Greece has the second-worst record in the European Union when it comes to the living conditions of people with disabilities, according to new data from the National Confederation of Disabled People (ESAmeA).
In 2024, one in two Greeks aged 16–64 with a disability lived in poverty or faced social exclusion. Among those aged 65 and older, three in ten were affected. The figures paint a grim picture of widespread hardship in a country still grappling with the long-term effects of economic crises.
High Debt and Housing Burdens
The data show that Greece has the EU’s highest share of people with disabilities carrying overdue debts (44.5%) and households overburdened by housing costs (33%). For many, the cost of shelter alone consumes an unsustainable share of income.
Low Employment, High Healthcare Costs
Employment opportunities remain limited. Only 25.3% of working-age people with disabilities participate in the labor force. In healthcare, Greece records the second-highest level of private spending in the EU, with 34.3% of medical costs paid directly out of pocket by households.
As a result, eight in ten people with disabilities report cutting back on basic living expenses to cover healthcare needs.
“Marginalized and Excluded”
ESAmeA representatives warn that multiple overlapping crises—economic, social, and structural—have created what they call a “dangerous social condition,” pushing large sections of the population into marginalization.
“The excessive cost of housing, skyrocketing prices of essential goods, energy and fuel, combined with the additional expenses linked to disability and chronic or rare illnesses, make it impossible for many to meet even basic daily needs,” the confederation noted.
Elderly at Risk
The situation is equally bleak for older people with disabilities. Years of pension cuts, coupled with soaring living costs, have left many retirees struggling to survive. Without relief, they risk falling into extreme poverty and social isolation.
