Pensioners demonstrating in Athens. File photo. Credit: AMNA
According to Eurostat figures released on Monday, Greece recorded the third highest percentage of population (14%) among the European Union member-states living in a state of severe material and social deprivation last year, with Romania taking first place (17.2%) and Bulgaria following in second place (16.6%).
These are the only three EU countries where the percentage of the population in that situation exceeded 10% in 2024, with the average percentage in the EU reaching 6.4% from 6.8% in 2023.
Although that slice of the population decreased significantly in 2024 in Romania and Bulgaria, it increased in Greece, as it had reached 13.5% in 2023.
On the other hand, the countries with the lowest percentages of the population in material and social deprivation in 2024 were Slovenia (1.8%), Croatia (2%), Poland (2.3%), Luxembourg (2.3%) and Cyprus (2.5%).
Credit: Eurostat
According to Eurostat figures, young people under 18 were most affected by severe material and social deprivation (7.9%) throughout Europe, followed by those aged 18 to 64 (6.4%), and those 65 and older (5.1%).
Women had higher rates of severe material and social deprivation than men (6.6% compared with 6.2%). This pattern of higher rates for women was consistent across all observed age groups, except for those under the age of 18.
Millions in Greece are on the threshold of poverty
In a report earlier this year, Eurostat found that more than one in four Greeks or 26.9% of Greece’s population is on the threshold of poverty or social exclusion. In absolute numbers, this translates to 2,740,051 people in a country of 10.4 million.
The report placed Greece behind only Bulgaria (30.3%) and Romania (27.9%) in the 27-member European Union, in terms of the highest proportion of people at risk of poverty or social exclusion. The EU average stands at 21%.
The figures from Europe’s statistical authority come just as the Hellenic Statistical Authority (ELSTAT) released data on deprivation in Greece, confirming the big gap between the country and the EU average.
Related: Greek Pension Crisis Deepens: Average Pensions Fall Below €800