Lusophone Barometer to Include Macau and Equatorial Guinea
The Lusophone Barometer, a comprehensive study tracking the concerns of citizens across the Portuguese-speaking world, is set to expand its reach. Researchers behind the initiative announced plans to include Equatorial Guinea and the Chinese special administrative region of Macau in its upcoming second edition.
The biennial study is coordinated by Brazilian political scientist Antonio Lavareda and published by the São Paulo-based Institute of Social, Political, and Economic Research. The inaugural edition, released in early 2026 at the Community of Portuguese Language Countries (CPLP) headquarters in Lisbon, surveyed eight of the nine CPLP member states across 25 different social and political indicators.
Overcoming Logistical and Political Hurdles
Equatorial Guinea was notably absent from the first report. Marcelo Pimentel, the executive director of the Lusophone Barometer, attributed this to “logistical problems” and ongoing “democracy issues.” According to Pimentel, the team struggled to find a local research institute capable of executing the project within the country.
Political instability has also impacted the project’s rollout elsewhere. A planned presentation in Guinea-Bissau was abruptly canceled following a military coup on November 26, 2025. The coup led to the deposition of President Umaro Sissoco Embaló and the suspension of the country from the CPLP.
Connecting Macau to the Lusophone World
Pimentel, speaking at the 35th Meeting of the Association of Portuguese Language Universities (AULP) in Macau, emphasized the importance of including the Chinese territory in the next round of data collection. He noted that Macau serves as a “fundamental element” in China’s integration with Portuguese-speaking nations.
“I believe that the research can provide important parameters for both the Macau Government and the CPLP to view Macau through a different lens,” Pimentel said. Since 2003, China has positioned Macau as a strategic platform for economic cooperation with the CPLP via Forum Macau.
Health and Education Top Public Concerns
Data collection for the second edition is scheduled to begin in the second half of 2027, with the final results expected in 2028. The new study will build upon the findings of the first edition, which highlighted significant common ground among Lusophone citizens despite their geographical diversity.
In the initial survey, health emerged as the primary concern for 53% of respondents. Education followed closely at 43%, while unemployment was cited as a major worry by 34% of those surveyed. By including Macau and Equatorial Guinea, researchers hope to provide a truly global snapshot of the challenges and aspirations defining the Portuguese-speaking community.
Image: Pexels – Lara Jameson
