en 
The imbalances in the distribution of the population across the territory "have become more accentuated", notes the National Institute of Statistics (INE), noting that "the demographic evolution of the last decade at the level of the municipality allows us to verify that the territories located in the interior of the country have lost population and that the municipalities that register a population growth are located predominantly on the coast”.
Furthermore, according to the data, there is “a concentration” around Lisbon and in the Algarve region.
At the municipal level, “the most significant population increases in the last decade” were registered in Odemira (13.5%) and Mafra (12.8%), followed by Palmela, Alcochete, Vila do Bispo and Montijo, with values between 9.6% and 8.7%.
At the opposite extreme, Barrancos, Tabuaço, Torre do Moncorvo and Nisa observed “the most expressive population decreases, with values above 20%”, according to the data.
The 10 most populous municipalities are Lisbon, Sintra, Vila Nova de Gaia, Porto, Cascais, Loures, Braga, Almada, Matosinhos and Oeiras, but the two largest cities registered population losses: Porto with less 2.4% and Lisbon with less 1.2%. Matosinhos and Oeiras follow the trend of population reduction.
The municipality of Braga recorded the “most expressive” growth (6.5%), followed by Cascais and Sintra, with 3.7% and 2.1%, respectively.
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No surprise. If the Algarve is still quite basic and backwards, despite the high number of foreigners and the few business which offer business to them, the rest of Portugal is stuck in a primitive state, 80 years behind the rest of Europe. Portugal only has itself to blame for maintaining its cult of poverty, unhealthy living and desolate lack of quality of life.
By K from Algarve on 18 Dec 2021, 20:44
People have been moving to cities for decades, in all countries. The infrastructure resides there and governments want It that way.
By Ian from Lisbon on 19 Dec 2021, 07:55
I live inland in the rural central region, characterized by a small, aging population, underinvestment for decades, poor health services and tons of ruinous buildings and empty land. It is also exploited by monoculture plantations, some owned by foreign countries, who don’t mind what erosion, forest fires and soil destruction does to Portugal. This region badly needs land and property reform and a comprehensive re-education of builders and architects to build eco housing, renovate existing ruins and offer incentives, including subsidies and investment to bring young people back. Many like country life for its health and close community benefits, but there is no joined up thinking in Portugal’s government about rural areas.
By Jude Irwin from Beiras on 19 Dec 2021, 08:42
Jude, I agree with you, and it saddens me Portugal doesn't care about its countryside.
By Rob from USA on 20 Dec 2021, 15:21
It's time the Portuguese Government wakes up, and does some serious investments in infrastructure, buildings, housing, manufacture of goods, transit, businesses and commerce, education and etc. In the towns and cities in the interior of Portugal, and in the towns and cities of Portugal that are close to the Spanish border. This will attract young people to stay in these towns and cities, because what they need is good jobs to stay. It will also increase the standard of living in the interior of Portugal for the future generations to come.
By Tony from Other on 20 Dec 2021, 18:18