The Azores Regional Statistics Service bulletin for the third quarter of 2025 shows a 2.6% increase in live births and a 1.2% increase in deaths, resulting in a negative natural balance of -93. In the labor market, the unemployment rate stood at 4.8%, while exports of goods reached €51.3 million (+23.3%). Also noteworthy is the strong growth of 294% in live cattle exports and the 3.1% increase in tourist overnight stays, which totaled 1.9 million.

The Azores Regional Statistics Service published its bulletin for the third quarter of this year. In terms of demographics, the third quarter of 2025 saw a positive year-on-year change of 2.6% in the total number of live births. The number of deaths also increased by 1.2% compared to the same period last year. The natural balance remained negative (-93), although less unfavorable than in the third quarter of 2024 (-99). In this quarter, there were 411 marriages, 42 more than in the same period of the previous year, which corresponds to a year-on-year increase of 11.4%.

The crude mortality rate was 10.2‰ in 2024, 0.4 per mille points higher than in the previous year. In the same year, the infant mortality rate stood at 4.8‰, 1.9 per mille points higher than in 2023.

In the labor market, the unemployment rate in the Autonomous Region of the Azores (RAA) was estimated at 4.8% in the third quarter of 2025, a change of -0.1 p.p. compared to the same quarter of the previous year and +0.9 p.p. compared to the previous quarter.

The active population was estimated at 125,600 people, down 0.6% compared to the same period in 2024 and also compared to the previous quarter. The employed population totaled 119,700 people, corresponding to a year-on-year decrease of 0.4% and a quarterly decrease of 1.5%. By sector of activity, the following year-on-year changes were observed: -1.2% in the primary sector; +1% in the secondary sector; -0.7% in the tertiary sector.

The number of salaried workers stood at 103,800, representing a decrease of 1.9% compared to the third quarter of 2024 and 2% compared to the previous quarter. Workers with permanent contracts were estimated at 90,200, a decrease of 0.6% (year-on-year) and 1.1% (compared to the previous quarter). Fixed-term contracts totaled 11,700, corresponding to decreases of 4.1% in both periods.

The unemployed population was estimated at 6,000 people, 3.2% less than in the same quarter of the previous year and 22.4% more than in the previous quarter. Underemployment reached 12,100 people, decreasing by 4.7% year-on-year and increasing by 10.0% compared to the previous quarter.

The employment rate in the 16-64 age group was 72%, 0.1 p.p. more than in the same quarter of the previous year and 0.9 p.p. less than in the previous quarter. The activity rate stood at 61.4%, reflecting decreases of 0.8 p.p. year-on-year and 0.5 p.p. compared to the previous quarter.

Exports of goods reached €51.3 million (+23.3% year-on-year) and imports €55.1 million (-14.6% year-on-year). The balance was negative at €3.8 million, although less unfavorable than in the same quarter of the previous year (-€22.9 million) and in the previous quarter (-€25.4 million). Intra-Community trade showed a positive balance of €7.1 million, while extra-Community trade showed a negative balance of €10.9 million. Food and beverages accounted for the largest share of imports (44.3%) and exports (47.5%). Fisheries products also accounted for a significant share of exports (17.5%; €9 million). International trade was mainly intra-EU (64.4% of imports and 83% of exports).

As for beef exports, 3,300 tons (13,681 animals) were exported, representing increases of 5.2% in weight and 0.6% in number. Exports of live cattle increased by 294%, with strong growth in all categories of cattle. Sales of dairy products reached 45,100 tons (€107.9 million); 85.8% of the volume was destined for export. Compared to the same period last year, exports decreased by 3.8% in volume and 0.3% in value. Cheese was the product with the highest turnover (47.5%) and milk the highest volume (59.7%).

Cow’s milk collection was 150.5 million liters (+1.8% year-on-year). Milk production for consumption reached 25.6 million liters (+9.7% year-on-year). There were year-on-year increases in the production of yogurt (+19.1%), butter (+12.6%), powdered milk (+1.2%), and cheese (+1.2%), and a sharp drop in cream production (-60.7%).

Cattle slaughter decreased by 10% in number and 6.5% in weight; pig slaughter increased by 0.1% in number and 2.3% in weight; and poultry slaughter grew by 4.9% in weight.

8,133 tons of fish were unloaded at fish markets (+118.4%). Canned and prepared fish recorded 2,900 tons exported (+19.2% in volume), totaling 23.1 million (+24.3%). In value, 77.2% went to the domestic market. The export of fresh fish by air was 603.2 tons (-7.6% year-on-year).

Electricity production decreased by 0.9%, due to the drop in geothermal production (-9.5%) and other sources (-0.6%). Thermal production increased by 1.2%. Electricity consumption rose by 0.3%, driven by the domestic sector (+4.6%), while the other sectors recorded decreases.

Billed water consumption reached 6.1 million m³ (+1.3% year-on-year). The domestic sector accounted for 60.5% of the total. There were increases in the domestic (+1.7%) and business (+1.0%) sectors and a decrease in the public sector (-0.9%).

In September 2025, the median bank valuation of housing stood at €1,438/m² (+12.9% year-on-year). For apartments, it reached €2,075/m² (+16.8%) and for houses €1,379/m² (+14.9%). In the third quarter of 2025, 188 buildings were licensed (-23.3%), of which 131 were new constructions (69.7%). A total of 148 new dwellings were licensed (+1.4% year-on-year). Cement sales increased by 7.3%, totaling 36,700 tons; local production accounted for 94.1% (+11.4%).

The retail sales index for food products recorded quarterly year-on-year changes of +8.17% (constant prices, adjusted), +8.31% (constant prices, gross), and +11.25% (current prices). Sales of new vehicles increased by 6.8%, totaling 1,256 units, of which 1,231 were light vehicles (98%).

The number of passengers disembarking increased by 2% year-on-year. Inter-island flights grew by 4.6%, domestic flights by 1.8%, and international flights decreased by 3.9%.

463,500 tons of goods (+17.7%) entered the ports of the Azores and 89,900 tons (+26.9%) left. Food, beverages, and tobacco accounted for 60.6% of total exports.

Tourist demand grew by 3.1% in overnight stays and 1.4% in guests. There were 1.9 million overnight stays and 531,100 guests. The average stay increased by 1.7% to 3.52 nights. Total revenue and room revenue reached €105.7 million and €84.5 million (+9.6% and +6.8%, respectively).

Translated into English as a community outreach program by the Portuguese Beyond Borders Institute (PBBI) and the Modern and Classical Languages and Literatures Department (MCLL), in collaboration with Bruma Publication and ADMA (Azores-Diaspora Media Alliance) at California State University, Fresno. PBBI thanks Luso Financial for sponsoring NOVIDADES.