Greece faces economic strain as living costs and housing delays rise

Recent Eurostat data reveals significant economic challenges for Greek households. Approximately 87.1% of the Greek population reports difficulty meeting basic living needs, a figure more than double the European Union average of 42.5%. Additionally, Greece has seen a 22.3% decrease in median equivalent disposable income between 2010 and 2025, contrasting with a 25.4% increase across the EU.

Social implications are evident in youth independence. The average age for young people in Greece to leave their parental home is 30.9 years, ranking among the highest in the EU alongside Slovakia. This delay is linked to lower employment rates among the 20–29 age group and high housing costs. In comparison, the EU average for leaving home is 26.3 years, with Northern European countries like Finland and Denmark seeing much earlier departures.

Despite these pressures, Greek Minister of Labor and Social Security Niki Kerameus highlighted improvements in employment, noting that unemployment has fallen from 18% in 2019 to below 8%. She emphasized government efforts in vocational training and initiatives like ‘Rebrain Greece’ to encourage the return of skilled professionals.