Alentejo region

The origin of its name, "além" + "Tejo" combined as Alentejo, literally translates to "Beyond-the-Tagus". However, a large part of the subregion Lezíria do Tejo is located on the right bank of the Tagus. The Alentejo is completely located beyond the left margin of the Tagus River. Its main cities are Évora, Elvas, Portalegre, Beja, Moura, Serpa, and Sines.

• Name — Alentejo • Other Name — Região do Alentejo • Type — NUTS • Etymology — além-Tejo Portuguese for beyond the Tagus or across the Tagus (note: Lezíria do Tejo is partly of the left margin of the Tagus and partly on the right margin of the Tagus) • Subdivision Type — Country • Subdivision Name — Portugal • Seat Type — Capital • Area Total Km2 — 27317 • Population As Of — 2011 • Population Total — 471322 (7th) • Population Density Km2 — auto • Time Zone1 — WET • Utc Offset1 — +0 • Time Zone1 Dst — WEST • Utc Offset1 Dst — +1 • Custom Label1 Sec1 — NUTS • Custom Data1 Sec1 — PT18 • Demographics Type1 — GDP (nominal) • Demographics1 Title1 — Total • Demographics1 Info1 — €12.035 billion (2024) • Demographics1 Title2 — Per capita • Demographics1 Info2 — €25,348 (2024) • Custom Label Sec1 — HDI (2021) • Custom Data Sec1 — 0.842 · 5th • Footnotes — Geographic detail from Instituto Geográfico Português (2010)

The region is subdivided into five intermunicipal communities (NUTS 3 regions): • Alentejo Litoral • Alentejo Central • Alto Alentejo • Baixo Alentejo

The resident population of the Alentejo stands at around 759,000 (fourth quarter, 2008 – 2 700 less than the fourth quarter of 2007), with 49% men and 51% women. It is the least densely populated region in the country, representing over one third of national territory but only 7.1% of its population. It is also the region with the oldest population, 22.9% being 65 years of age or more (while the national average is 17.5%). The population is still declining – especially in the east of the Alentejo. Locals are said to migrate from the villages to the towns and from the towns to cities beyond the Alentejo. Some migration into the Alentejo is from Northern Europeans looking to escape their overcrowded regions, though not always permanently, just for sunny holiday retreats. People from China, Brazil, and mostly from (South-)Eastern Europe add to curbing population decline.

In 2006, the region had an estimated GDP per inhabitant rating of 17,200 EUR. In 2018, the Gross domestic product (GDP) of the region was 13.1 billion euros, accounting for 6.4% of Portugal's economic output. GDP per capita adjusted for purchasing power was 21,700 euros or 72% of the EU27 average in the same year. The GDP per employee was 73% of the EU average.

• Illustration — Alto Alentejo Province 1936 • Illustration — Baixo Alentejo Province 1936 • Illustration — Location of Alentejo in Portugal • Illustration — Alto Alentejo (NUTS III) • Illustration — Baixo Alentejo (NUTS III) • Illustration — Alentejo Litoral (NUTS III) • Illustration — Alentejo Central (NUTS III)