Main trends in the health conditions of young people

Strategic Framework

Portugal now operates under the National Health Plan 2030 (Plano Nacional de Saúde 2030), which sets priorities up to 2030—such as a better start in life, violence prevention, protection of vulnerable populations, prevention of premature mortality, emergency preparedness, and the strengthening of public health. The plan was approved by Council of Ministers Resolution No. 93/2023 and is coordinated by the Directorate‑General of Health (Direção‑Geral da Saúde, DGS).

Physical Activity and Sedentarism Among Young People

The 2024 profile of the World Health Organization – Regional Office for Europe indicates that levels of physical activity in Portugal remain below WHO targets, reinforcing the need for cross‑cutting public policies. In parallel, the National Programme for the Promotion of Physical Activity (Programa Nacional para a Promoção da Atividade Física, PANAF) maintains annual reports and the PANAF platform for monitoring and dissemination of good practices.

Adolescent Health and Lifestyles (HBSC 2022)

The HBSC 2022 national study (Health Behaviour in School‑aged Children), coordinated in Portugal by the Aventura Social team with the support of General Directorate for Health (Direção-Geral de Saúde – DGS), shows an increase in perceived unhappiness in the post‑pandemic period (27.7%) and signals of risk in well‑being, despite some gains in physical activity in several groups. The survey includes 5,809 pupils (6th, 8th and 10th grades) and provides insights on mental health, substance use, sexuality and school‑related factors.

Healthy Eating and Obesity

The National Programme for the Promotion of Healthy Eating (Programa Nacional para a Promoção da Alimentação Saudável, PNPAS) publishes annual reports with epidemiological data and policy measures, including updates on the Integrated Strategy for the Promotion of Healthy Eating (Estratégia Integrada para a Promoção da Alimentação Saudável, EIPAS). The PNPAS 2024 Report (published in 2025) updates trends and actions relating to reformulation, literacy and the food environment.

Food Regulatory Environment for Minors

Since 2019, Law No. 30/2019 has restricted advertising of foods and beverages high in sugar, salt or fat aimed at children under 16, including on television, radio, digital media, cinema and in the vicinity of schools. In 2024, an interministerial Impact Assessment Study on the effects of the law was published, strengthening monitoring and the DGS nutritional profiling approach.

Tobacco, Related Products and Young People

Between 2023 and 2024, Portugal transposed the European directive equating heated tobacco and e‑cigarettes with conventional tobacco, reinforcing rules on sales, labelling and consumption. Legislative work focused mainly on the transposition phase, with potential additional measures expected to be discussed later.

Mental Health: Access and Services

Public provision includes the Psychological Counselling Line of SNS 24 (Linha de Aconselhamento Psicológico do SNS 24), available 24/7 and operated by clinical psychologists, with referral to the National Institute of Medical Emergency (Instituto Nacional de Emergência Médica, INEM) in high‑risk situations. By 2024/2025, the service had handled more than 280,000 calls since 2020 and also offers support in English.

Relevant National Plans and Programmes

In addition to the PNS 2030, the DGS priority programmes remain active and regularly updated — PANAF (Physical Activity) and PNPAS (Healthy Eating). Portugal also approved the National Plan for the Reduction of Addictive Behaviours and Dependencies 2030 (Plano Nacional para a Redução dos Comportamentos Aditivos e das Dependências 2030), with its 2024 Action Plan, coordinated by the Intervention Service on Addictive Behaviours and Dependencies (Serviço de Intervenção nos Comportamentos Aditivos e nas Dependências, SICAD).

Main concepts (Operational Definitions)

Addictive behaviours and dependencies: include substance‑related behaviours (e.g. alcohol, tobacco, cannabis) and non‑substance addictions (e.g. gambling, screens), as defined in the PNRCAD‑2030.

Youth‑friendly health services: WHO principles of accessibility, confidentiality and age‑appropriateness, operationalised in Portugal through services such as the SNS 24 Psychological Counselling Line and sexual and reproductive health appointments in primary care.