Dramatic rise in working poverty in Greece – Second worst in the EU

A recent study paints a troubling picture of the Greek labor market, revealing that Greece now holds the second worst position in the European Union in terms of the percentage of employed individuals living in poverty. Only Bulgaria fares worse, according to new findings from the Labor Institute of the General Confederation of Greek Workers (GSEE).

The data is particularly alarming: 8.8% of wage earners in Greece experience severe material and social deprivation, meaning they are unable to meet basic living and social participation needs. Furthermore, nearly three in ten employees (29.3%) report they cannot afford to spend even a small amount on personal or leisure activities on a weekly basis, while 23.5% are unable to regularly participate in recreational activities, underscoring the emotional and social toll of financial insecurity.

While some labor market indicators have shown signs of improvement in recent years, the daily reality for many workers remains difficult due to limited purchasing power. The gap between statistical “recovery” and lived experience is increasingly evident.

Falling Behind Even Eastern Europe
Notably, Greece fares worse than several other EU periphery economies such as Spain, Portugal, and Cyprus, and also lags behind Eastern European countries like Romania, Hungary, and Slovakia. To illustrate:

• Romania: 7.8% severe deprivation
• Hungary: 5.4%
• Slovakia: 3.3%
• Greece: 8.8%

Disparities Across Social Groups
The problem deepens when analyzing different social groups. In 2024, the overall rate of severe material and social deprivation among workers in Greece stood at 9.1%. Among non-salaried workers (freelancers and self-employed), the rate rose to 9.6%. The situation is most dire among the unemployed, with a staggering 41% experiencing deprivation. High rates are also observed among economically inactive individuals:

• Pensioners: 9.1%
• Other non-active groups: 20.6%

Worryingly, 2024 data shows a deterioration compared to 2023 across all groups, indicating a broader, deepening decline in living standards, not a temporary setback. Greek figures are nearly double the EU average.

Alarming Personal Spending and Leisure Access
Greece ranks first in the EU in the share of wage earners who cannot afford to spend even a small personal amount weekly, rising to 29.3% in 2024, up from 27.9% in 2023. Although this is lower than 2019 levels, it remains 21 percentage points above the EU average.

The situation is worse for non-salaried workers (31.4% vs. 7.5% EU average), the unemployed (61.7%), and non-active individuals excluding pensioners (41.3% vs. 16% EU average). Even among pensioners, 30.4% face this issue – more than three times the EU average (9%).

Participation in regular leisure activities – vital for psychological and social well-being – is also significantly limited. In 2024, 23.5% of Greek employees reported being unable to take part in such activities. Greece ranks worst in the EU on this measure too, with a 6.7-point lead over second-worst Romania.

A Persistent Gap Between Work and Dignified Living
The findings reveal a stark truth: a significant portion of Greek workers continue to live in conditions that fail to ensure a decent standard of living. Despite being employed, poverty not only persists – it deepens, highlighting the growing disconnect between statistical economic growth and the social reality on the ground.