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2 clusters · 4 sources · 4 days · First seen · Last updated
Western Macedonia economic decline
Overview
Eurostat data indicates that the real GDP of Western Macedonia in Greece contracted by 18% between 2019 and 2024. This decline represents the second-largest contraction among all European Union regions, following only the Yugovizotcen region in Bulgaria. While much of Europe has recovered to pre-pandemic economic levels, Western Macedonia remains at only 82% of its 2019 output.
Political figures, including Olga Markogiannakis of PASOK-KINAL, have attributed this economic downturn to the phase-out of lignite. Critics argue that while the transition aims for new investment, it has dismantled the existing productive model without establishing a successful replacement.
The region also faces a demographic crisis, ranking second among European regions for population decline due to an aging population and youth migration. Western Macedonia remains one of the weakest economies in Europe, with a real GDP per capita at 48% of the EU average.
Entities
Western Macedonia · Eurostat · Olga Markogiannakis · PASOK-KINAL · European Union
Timeline
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[POLITICS] 2 sourcesWestern Macedonia faces 18% GDP decline amid energy transition
PASOK-KINAL spokesperson Olga Markogiannakis reports that Western Macedonia's GDP fell by 18% since 2019, marking a severe economic decline during Greece's energy transition.
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[BUSINESS] 2 sourcesWestern Macedonia economy shrinks by 18% since 2019
Eurostat reports that Western Macedonia's real GDP fell by 18% between 2019 and 2024, marking the second-worst decline in the EU.
Sources
dimokratia.gr · iskra.gr · kozan.gr · xronos-kozanis.gr