The average age in Portugal is around 47 years, with recent data showing a median age of 47.3 years for the total population in 2024, increasing from previous years due to low birth rates and longer life expectancy, making it one of Europe's older populations.
In 2022, life expectancy stood 1 year above the EU average at 81.7 years – about two and a half months below its pre-pandemic level. Circulatory diseases were the leading cause of death in 2020, followed by cancer.
Monaco is the country with the highest median age in the world. The population has a median age of around 57 years, which is around six years more than in Japan and Saint Pierre and Miquelon – the other countries that make up the top three.
Cost of Living in Portugal vs USA: What to Expect
Rent is particularly affordable, being 54.2 percent lower than in the US. A couple can comfortably live in Portugal for around $2,500 to $3,000 per month, especially outside major cities.
In 2020, the median age of the Portuguese population was 45 years.
Can you live in Portugal on $1,000 a month? Living in Portugal on $1,000 a month can be challenging, especially in larger cities like Lisbon or Porto, where living costs are higher. This budget might be more feasible in smaller towns or rural areas, where rents and daily expenses are lower.
By embracing a diet rich in fresh, local produce, engaging in regular physical activity, maintaining strong family and social ties, and enjoying a slower, more mindful approach to life, the Portuguese have created a society where living well into old age is not only possible but expected.
The cost of healthcare in Portugal
The public system, Serviço Nacional de Saúde (SNS), is free for residents contributing to social security, as well as for children under 18 and seniors over 65. Some treatments may require co-payments.
If you are a U.S. citizen, you may receive your Social Security payments outside the U.S. as long as you are eligible for them.
The stereotypical case is Japan, where today 10% of the population is over 80 and fully one quarter of the population is either retired or qualifies for retirement. They are by far the oldest country in the world.
In 2020, the median age of Australia's population was 36.9 years.
More than 55 million Americans are age 65 or older, according to the Census Bureau's 2020 population estimates. One-fourth of these older Americans live in one of three states: California, Florida, and Texas.
What Are the Most Common Types of Crime?
🌡️ Climate & tradition — In Portugal's warmer climate and Catholic culture, funerals have traditionally happened quickly, both for practical reasons and as a mark of respect.
According to one estimate, there are 1.5 million smokers in Portugal, of whom about 1.2 million smoke daily. The Azores region has the highest number of smokers (23.4%), followed by the Alentejo (19.1%) and the Algarve (18.6%).
The 10 cheapest municipalities to buy a house in Portugal are located in the interior of the country, in seven districts: Bragança, Vila Real, Guarda, Viseu, Castelo Branco, Coimbra, and Santarém.
The cheapest countries in the world are Pakistan, Egypt, and Bhutan. To live comfortably in one of these states, a person needs under $400 per month. These countries, however, are unconventional choices for expats and digital nomads because of their low levels of safety and quality of life.
The following are the metros topping realtor.com®'s list for best markets for first-time buyers in 2026:
In most situations, Medicare won't pay for health care or supplies you get outside the U.S. The term “outside the U.S.” means anywhere other than the 50 states of the U.S., the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, Guam, American Samoa, and the Northern Mariana Islands.
Cons of Retiring in Portugal
Which Countries Have the Most Sustainable Pension Systems? Iceland, Denmark, and the Netherlands have the most financially sustainable pension systems due to well-balanced contribution rates and participation.
As shown in table 1, in 2021, 7 out of 10 most common causes of death in Portugal were non-communicable diseases. Of these 7 causes of death, cardiovascular diseases were responsible for 26.54%, being ischemic heart disease and stroke the cardiovascular diseases costing more lives in the country.
The Algarve's 'Blue Zones': Healthiest Places to Live
While the Algarve isn't officially designated as a "Blue Zone", a term used to describe regions where people live significantly longer and healthier lives, it embodies many of the lifestyle factors associated with these areas.
You're comparing apples and oranges.... Folks that want to leave Portugal are mostly young, starting careers and want to go to places where they can get higher salaries, they don't care about cost of living and instead want to have a chance to build a nest egg.