In 2023, 83,538 nurses were certified by the Portuguese Nurses Association, 70.7% of which were generalists; 59.6% worked in hospitals.  

There were 7.9 nurses per 1,000 inhabitants, an indicator that has been rising steadily since 1999. Região de Coimbra and Terras de Trás-os-Montes recorded the highest number of nurses per 1,000 inhabitants. 

The sex ratio was 20.9 male nurses per 100 female nurses. About 12% of male professionals were over 60 years old, while among female nurses this proportion dropped to 9%.