Greece: Economic and Political Overview

Economic Overview

The Greek economy rebounded strongly and GDP reached its pre-pandemic level. Economic activity grew by 2.1% year-on-year in 2025, mainly driven by domestic demand, though net exports held back growth. Minimum wage hikes boosted private consumption, especially for lower-income households with higher consumption rates. Equipment investment accelerated alongside strong corporate credit growth, while a rise in imports and slow export growth led to a decline in net exports. The EU Commission expects real GDP growth to moderate to 1.8% in 2026 and 1.6% in 2027. Investment will remain a key driver in 2026, supported by a record inflow of EU Recovery and Resilience Facility funds, while an energy price shock weighs on household purchasing power, partly offset by tax cuts and wage increases.

Concerning public finances, the headline balance improved from a deficit of 0.6% of GDP in 2024 to a surplus of 1.7% of GDP in 2025, one of a sustained run of surpluses forecast over 2025-27. This improvement was largely due to slow growth in current expenditure and higher income tax revenues. In 2026, the headline surplus is expected to narrow to 0.8% of GDP, mainly driven by expansionary tax cuts and wage increases. The primary surplus is projected to remain high at around 2.5% of GDP in 2025, as reduced revenue from an additional cut in social security contributions is largely offset by revenue gains from reforms targeting tax evasion and improving compliance. By the end of 2025, the public debt-to-GDP ratio had fallen to 146.1%, far below its 2020 peak, driven by strong growth, high inflation, and significant fiscal consolidation, and is projected to reach 134.4% by 2027. The banking system has strengthened its resilience with improved asset quality and capital adequacy. Asset quality in systemically important banks continued to improve, with the NPL ratio falling to around 3% in Q3 2024, aided by a government-backed securitisation framework. Banks maintained high profits, which, along with capital instrument issuances, enhanced capital adequacy, though there is still potential for further strengthening of voluntary capital buffers (IMF). Disinflation stalled in 2025, with headline inflation averaging 2.9% over the year, amid ongoing services inflation and wage growth. With energy prices rising again, headline inflation is expected to reverse its downward trend and reach 3.7% in 2026 before easing to 2.4% in 2027, while core inflation is likely to remain more persistent due to services inflation and wage growth (EU Commission).

The unemployment rate dropped to 8.9% in 2025, a historic low, and is projected to fall further to 8.3% in 2026 and 7.9% in 2027, while labour shortages persist in sectors such as construction, tourism-related services, and high-skill industries. The labour force participation rate has gradually risen but remains one of the lowest in the EU, particularly for women. According to the latest data by Eurostat, Greece’s GDP per capita is one-third lower than the EU average (estimated at USD 45,264 in 2025 by the World Bank – PPP).

Main Sectors of Industry

Traditionally, Greece's economy has been based on agriculture, and although nowadays the sector represents only 3.8% of GDP and employs 11% of the labour force, these shares are among the highest in the EU (World Bank, latest data available). The country has an agricultural area of around 5,867k hectares and a forest area of 3,901k hectares (FAO). The main crops are tobacco (the third-largest European producer) and cotton. Olives - many of which are used to produce olive oil - are the country's most renowned export crop. Greece has an important sheepherding industry and the fishing sector is well developed in the coastal regions (65% of domestic production of fishery products comes from aquaculture, while the remaining 35% from fishing). Greek agricultural output has declined by 0.3% annually over the past 30 years. According to data from Eurostat, the volume of agricultural output in Greece in 2023 was down by 16% compared to the previous year, while production was valued at nearly EUR 12.9 billion, down 3% from 2022. Including agricultural services and secondary activities, total production topped EUR 14 billion, 1.4% lower than in 2022. The sector contributed EUR 7 billion to GDP in 2023.

As a result of the country's diversification of the economy, industry has replaced agriculture as the second source of income after services, accounting for 15.2% of GDP and employing 16% of the labour force. However, its share was higher before the economic crisis of 2007 (above 20%). Manufacturing is estimated to account for 9% of GDP (World Bank). The main sectors are electronics, transport equipment, clothing manufacturing and construction. Moreover, Greece has the largest maritime fleet in the world. According to data from the Hellenic Statistical Authority, industrial output increased by 6.7% year-on-year in the first eight months of 2024.

