Greece faces high poverty risk as 27.5% of population faces social exclusion

A European Commission report indicates that 27.5% of the Greek population is at risk of poverty or social exclusion, the second-highest rate in the European Union, surpassed only by Bulgaria at 29%. This figure, which reflects data for 2025, highlights a significant gap in living standards despite improvements in the Greek labor market and employment rates.

The risk of poverty and social exclusion is particularly high among children aged 17 and under, reaching 29.6%. Data from ELSTAT also shows an increase in material and social deprivation to 14.9%.

While the Greek labor market has seen wage increases, real wages are projected to remain 0.1% below 2019 levels through 2026. This makes Greece one of only four EU nations—alongside Finland, France, and Italy—where inflation-adjusted earnings have not yet fully recovered to pre-pandemic levels. The report emphasizes that gains in employment have not yet translated into comparable progress in purchasing power or broader living standards for many citizens.