Greek tourism is emerging as the country’s most powerful job creator, with employment recording a sharp upswing during the three-month period from February to April, when the tourism season officially begins.
The sector has once again proven to be the primary engine of job growth in 2025, according to the latest labour market data.
Among the occupations posting the strongest gains in the first months of the year were hotel housekeepers, waitstaff, chefs and hotel receptionists — positions closely tied to the accommodation and hospitality industries.
Labour market figures from the Ergani information system show that 17,211 new jobs were created in February, rising to 56,437 in March and surging to 145,209 in April. Notably, 63% of all hires recorded in April were full-time positions.
Employment Trends in 2025
Average annual employment increased by 1.5% in 2025 compared with 2024, adding 63,700 workers to the country’s labour force. By the end of the year, employed individuals accounted for 92% of the labour force.
The improvement was not only quantitative but also qualitative. Full-time employment continued to gain ground, while the share of part-time work fell to 5.3% of total employment by year-end, down significantly from 8.1% in 2022.
Women’s participation in the labour market also strengthened. Employment among women grew by 2.6% in 2025, substantially outpacing the 0.6% increase recorded among men.
At the same time, salaried employees accounted for 72.5% of total employment, the highest level seen in the past five years.
While tourism remained the sector with the strongest capacity to absorb labour, employment growth extended across a broad range of service industries.
Wholesale and retail trade added 45,000 jobs during the year, while professional, scientific and technical activities generated 31,200 new positions. The arts, entertainment and recreation sector also posted strong gains, creating an additional 17,200 jobs.
Overall, 13 of the country’s 21 economic sectors recorded positive hiring balances by the end of 2025, underscoring the breadth of the labour market’s expansion.
