Nearly 15% of the Greek population lacks access to at least seven out of thirteen basic goods and services, according to new data from the Hellenic Statistical Authority (ELSTAT), raising fresh questions about whether the country’s much-touted economic recovery is reaching ordinary households.

The figure — 14.9% — is measured by the EU’s Europe 2030 severe material and social deprivation indicator. Crucially, the rate is deteriorating across all age groups.

Deprivation among children aged 0 to 17 rose by two percentage points to 15.9% in 2025, up from 13.9% in 2024. Among those aged 65 and over, the rate climbed 1.3 points to 14.1%, while the working-age population between 18 and 64 saw a 0.6-point increase to 15%.

Overcrowding, Food and Housing

Overcrowded housing affects 28.3% of the total Greek population, rising to 35.3% among the poor and reaching 42.9% among children under 18 — with the figure climbing to 56.3% for children living in poverty.

The data paint a stark picture of food insecurity among the poor: 41.6% of the poor population reports being unable to afford a meal containing chicken, meat, fish or equivalent protein every other day, compared to 5.7% of the non-poor.

Nearly all — 99.9% — of those living in poverty report being unable to meet an unexpected expense of around €500, a figure that stands at 38.5% even among the non-poor.

Housing costs weigh heavily on 26.4% of the total population, with that figure rising to 82.6% among the poor. Meanwhile, 35.9% of the poor report being unable to adequately heat their homes in winter, compared to 13.7% of the non-poor. The inability to afford even one week’s holiday is reported by 82.5% of those in poverty and 37.8% of those who are not.