Portugal's natural balance stays negative as deaths outnumber births
25 October 2026
Statistics Portugal (INE) has published its monthly vital statistics for Portugal.
In September 2026 there were 8,928 deaths, 157 fewer than in the previous month and 160 more than in September 2025, an increase of 1.8 per cent.
Deaths of children under 1 year of age numbered 15, eight fewer than a year earlier.
In August 2026, 7,267 live births were registered, 292 fewer than in the same month of 2025.
The natural balance in August 2026 was -1,795, an improvement on -2,319 in the same month of 2025.
Marriages celebrated in August 2026 numbered 5,145, an increase of 4.6 per cent over the same month of 2025.
In plain words
Natural balance — Live births minus deaths in a period, leaving migration out of account.
Live birth — A birth where the child shows signs of life, however briefly.