The number of job vacancies across the Greek economy fell by 6.4% in the third quarter of this year compared with the same period in 2024, reaching 45,687 positions from 48,813 a year earlier.

The decline marks a sharp reversal from the strong 32.6% increase recorded in the corresponding comparison between the third quarter of 2024 and the third quarter of 2023.

The figures, released by the Hellenic Statistical Authority (ELSTAT), cover the entire economy excluding the primary sector and household activities.

According to ELSTAT, a job vacancy is defined as a newly created position, an existing unfilled post, or a position expected to become vacant shortly, for which the employer has recently taken active steps to recruit a suitable candidate from outside the enterprise.

Such positions must be available either immediately or in the near future. The data refer exclusively to salaried employment.

Positions that are not classified as job vacancies include roles intended to be filled by unpaid trainees, contractors who are not on the payroll, staff who are rehired or returning from paid or unpaid leave, as well as internal transfers of existing personnel within an enterprise.

Vacancies deemed to be in the “near future” include both full-time and part-time positions that are expected to be filled within a period of no more than three months.