Greece’s response to cost-of-living crisis failing vulnerable populations, report shows
Greece’s response to the ongoing cost-of-living crisis is proving inadequate, with high housing costs, insufficient wage increases and nearly half of households unable to afford basic necessities, according to a 2024 report by the European Committee of Social Rights (ECSR).
The report, which evaluates the actions of 41 European nations, highlights the urgent need for stronger social protections as inflation and housing costs continue to strain the country’s most vulnerable populations.
While Greece raised the minimum wage by 9.5% in 2023, it barely kept pace with inflation, which stood at 3.7% in December of that year. The Greek General Confederation of Labour (GSEE) has called for a more significant increase in the minimum wage and the restoration of collective bargaining rights to better protect workers.
Housing costs are a major concern. Greece is among the EU countries where low-income households spend the highest proportion of their income on housing, with 62.4% of income spent by poor households. For those living below the poverty threshold, this figure reached 38.2% in 2023, up from 36.9% in 2020. Additionally, nearly half (47.3%) of Greek households are in arrears on mortgage, rent or utility bills, one of the highest rates in Europe. In comparison, the EU average for housing costs as a percentage of income is 19.7%.
The heating crisis is another critical issue. In 2022, 18.7% of households reported being unable to keep their homes adequately warm, far exceeding the EU average of 9.3%. This adds to the financial strain on low-income families, many already burdened by rising living costs. The inability to afford heating disproportionately affects vulnerable groups, worsening the overall impact of the cost-of-living crisis.
Despite temporary relief measures, such as a “household basket” to stabilize prices and financial assistance for pensioners, the Greek National Commission for Human Rights (GNCHR) warns that these efforts are insufficient.
Kathimerini
