The third annual edition of the Digital Quality of Life Index (DQL) ranks Portugal 30th among 110 countries. Covering 90 percent of the global population, the DQL evaluates countries based on a set of five fundamental digital wellbeing pillars. Portugal shows strong results in e-security (22nd), e-government (27th), but ranks comparatively low in internet quality (33rd), e-infrastructure (39th), and internet affordability (55th).

Compared to last year, the country’s internet affordability index improved by 114 percent. People in Portugal have to work a little bit more than three hours to afford the cheapest broadband internet package, 1 hour 23 minutes less than in 2020.

The research also shows that the country's internet quality index decreased by 13 percent. Portugal ranks 33rd in this pillar and is surpassed by neighbouring Spain and France. Due to high internet speeds – 129.71 Mbps for broadband internet and 42.19 Mbps for mobile – internet quality in the country remains 10 percent higher than the global average.

Portugal has a similar GDP per capita like the Czech Republic, but the e-security of both countries differs substantially – the Czech Republic ranks 2nd in the pillar, while Portugal barely makes it to the top 25.

“Digital opportunities have proved to be more important than ever during the Covid-19 crisis, stressing the importance for every country to ensure fully remote operational capacities for their economies,” – explains Vytautas Kaziukonis, CEO of Surfshark. “That is why, for the third year in a row, we continue the Digital Quality of Life research, which provides a robust global outlook into how countries excel digitally. The index sets the basis for meaningful discussions about how digital advancement impacts a country’s prosperity and where improvements can be made.”