Portugal has recently been at the center of a heated debate regarding immigration and crime, fueled by misleading claims from far-right political figures. André Ventura, leader of the Chega party, has made several assertions linking immigration to rising crime rates, prompting a thorough fact-checking effort by EuroNews to clarify the facts.
Misleading Claims About Prison Population
The EuroNews report details that André Ventura recently claimed that 20% of Portugal’s prisoners are foreigners, suggesting a direct correlation between immigration and crime. However, data from Portugal’s internal security agency reveals that only 16.7% of the prison population consists of foreign nationals. This figure has remained stable over the years.
- Prison Population Breakdown:
- Total Prisoners: 12,193
- Portuguese Nationals: 83.3% (10,157)
- Foreign Nationals: 16.7% (2,036)
- Africans: 45%
- South Americans: 30.6%
- Europeans: 19.3%
Crime Rates and Immigration
Ventura’s assertions extend beyond prison demographics to claims about rising crime rates in cities like Porto. He stated that crime had increased by 9% in the past year, yet the data tells a different story. Reports indicate a decline in various crime categories, including:
- Residential Burglary: -15.3%
- Voluntary Homicide: -7.2%
- Rape: -4.8%
- Other Thefts: -4%
These statistics suggest that the increase in immigration does not correlate with a rise in crime, contradicting Ventura’s narrative.
Rape Statistics and Misrepresentation
In a parliamentary session, Ventura claimed that many rapes in Portugal were committed by immigrants, citing a figure of 344 rapes in the first eight months of 2024. However, data from the Directorate-General of Prison Services indicates that of the 131 individuals serving sentences for rape, 104 were Portuguese nationals, while only 27 were foreigners. This means that immigrants are responsible for just under 21% of rape convictions, a clear minority.
Immigration Trends in Portugal
The number of foreigners residing in Portugal has significantly increased, with residency permits rising from 480,300 in 2018 to over 1 million in 2023, marking a 117.49% increase. Despite this growth, the overall crime rates have not reflected a corresponding rise in criminal activity.
What Does The EuroNews Report Tell us?
Essentially, EuroNews fact-checking exercise generally debunks claims made by far-right politicians regarding immigration and crime in Portugal. The facts show that while immigration has increased, it has not led to a rise in crime rates, and the majority of serious offenses are committed by Portuguese nationals. This fact-checking effort highlights the importance of relying on accurate data to inform public discourse on immigration and crime.
