Greece: Rising costs burden families for new school year

The start of the new school year is placing significant financial pressure on Greek households due to rising costs for supplies and extracurricular activities. Basic school supplies, excluding items like bags and water bottles, are estimated to cost between 100 and 120 euros per child. When including mid-range backpacks and lunch containers, the initial preparation cost for a single child can reach approximately 130 to 165 euros, while families with three children may face expenses exceeding 500 euros.

Beyond initial supplies, monthly educational expenses add further strain. For students in primary or middle school, monthly costs for tutoring, language lessons, and extracurricular activities such as music or sports are estimated between 300 and 400 euros. For high school students preparing for national Panhellenic examinations, these monthly expenditures can rise to an average of 600 to 800 euros. These rising costs are exacerbated by inflation and limited wage increases.