Uploaded January 2026 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
Professor Dr. Luis Coelho is the Dean of the School of Economics at the University of Algarve and has been in the Algarve since he was 18 years old.
He shares his journey from Beja (where zero of his graduating class returned after university) to studying economics at UAlg, secretly switching from business management without telling his father, and eventually getting his PhD at the University of Edinburgh.
Luis breaks down the stark reality of the Algarve economy: 60% of wealth creation comes directly from tourism and real estate, with another 20-30% indirectly related.
We discuss over-tourism concerns (not yet a major issue according to Observatory for Sustainable Tourism data, but red flags emerging around housing and beach access), the economic contribution of immigrants (positive overall, enabling Portugal's recent growth, but questions about 30% who aren't registered with social security), and why housing prices keep skyrocketing despite interest rate increases that should have slowed the market.
Perfect for anyone trying to understand the economic reality of relocating to the Algarve, why housing is so expensive, what the future holds for the region, or how immigration actually impacts the economy.
Chapters
00:00 Introduction: Dean of School of Economics
00:50 From Beja to the Algarve: Why He Chose Faro
10:33 School of Economics
13:58 How the School Impacts the Algarve Region
16:56 Research Centers and Tourism Studies
20:09 The Reality: 60% of Algarve Economy is Tourism
25:13 Over-Tourism: Is It a Problem Yet?
28:45 Immigration: Economic Boost or Drain?
35:18 Tech Startups and Algarve Tec Hub
38:57 Why Cost of Living Keeps Rising in Portugal
41:51 Housing Crisis: Why Prices Won't Stop Rising
45:10 Future of the Algarve Economy: Three Key Areas
➣ CONTACT US for relocation assistance
Get on a free discovery call and we can outline how we can work with you.
algarveaddicts.com/contact
Check out our Instagram @algarveaddicts
Professor Dr. Luis Coelho is the Dean of the School of Economics at the University of Algarve and has been in the Algarve since he was 18 years old.
He shares his journey from Beja (where zero of his graduating class returned after university) to studying economics at UAlg, secretly switching from business management without telling his father, and eventually getting his PhD at the University of Edinburgh.
Luis breaks down the stark reality of the Algarve economy: 60% of wealth creation comes directly from tourism and real estate, with another 20-30% indirectly related.
We discuss over-tourism concerns (not yet a major issue according to Observatory for Sustainable Tourism data, but red flags emerging around housing and beach access), the economic contribution of immigrants (positive overall, enabling Portugal's recent growth, but questions about 30% who aren't registered with social security), and why housing prices keep skyrocketing despite interest rate increases that should have slowed the market.
Perfect for anyone trying to understand the economic reality of relocating to the Algarve, why housing is so expensive, what the future holds for the region, or how immigration actually impacts the economy.
Chapters
00:00 Introduction: Dean of School of Economics
00:50 From Beja to the Algarve: Why He Chose Faro
10:33 School of Economics
13:58 How the School Impacts the Algarve Region
16:56 Research Centers and Tourism Studies
20:09 The Reality: 60% of Algarve Economy is Tourism
25:13 Over-Tourism: Is It a Problem Yet?
28:45 Immigration: Economic Boost or Drain?
35:18 Tech Startups and Algarve Tec Hub
38:57 Why Cost of Living Keeps Rising in Portugal
41:51 Housing Crisis: Why Prices Won't Stop Rising
45:10 Future of the Algarve Economy: Three Key Areas
➣ CONTACT US for relocation assistance
Get on a free discovery call and we can outline how we can work with you.
algarveaddicts.com/contact
Check out our Instagram @algarveaddicts
