The numbers from the Institute of Employment and Vocational Training (IEFP) showed that the 1.5% drop in unemployment in September was the biggest in that month of the year since the records began in 1989.

In terms of age groups, youths (under 25) and adults saw a year-on-year drop of 11.8% and 8.4%, respectively.

Across the country, compared with September 2015, unemployment fell in all regions, with the biggest improvement in the Algarve (-18.4%).