Wages in Greece have been rising in recent years, yet consumers say life is becoming harder, not easier. The paradox highlights the gap between improving economic indicators and the daily struggle of households to make ends meet.
The minimum wage has increased from €650 in 2019 to €880 in 2025, while the average gross salary now stands at around €1,340. But in real terms, these incomes still leave Greece at the bottom of Europe. According to Eurostat, per capita GDP in purchasing power terms is only 67% of the EU average.
Food prices driving the squeeze
Food inflation, which peaked above 12% in 2022 and remained over 6% through 2023–2024, has left a lasting impact on family budgets. Even though official statistics suggest stabilization, supermarket shelves tell a different story.
A survey by IΕLKA, a Greek consumer research institute, showed that 78% of shoppers now turn to private-label products, while 60% cut quantities or switch to cheaper alternatives they would not have considered before.
Households are spending more money for fewer goods. In 2023, consumer spending exceeded disposable income by about €3 billion, forcing families to dip into savings or borrow.
A life of cutbacks
The strain is visible well beyond supermarkets. More than half of Greeks (52%) say they cannot cover an unexpected €1,000 expense, compared to an EU average of 33%. About 45% cannot afford a week of vacation each year—almost twice the European rate.
The pressure extends to healthcare, with 7.5% of the population postponing medical tests or treatments for financial reasons, nearly triple the levels in northern Europe. These cutbacks add up, creating a lifestyle built on postponement and sacrifice.
More than 26% of Greeks are at risk of poverty or social exclusion, compared with 21% in the EU overall—an enduring reminder that headline growth figures do not always translate into better living standards.
