Greeks are among the least satisfied in EU states with their financial situation, according to a Eurostat survey.

The study, which includes sub-categories such as overall satisfaction, satisfaction with financial situation, and satisfaction with personal relationships, revealed that Greeks scored among the lowest (5.3) in the EU, whose average stood at 6.6 out of a scale of 0 (least satisfied) to 10 (most satisfied).

Unsurprisingly, the findings on financial situation revealed a stratification based on geographical lines, with citizens in northern and western European countries, where income is higher, being more satisfied, followed by those living in eastern Europe, with nations in southeastern Europe being the least satisfied.

The highest levels of economic satisfaction are reported among households in the Netherlands and Finland, both averaging 7.6. Switzerland follows with 7.5, while Norway and Sweden each score 7.4. Five more countries recorded scores above 7: Austria (7.3), Iceland (7.2), and Belgium, Denmark, and the United Kingdom (all 7.1).

Above the EU average are Romania (7), as well as Germany, Ireland, Malta, and Luxembourg (all 6.8), along with the Czech Republic, Italy, and Slovenia (all 6.7).

Bulgaria records the lowest level of economic satisfaction among the 36 countries surveyed, at 4.6. It is followed by five candidate countries: Turkey (4.7), Albania (4.8), Montenegro (4.9), North Macedonia (5.1), and Serbia (5.2). Greece, at 5.3, is close to this group.

Among Europe’s five largest economies, Spain shows the lowest satisfaction level at 6.3, followed closely by France at 6.4—both below the EU average.

Italy and Germany rank slightly above the EU average, while the United Kingdom reports the highest satisfaction among the group.

These scores are based on surveys and reflect citizens’ perceptions, taking into account factors that shape satisfaction with their economic situation. Among them are well-being, overall life satisfaction, and happiness, as well as the role of income and wealth, cost of living and housing, social protection, employment and job security, inflationary pressures, and economic stability.

The overall conclusion is that economic satisfaction tends to be higher where net earnings are greater. However, while income plays an important role, it does not explain everything.