In The Economist's fifth annual “Economy of the Year” ranking, Portugal has emerged as the world's best-performing economy for 2025.
Leading the list of 36 wealthiest economies, Portugal's success is driven by its comprehensive excellence across key indicators such as GDP growth, low inflation, a robust labor market, and stock market vitality. These impressive figures not only represent economic strength but also provide a rare strategic opportunity for high-net-worth individuals seeking stable asset allocation, international identity planning, and intergenerational family planning.
Why did Portugal take the global top spot?
According to The Economist's ranking, Portugal performed exceptionally well across five core indicators:
• Strong GDP growth: A long-term boom in tourism, the continuous expansion of technology and innovation industries, and a large influx of wealthy foreign residents choosing to settle in the country have kept Portugal's GDP growth significantly above the European average, serving as a key driver for sustained economic upward momentum.
• Low inflation and price stability: Against a backdrop of widespread global inflationary pressure, Portugal has successfully maintained low inflation and price stability, providing a predictable development environment for families and businesses.
• Robust labor market: The labor market is performing healthily, with unemployment rates consistently maintained at low levels, while the continuous influx of high-quality talent further enhances national competitiveness.
• Stock market gains of over 20%: Portugal's stock market achieved a remarkable gain of more than 20% in 2025, characterized by strong corporate profitability and a vibrant capital market, making it a focal point for global investors.
These performances collectively outline a European economy with a solid structure, sustainable growth, and immense appeal.
Why is Portugal the preferred choice for immigration
and asset allocation?
Portugal not only possesses a solid economic foundation but also offers multi-dimensional competitiveness, including livability, stability, openness, and cost advantages, making it a golden destination for high-net-worth individuals moving to Europe in recent years.
• Extremely high livability and low cost of living: With its sunny Mediterranean climate, safe social environment, friendly community atmosphere, and relatively low cost of living, Portugal has been ranked as one of the most livable countries in the world for many consecutive years.
• Enjoy free movement in the Schengen Area: As a member of the EU and the Schengen Area, holders of Portuguese residency or citizenship can travel freely across 29 Schengen countries in Europe.
• Quality educational resources: Portugal has a well-developed public and private education system with costs lower than most Western European countries, offering abundant international school and higher education resources that are recognized globally. Children with residency can enroll directly in local schools, gaining an advantage for applying to prestigious European universities in the future, or entering top universities in mainland China with lower scores as overseas Chinese students.
Continuous influx of high-net-worth individuals: Portugal attracts a large number of high-net-worth individuals from Europe, America, the Middle East, and Asia, driving industrial upgrading, regional development, and steady growth in the real estate market, creating a positive cycle that continuously attracts foreign investment.
Portugal enters a peak development phase
Now is the right time to immigrate to Portugal
Portugal's top ranking as The Economist's “Economy of the Year” in 2025 is not just an honor; it signifies that its economic structure has entered a healthy, sustainable, and upward cycle. For high-net-worth individuals planning international identity, educational investment, or global asset allocation, immigrating to Portugal is no longer just about identity planning; it is a crucial step in seizing future growth opportunities in Europe.
If you are interested in immigrating to Portugal, you can participate in the Portugal Fund Investment Immigration Program. Investors can invest from €500,000 in funds to apply for Portuguese Golden Residency for their entire family of three generations.
Alternatively, you can immigrate to Portugal through the Cultural and Artistic Donation Program. According to the legislation, applicants only need to invest €200,000 to apply for Portuguese Golden Residency for their entire family of three generations, obtaining an EU passport conveniently and at a low cost.
For more details on Portuguese immigration, please contact us in mainland China at 400-138-2929, or our Hong Kong Customer Service Center at (852) 2802 8798.