Which are the poorest regions in Greece?
The growing threat of poverty and social exclusion in Greece ranks among Europe’s most pressing issues. As of 2023, two Greek regions were identified as having the highest poverty and social exclusion risk among EU member states. According to Eurostat, Peloponnese (35.7%) and Western Greece (35.2%) stand out, with over 35% of their populations at risk.
In five other Greek regions, 25% to 35% of the population faces similar challenges:
Western Macedonia: 32.7%
Eastern Macedonia and Thrace: 31.5%
North Aegean: 30.4%
Central Macedonia: 29.6%
Ionian Islands: 27.7%
These statistics reveal that roughly one in three residents in these areas experiences severe material deprivation or is at risk of social exclusion.
The European Context
Across the EU, 21.4% of the population (about 94.6 million people) faced the risk of poverty or social exclusion in 2023. However, disparities exist. Southern Italy, rural Romania, and France’s overseas territories report the highest risks.
Conversely, capital cities often fare better:
In Romania, while the national risk stands at 32%, Bucharest reports only 12.3%.
In Poland, the national rate is 16.3%, but Warsaw sees just 8.9%.
Some exceptions include Brussels (37.6%) and Vienna (29.5%), where the risk levels exceed national averages.
These findings underscore the urgency for targeted economic and social measures in Greece’s most vulnerable regions.
