Greece’s labor market continues to improve, according to new data from the Parliamentary Budget Office, which reports a rise in full-time employment, a decline in unemployment, and fewer vacant positions during the first half of 2025.

The report highlights positive trends, including stronger job creation and more stable employment, though it also draws attention to a persistent concern: the low participation of women in the workforce compared to men — 53.6% versus 69.2%, respectively.

Job Creation Remains Strong

Between January and June 2025, the Greek economy recorded 340,572 new jobs, slightly higher than in the same period of 2024. A total of 1.76 million hires were made, with 57.3% being full-time positions, while the rest were part-time or rotational contracts.

Sectors such as hospitality, accommodation, and retail trade led job creation, reflecting Greece’s strong tourism season. The number of job vacancies fell sharply by 34.4% year-on-year, dropping to 35,286, with the public administration, healthcare, and manufacturing sectors accounting for the largest shares.

Unemployment Drops Below 9%

According to Eurostat, Greece’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate fell to 8.9% in the second quarter of 2025, down from 10% a year earlier. The total number of unemployed people dropped by about 52,000, reaching 423,000 — a 10.9% decrease compared to 2024.

Youth and Women Lag Behind

Despite these improvements, Greece’s overall labor force participation rate — now at 61.3% — remains below the EU average of 66%. Women continue to be underrepresented, and participation among young people aged 15–29 declined slightly from 44.4% to 43.3% year-on-year.

Experts warn that this gender and youth gap could hinder Greece’s long-term productivity and growth unless addressed through targeted policies and workforce inclusion initiatives.