Amadora

Key Facts

Population: 182,000
Country: Portugal

Overview

The densely populated municipality of Amadora is situated in the North West of Lisbon. Oten negatively stigmatized, Amadora is a very young and diverse area – with young people between the ages of 15 – 29 making up 15% and immigrants making up 20% of the total population. For several decades, a significant part of the population was living in illegal housing alongside the many social housing complexes. Poverty, unemployment and precarious work is a daily reality for most residents in the area.

With many residents commuting into Lisbon daily, some of Amadora’s local industries have experienced a decline in recent years. The services sector, however, has grown so that around 80% of employees work in this industry.

Challenges

Compared to other areas around Lisbon, young people from Amadora face multiple disadvantages and challenges. They have a higher dropout rate in primary education and rewer are enrolled in higher education. Local rents are increasing starkly, despite quality of housing conditions remaining poor.

Opportunities

Amadora’s official plan for 2020 clearly identifies improved social cohesion and continued investment in redevelopment as key objectives. Further commitments to improve social policies relating to education, vocational training and other lifelong learning have been announced. There has been a drive to attract new companies and diversify the local economy in a hope to create more jobs. A range of projects aimed at young people offers an exciting opportunity for the youth of Amadora.