Rising prices remain top concern for Greeks
Rising living costs continue to be the biggest concern for Greek households, with more than eight in 10 people saying inflation and higher prices remain a major challenge, according to a new survey commissioned by the Athens Chamber of Tradesmen (EEA).
The Pulse RC survey, conducted among residents of the Attica region, found that 83% of respondents consider rising prices to be a “fairly” or “very” significant issue.
Among them, 61% described the problem as “very significant,” although the figure was slightly lower than in a similar survey conducted two years earlier.
Food prices create biggest pressure
The survey showed that the cost of essential goods remains the main source of financial pressure.
Food, beverages and supermarket expenses were identified as the biggest concern by 63% of respondents.
Energy costs, including electricity, fuel and heating, ranked second, with 23% of participants citing them as a major burden. Concerns over energy expenses were particularly high among self-employed workers.
Economic confidence also remains weak, with 61% of respondents expressing pessimism about Greece’s economic outlook, compared with 36% who said they were optimistic.
The figures remain largely unchanged compared with the previous survey.
Rising costs affect holiday plans
Financial pressures are also changing how Greeks plan their summer holidays.
The survey found that 43% of respondents intend to take holidays for the same number of days as last year, while 25% plan shorter vacations.
Another 24% said they will not take a summer holiday this year.
Among those reducing or cancelling their holiday plans, 66% cited financial difficulties as the main reason, while 16% pointed to high accommodation costs.
Mixed response to government measures
The survey found that 59% of respondents view government support measures for low-income pensioners, families with children and other vulnerable groups positively.
However, more than half of those respondents said additional measures are still needed.
Among self-employed participants, 60% supported a new scheme allowing overdue tax debts to be repaid in up to 72 instalments.
EEA President Ioannis Chatzitheodosiou said the findings show that rising prices remain the biggest challenge for households and small businesses, calling for further measures to address inflation and support the economy.
