Portugal Sees a 50% Increase in Angolans Residents

Portugal has seen a notable increase in Angolan residents.

Portugal News reports that the number of registered voters increased by more 50 percent over the past ten years, going from 20,366 in 2012 to 31,435 in 2012.

SchengenVisaInfo.com reports that Angola was the fifth most representative nation in Portugal as of December 31, 2012. It is after Brazil, Ukraine and Cape Verde.

Ten years later, 11,000 more Angolans emigrated to Portugal. This accounted for 31,435, with over half choosing Portugal's capital (17.440), Setubal (5.821) and Porto (2.22).

These cities have fewer than one thousand Angolan residents:

• Braga (905)
• Santarem (893)
• Coimbra (712)

According to SEM, the following areas have the lowest Angolan population:

• Madeira (40)
• Azores (41)
• Porto Alegre (57)
• Guarda (59).

Last year, data from SEF showed that most Angolans in Portugal were between 20-39 years old. This makes a total of 12,158 people.

However, Angolans aged between 40-64 years (11,150 citizens) were also the largest age group in Portugal last year.

Portugal was home to over 7,071 Angolans under the age of 19, as well as 308 Angolans older than 80.

SEF data also showed that 54 Angolans applied for international protection last January, but were denied by the Portuguese immigration authorities because they were "unfounded".

Portugal's Council of Ministers declared last year that they would relax visa requirements for citizens of eight Portuguese-speaking countries as part of their efforts to address labour shortages in many industries. This was to help those who plan to travel to Portugal.

The government released a press release stating that the amendments were approved today to promote mobility and freedom of motion within the Community of Portuguese-Speaking Countries. This allows the implementation of the Agreement on Mobility among the CPLP member states.

Portugal's authorities revealed that visa facilitation would apply to citizens of the following countries: Angola and Brazil, Cape Verde and East Timor.

Source: schengenvisainfo.com