More than one in four Greeks are at risk of poverty or social exclusion, with children, women, and single-parent families affected the most, according to the latest report by the Hellenic Statistical Authority (ELSTAT).
The 2024 Household Income and Living Conditions Survey reveals that 26.9% of the population, or 2,740,051 people, are in danger of poverty or social exclusion. This marks a rise of 0.8 percentage points from 26.1% in 2023.
The poverty threshold In Greece is defined as an annual income of 6,510 euros for a single-person household and 13,671 euros for a family of four.
Experts caution that the actual number may be even higher when accounting for unregistered or marginalized groups, such as the homeless, undocumented migrants, and members of the Roma community.
The survey findings also indicate that single-parent households face significantly higher poverty risks, with children in these families being especially vulnerable. Even individuals with employment report serious difficulties making ends meet.
Other key findings include:
- The risk of poverty is lower among those with a higher level of education.
- 76% of households said their income remained stable over the past year; 13.3% reported an increase, while 10.2% experienced a decrease.
- The average equivalent individual disposable income rose to 12,391 euros, up by 7.3% over 2023.
- Work remains the primary income source (70.6%) followed by pensions (23.4%).
- The highest poverty rates were reported in Northern and Central Greece, while the lowest were seen in Attica, the Aegean Islands, and Crete.
