The health and life sciences ecosystem in Portugal, as a high-value-added sector, is characterised by its excellence and competitiveness. Over the past two decades, it has undergone significant evolution and is now an international reference in several fields, including the pharmaceutical industry, biotechnology, digital health, medical devices, and other areas of healthcare. Its strength lies in the quality of its research centres, higher education institutions and companies, as well as in its innovation capacity, talent and competitiveness in the European and global context, reflecting a strong commitment to making the sector one of the country’s main drivers of economic and social development.
In 2024, the sector generated approximately €29.7 billion in annual turnover and €8.9 billion in gross value added. The ecosystem included about 124,000 companies and employed over 268,000 people.
In recent years, Portuguese companies have significantly expanded their exports to the health sector. In 2025, they achieved their highest value ever. Exporters surpassed €5.6 billion for the first time and delivered to 184 markets across different regions. Since 2021, companies have increased sector exports at an average annual rate of 32.6%. In 2025 alone, exporters boosted their output by 37.9% compared to the previous year. This accounted for 7.1% of total Portuguese exports.
Pharmaceutical preparations drive health sector export growth. In recent years, their exports have grown by an average of 41.2%, reaching €4.8 billion in 2025. They account for 85.2% of total sector exports. Medical instruments contribute 10.5%, basic pharmaceutical products 3.8%, and radiation and electromedical equipment 0.5%.
The top export markets are Germany, the United States, Spain, France, and Belgium.
In 2024, the sector generated approximately €29.7 billion in annual turnover and €8.9 billion in gross value added. The ecosystem included about 124,000 companies and employed over 268,000 people.
In recent years, Portuguese companies have significantly expanded their exports to the health sector. In 2025, they achieved their highest value ever. Exporters surpassed €5.6 billion for the first time and delivered to 184 markets across different regions. Since 2021, companies have increased sector exports at an average annual rate of 32.6%. In 2025 alone, exporters boosted their output by 37.9% compared to the previous year. This accounted for 7.1% of total Portuguese exports.
Pharmaceutical preparations drive health sector export growth. In recent years, their exports have grown by an average of 41.2%, reaching €4.8 billion in 2025. They account for 85.2% of total sector exports. Medical instruments contribute 10.5%, basic pharmaceutical products 3.8%, and radiation and electromedical equipment 0.5%.
The top export markets are Germany, the United States, Spain, France, and Belgium.
