Greek unemployment rises to 10.6% in early 2026, sparking political criticism

ELSTAT data for the first quarter of 2026 show Greece's unemployment rate at 10.6%, up from 10.4% in the same period a year earlier. The increase added more than 113,000 people to the unemployed register, putting Greece among the highest unemployment rates in Europe, especially in tourist‑dependent regions such as the South Aegean and the Ionian Islands.

Economists note the figures illustrate a departure from the expected inverse relationship between real GDP growth and unemployment described by Okun's law, as Greece's real GDP growth has remained around 2% annually while joblessness stays high. Opposition leader Pavlos Chrystidis criticized the government for focusing on statistical communication rather than creating resilient jobs, urging a new productive plan centred on innovation, green economy and support for small‑medium enterprises.