year decrease and a 4% drop from the previous month.
