Portugal – Economy in transition

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Portugal has become a diversified and increasingly service-based economy since joining the EU's (previous version) in 1986. Over the following two decades, successive governments privatized many state-controlled firms and liberalized key areas of the economy, including the financial and telecommunications sectors. The country joined the Economic and Monetary Union in 1999 and began circulating the euro on 1 January 2002 along with 11 other EU members. Portugal's fascinating economic story just reached into pivotal point. Having gone through a mild boom, a slump, and a severe recession, all packed into less the last two decades, the Portuguese economy has re-emerged with a newfound strength.

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Programme focus  

 

The Portugal study trip will examine this recovery in detail, focusing on important structural reforms that have taken place in the last couple of decades in key areas such as skills, investment, export orientation, labour market, financial intermediation, and public finances. Students will be exposed to the drivers behind Portugal's highest economic growth in nearly two decades, fueled by record tourism, an upswing in the housing market, a growing tech sector and strong exports.