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Portuguese move to booming former colonies
Portuguese move to booming former colonies
| Published: | 17 Apr at 4 PM |
For almost 20 years, thousands upon thousands of people from the former Portuguese colonies have flocked to the Iberian nation in the hope of a better life.
However, the tide is now turning according to the Business Recorder. A large number of Portuguese people are leaving their debt-ridden country for Angola or Brazil, whose booming economies are in sharp contrast to the recession, lack of future perspectives and high unemployment in Portugal.
Around half a million Portuguese emigrated during the last five years, according to official sources in Portugal. This is out of a overall population of just 10.5 million. Analysts have said it is one of the biggest waves of emigration the country has ever experienced.
Over three million Portuguese are currently believed to be living overseas, including those who left their motherland between 1900 and 1975, as well as their descendents. Those who have left the country in recent times have headed for Brazil, African countries such as Mozambique and Angola, European countries, the US, Canada or Asia.
Brazil is eager to attract Portuguese professionals – such as architects or engineers - especially in the build-up to the football World Cup in 2014 and the Olympics two years later. Meanwhile, Angola has emerged from almost three decades of civil war and boasts oil resources which contribute to an economic growth of close to 10 per cent. It needs Portuguese economists, engineers and teachers among many other professions.
However, the tide is now turning according to the Business Recorder. A large number of Portuguese people are leaving their debt-ridden country for Angola or Brazil, whose booming economies are in sharp contrast to the recession, lack of future perspectives and high unemployment in Portugal.
Around half a million Portuguese emigrated during the last five years, according to official sources in Portugal. This is out of a overall population of just 10.5 million. Analysts have said it is one of the biggest waves of emigration the country has ever experienced.
Over three million Portuguese are currently believed to be living overseas, including those who left their motherland between 1900 and 1975, as well as their descendents. Those who have left the country in recent times have headed for Brazil, African countries such as Mozambique and Angola, European countries, the US, Canada or Asia.
Brazil is eager to attract Portuguese professionals – such as architects or engineers - especially in the build-up to the football World Cup in 2014 and the Olympics two years later. Meanwhile, Angola has emerged from almost three decades of civil war and boasts oil resources which contribute to an economic growth of close to 10 per cent. It needs Portuguese economists, engineers and teachers among many other professions.
