Greece continues to grapple with one of the EU’s highest levels of labor market slack, driven by high levels of employment among people actively looking for a job, according to 2023 figures released by Eurostat.
Labor market slack goes beyond traditional unemployment rates to paint a fuller picture of the job market, including those who are available for work but aren’t actively job-hunting and part-time workers who wish for additional hours.
Greece: High Labor Market Slack, High Unemployment, Widest Gender Gap in EU
According to Eurostat, Greece is in the 4th highest place for labor market slack, behind Spain, Italy and Sweeden, with a market slack rate of 16.3%.
The data shows that in Greece, unemployment makes up 65.8% of this slack—a rate significantly higher than the EU average of 48.7%- underscoring the country’s persistent difficulty in absorbing workers into suitable full-time roles.
Furthermore, just 14.6% of Greece’s slack comprises individuals ready to work but not actively seeking jobs, which is among the lowest in the EU and well below the EU average of 23%. Eurostat notes that this category of the labor market often cites a lack of suitable job opportunities as a deterrent.
Underemployment among part-time employees seeking additional hours is also a challenge for Greece, and reveals structural gaps in Greece’s job market. Eurostat notes that this is traditionally a bigger problem in western Europe than in eastern Europe.
Greece also has among the lowest levels of people seeking work but not available. The EU average is 7.5% and for Greece this figure is less than 4%. Some of the reasons for this category of workers that aren’t in the job market include education or training, care responsibilites and illness/disability.
Finally, Greece had the widest gender gap in the EU at 9.8%, reflecting greater labor market slack for women than for men. Meanwhile the EU average for the gender gap between men and women was just 3.6%.
Women are generally more likely to face an unmet supply of employment in the EU, notes Eurostat, with only Latvia, Lithuania, Bulgaria and Romania recording higher labor market slack for men than women.
Source: tovima.com
Latest News
September in Greece Winning Tourists Over from US, Germany
Tourists continue to visit Greece off-season into Sept. with the number of inbound travelers up by 6.6% and a 7.9% rise in travel receipts.
Bank of Greece Governor Says EU will Retaliate to Trump’s Tarrifs
The Bank of Greece Governor defended the independence of central banks amid criticism from U.S. President-elect Donald Trump, who had publicly commented on Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powel
September in Greece Winning Tourists Over from US, Germany
Tourists continue to visit Greece off-season into Sept. with the number of inbound travelers up by 6.6% and a 7.9% rise in travel receipts.
Bitcoin Surges Toward $100K Amid Pro-Crypto Optimism in US
According to Reuters, the cryptocurrency surged to an all-time high, briefly exceeding $96,898 during Asian trading hours.
Greek Driver Violations at a Touch of a Button
Traffic offences recorded in the last five years by Greece’s “Driver Behavior Control System” are now available on Gov.gr Wallet
Milan Tops List of Most Expensive Streets, Athens’ Ermou Holds Steady at 15th Place
In Athens, following Ermou Street is the southern suburb of Glyfada and Tsimiski Street in Thessaloniki.
New Gov.gr Service Enables Secure Reporting of Minor-Related Delinquency
It should also be noted that via the recently introduced initiative ‘Safe Youth’ application citizens have access to specially tailored informative material regarding the safety of children and adolescents
Thousands Strike in Athens Over Soaring Living Costs and Stagnant Wages
Inflation, particularly in food prices, has been crushing Greek households
Greece Overhauls Property Valuation System
Greece plans to launch a revamped property value registry in 2025 and overhaul the way objective values are calculated to enhance tax revenue and improve transparency.
Greece’s New Tax Bill Foresees Tax Relief Beyond Big Business
Tax relief measures in Greece are proposed for freelancers, property owners and farmers, along with 'big business'