One in ten workers in Greece faces poverty, Eurostat Finds Credit: Greek Reporter
A recent Eurostat report places Greece among the five lowest-ranking economies in the European Union, showing that one in ten employed citizens is at risk of poverty. Data indicates that 10.7% of Greek workers are classified as “working poor,” ranking Greece fifth in the EU, behind Luxembourg (13.4%), Bulgaria (11.8%), Spain (11.2%), and Romania (10.9%).
The findings underscore how a decade of financial strain and low wage growth continues to affect Greek households despite broader signs of economic stabilization across the bloc.
Poverty rates higher among men
Among male workers in Greece, 13% live at risk of poverty, making the country the second worst performer in the EU, tied with Bulgaria and just behind Romania (14.4%). Female workers fare somewhat better, with 7.6% considered at risk, placing Greece 14th among EU members, ahead of countries such as Italy, Switzerland, and France.
Across the EU, men are generally more likely than women to experience in-work poverty, particularly in Southern and Eastern Europe.
Income drop for workers across Greece
Eurostat’s publication “Key Figures on Living Conditions in Europe 2025” shows that while the EU’s average disposable income rose by 20.4% from 2010 to 2024, Greece experienced a 25.8% decline, the largest drop in the Union.
Only Italy (-2.8%) and France (-1.7%) also saw decreases, while Romania (+162%), Bulgaria, Poland, Croatia, Hungary, and the Baltic states recorded major growth. The data shows that Greece continues to lag behind much of Europe in income recovery and living standards.
Poverty risk for Europe’s workers
Poverty risk is not limited to the unemployed. In 2024, 8.2% of employed Europeans, including the self-employed, lived below the poverty line. Men faced a higher rate (9%) of poverty risk than women (7.3%).
The highest rate among workers was in Luxembourg (13.4%), while Finland recorded the lowest (2.8%). The largest gender gap appeared in Romania, where men were more than eight percentage points more likely than women to experience poverty.
For Greece, the challenge remains in creating jobs that provide secure and sustainable incomes, reducing the number of workers trapped in poverty despite being employed.