Greece unemployment rate hits 18-year low of 7.4%

unemployment rate Greek labor market ELSTAT employment statistics Niki Keramei

Greece's unemployment rate fell to 7.4% in August, marking an 18-year low according to data from the Hellenic Statistical Authority (ELSTAT). The number of unemployed individuals dropped to 350,800, representing a 16.1% decrease compared to August 2025.

Demographic breakdowns show significant improvements across various groups. The unemployment rate for men fell to 4.9%, while the rate for women dropped to 10.3%. Notably, youth unemployment (ages 15-24) saw a substantial decline from 21.8% in August 2025 to 15.6% in August 2026. The employment rate also increased, with 4,410,105 people employed, a 2% rise from the previous year.

Minister of Labour and Social Security Niki Keramei stated that this is the second-best unemployment performance in the country's history, noting that Greece is now only 0.1 percentage points away from its all-time lowest unemployment record. The Ministry is currently implementing a strategic plan to further boost employment, focusing on skills development and increasing participation among youth, women, people with disabilities, and older workers.

Entities

ELSTAT · Greece · Ministry of Labour and Social Security · Niki Keramei

Claims

What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.

[● 3 SOURCES] The unemployment rate for men was 4.9%. www.dimokratia.gr · www.naftemporiki.gr
[● 2 SOURCES] The number of employed persons reached 4,410,105. www.dimokratia.gr · www.naftemporiki.gr
[● 3 SOURCES] The unemployment rate for women was 10.3%. www.dimokratia.gr · www.naftemporiki.gr
[● 2 SOURCES] The August unemployment rate is the second-best performance in the country's history. www.naftemporiki.gr
[● 3 SOURCES] The unemployment rate in Greece fell to 7.4% in August. www.dimokratia.gr · www.naftemporiki.gr
[● 2 SOURCES] The number of unemployed persons was 350,800 in August. www.dimokratia.gr · www.naftemporiki.gr
[● 2 SOURCES] The current rate is only 0.1 percentage points away from the lowest recorded unemployment rate in Greece. www.naftemporiki.gr
[● 3 SOURCES] The unemployment rate for youth aged 15-24 was 15.6%. www.dimokratia.gr · www.naftemporiki.gr