The service sector accounts for 67.5% of GDP and employs 73% of the labour force. Tourism provides an essential source of income and on its own contributes to almost one-fifth of GDP (the primary sector of contribution to the national economy). The sector directly employs just below 400,000 people, accounting for 10% of total employment in the country. Greek tourism, including domestic travel and investments, contributed 13% to GDP (EUR 28.5 billion) in 2023, according to the Greek Tourism Confederation. Inbound tourism grew 4% from 2019, reaching 32.7 million travellers, while cruise passenger arrivals rose 26% to 3.3 million. Total international arrivals hit 36 million, a 6% increase from 2019. Tourism receipts (excluding cruises) reached a record EUR 19.8 billion, up 12% from 2019. Cruise revenues surged 70% to EUR 847 million. Concerning the banking sector, in 2023, Greek banks reported post-tax profits of EUR 3.8 billion, up from EUR 3.4 billion in 2022. Their Return on Assets (RoA) and Return on Equity (RoE) reached 1.2% and 12.0%, exceeding the euro area average (data European Banking Federation).

Source: World Bank, Latest data available.

Business environment ranking

Score:

Regulatory Framework: 79.46/100
Public Services: 66.91/100
Operational Efficiency: 61.64/100

World Rank:

Regulatory Framework: 2/101
Public Services: 27/101
Operational Efficiency: 45/101

Source: World Bank Business Ready (B-READY) 2025

Sources of General Economic Information

Ministries

Ministry of Economy, Development and Tourism
Ministry of Finance
Ministry of Maritime Affairs and Insular Policy
Ministry of Infrastructures, Transport and Networks (in Greek)

Statistical Office

Hellenic Statistical Authority (ELSTAT)

Central Bank

European Central Bank
Bank of Greece

Stock Exchange

Athens Exchange

Other Useful Resources

Enterprise Greece - Investment & Trade Promotion Agency
Export Credit Insurance Organisation (ECIO)

Main Online Newspapers

Greek Reporter
Naftemporiki
Kathimerini

Economic Portals

Imerisia

Political Outline

Current Political Leaders

President: Konstantinos Tasoulas (since 13 March 2025)
Prime Minister: Kyriakos Mitsotakis (since 26 June 2023)

Next Election Dates

Presidential: 2030
Parliamentary: 2027

Main Political Parties

The main political parties/alliances currently represented in the Greek parliament include:

- New Democracy (ND): centre-right. ND's policies are based on free-market economics and social conservatism. It obtained 158 seats thanks to the majority bonus system
- Coalition of the Radical Left (SYRIZA): left-wing anti-establishment, populist, anti-austerity (10 seats)
- Movement For Change (PASOK-KINAL): centre-left; it is a breakaway faction from SYRIZA that was formed in 2021
- Communist Party of Greece (KKE): Marxist-Leninist, the oldest party in Greece
- Greek Solution: right-wing, ultranationalist. It was formed in 2016 by former Golden Dawn MP Ilias Kasidiaris
- Democratic Patriotic Movement (Victory): conservatism, Christian nationalism
- Course of Freedom: anti‑establishment, left-wing populist.

Type of State

Greece, officially known as the Hellenic Republic, is a republic based on a parliamentary democracy. Though a monarchy until 1974, Greece today is a constitutional state.

Executive Power

According to the Constitution, executive power is exercised by the President of the Republic and the Government. The role of the President in the executive branch has been reduced to ceremonial since 1986. The post of Prime Minister, Greece's head of government, belongs to the current leader of the political party that can obtain the confidence of a parliamentary majority. The President of the Republic formally appoints the Prime Minister and, on his or her recommendation, appoints and dismisses the other members of the Cabinet. The Prime Minister exercises vast political power and the amendment of 1986 further strengthened their position to the detriment of the President of the Republic.

Legislative Power

Legislative power is exercised by a 300-member unicameral Parliament. Statutes passed by the Parliament are promulgated by the President of the Republic. Parliamentary elections are held every four years, but the President of the Republic is required to dissolve the Parliament earlier on the proposal of the Cabinet, when faced with a national issue of exceptional importance. The President is also required to dissolve the Parliament earlier than scheduled if the opposition succeeds to pass a motion of no confidence.