Greece economy shows growth amid persistent inflation and poverty risks

The Greek economy has demonstrated growth, with GDP increasing by 2% in the first quarter, outpacing the Eurozone's 0.5% growth rate. According to the Bank of Greece, employment has risen and unemployment has declined. Additionally, the primary surplus for 2025 reached 4.9% of GDP, exceeding the 3.7% target, while public debt fell to 146.1% of GDP.

Despite these macroeconomic indicators, citizens face significant economic pressure due to persistent inflation. Average inflation stood at 3.6% between January and August, rising to 3.7% in August. This inflation is driven by rising costs in energy, services, and unprocessed foods.

Data from ELSTAT indicates that 27.5% of the population, approximately 2.8 million people, are at risk of poverty or social exclusion. The rising cost of living has limited the real benefits of wage and pension increases, particularly for lower-income households that spend a larger portion of their earnings on essential goods like food, housing, and energy.