In a revealing report released by Eurostat, the challenging living conditions faced by citizens in Greece have come to light. Alarmingly, nearly 9 out of 10 Greeks report struggling to make ends meet, a figure that is more than double the European average of 42.5%. This stark reality has prompted the political party «NIKI» to issue a statement highlighting that Greeks are now poorer compared to the period of the first memorandum and the harsh fiscal adjustments of 2010.
The report underscores three critical areas where Greece stands out negatively:
Health: All 13 regions of Greece rank at the top in Europe for unmet medical needs, indicating a significant healthcare crisis.
Income: Greece has experienced the largest decline in real income within the EU, with a staggering drop of 22.3% since 2010, raising concerns about the economic stability of households.
Energy Poverty: A concerning 18.1% of households report being unable to afford adequate heating for their homes, highlighting the severe impact of rising energy costs on everyday life.
Despite a recorded increase in Greece’s GDP, the labor market is showing a troubling trend in the opposite direction. While employment in the European Union grew by 0.1% compared to the previous quarter, Greece saw a decrease of 0.4%. This downturn raises questions about the sustainability of economic growth.
Moreover, Greek exports have risen by 2.2% year-on-year, yet this growth is only half of the European average. In contrast, imports surged by 3.7%, outpacing exports by 70%, which could lead to trade imbalances.
Finally, there is growing concern over a sudden loss of momentum in investments. The gross fixed capital formation recorded an annual increase of 6.1%, a significant drop from the 12.1% growth seen just a quarter earlier, despite the influx of funds from the Recovery Fund.
These statistics paint a troubling picture of the current economic landscape in Greece, reflecting deep-rooted issues that require urgent attention and action.
