The number of students enrolled in higher education fell by 1.8% in 2025/26 to 447,690, reversing a decade of growth in higher education.
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Author: Redaction
Higher education loses students after a decade of growth
The number of students enrolled in higher education fell for the first time after a decade of continuous growth. Data from the Register of Enrolled Students and Graduates in Higher Education (RAIDES) shows that 447,690 students attended Portuguese higher education institutions in the 2025/26 academic year.
This represents a 1.8% decrease from the approximately 456,000 students recorded the previous year. Despite the decline, the public sector continues to account for the majority of students, with 355,670 enrolled, while private institutions have 92,010.
The change interrupts a trend that had continued since 2014/15. During this period, the number of students increased in both public and private higher education, with the latter recording particularly significant growth.
Fewer new students put pressure on enrolment figures
The decline in higher education enrolment is linked to lower demand for new courses. In 2025, the number of new students starting undergraduate degrees or integrated master's degrees fell by 10.5% compared with the previous year, equivalent to 8,678 fewer students. The National Higher Education Admissions Competition was particularly affected. In the first round, 43,899 candidates were admitted, with around 79% of available places filled. Changes to admission rules were identified as one of the factors affecting demand.
The decline in the young population is also becoming increasingly evident. Portugal's demographic trend, marked by decades of low birth rates, is progressively reducing the number of potential higher education applicants.
International students become increasingly important
International students represent an increasingly significant share of Portuguese higher education institutions. In the last academic year, there were more than 72,000 international students, including those completing their entire education in Portugal and participants in mobility programmes.
This growth has helped universities and polytechnics partially offset the decline in the number of young Portuguese students. For many institutions, attracting international students has become an important strategy in response to the country's demographic changes.
Students enrolled in higher education include those across different levels of study, from short-cycle higher technical programmes to undergraduate degrees, master's degrees and PhDs.
Recovery in admissions could slow the trend
The first results for 2026 point to a recovery in demand. The occupancy rate for places available through the National Higher Education Admissions Competition rose to around 88%, with 49,991 new students admitted, above the figure recorded in the first round of the previous year. This recovery could help limit the decline in higher education enrolment, although it is still too early to determine whether it represents a sustained change.
The demographic outlook nevertheless continues to pose challenges for institutions. The ability to attract new students, strengthen course offerings and recruit international students is likely to become increasingly important for maintaining the scale of Portugal's higher education system.
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