Greece grapples with high graduate unemployment amid modest economic growth

Eurostat data shows that recent university graduates in Greece face higher unemployment than peers in Central Europe, with graduate unemployment rates well above the EU average of 3.6%. While NEET rates have fallen, Greece still records the highest share of young people (over 13%) out of education, work or training in the Union.

Bank of Piraeus reports that Greece's real GDP grew by 2% year‑on‑year in Q1 2026, driven by private consumption, investment and an improving trade balance. Employment rose by 1.3% annually, keeping the unemployment rate around 10.6%. Inflation remains a concern, with the CPI at 5.2% in May and Eurostat’s harmonised inflation falling to 3.9% in June. The bank notes a resilient labour market but highlights inflation as the main challenge to the economy's continued recovery.