Labour market overview at national level
Based on the available seasonally adjusted data, the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) in volume terms in the fourth quarter of 2022 showed an increase of 5.2% compared to the fourth quarter of 2021 and an increase of 1.4% compared to the third quarter of 2022.
In Q4 2022:
– The number of employed persons amounted to 4,135,231 and the number of unemployed persons to 558,416.
– The unemployment rate stood at 11.9%, showing a slight increase compared to the previous quarter (Q3 2022), which was 11.6%, but a significant decrease compared to the corresponding quarter of the previous year (Q4 2021), which was 13.2%. However, the unemployment rate in Greece remains high.
– Employment decreased by 1.9%, compared to the previous quarter, but showed a significant increase of 2% compared to the corresponding quarter of the previous year.
– The number of unemployed persons increased by 0.5%, compared to the previous quarter, but decreased significantly (by 9.6%) compared to the corresponding quarter of the previous year.
– The economically inactive, i.e. people not working or looking for work, amounted to 4,351,018 persons. For citizens under 75 years old, the economically inactive amounted to 3,130,986 persons. Their share increased by 2.3% compared to the previous quarter and decreased by 1.7% compared to the same quarter last year.
The highest unemployment rates are observed among women, people aged up to 24 years old, in the Thessaly Region and people who have completed up to a few grades of primary school. The highest labour force participation rate is observed among men, aged 30-44 years, in the Region of Attica, people who have completed post-secondary education and people of foreign citizenship.
In Q4 2022, the largest share of the employed are employed as salaried workers (69.6%), while the share of self-employed without staff is also significant (19.8%).
The share of part-time employment is 8.1%, while the share of people in temporary employment is 6.3%. Part-time employment shows an increase of 10.1% compared to the previous quarter and a decrease of 9.2% compared to the corresponding quarter of the previous year. Temporary employment has decreased considerably compared to the previous quarter (-24.7%), while it has also increased compared to the corresponding quarter of the previous year (2.1%).
The occupations with the largest share of employed persons are professionals (22.4%) and service and sales workers (20.9%). Compared to the previous quarter, the largest increase occurs among professionals (2.9%), while the largest decrease is observed among service and sales workers (-8.7%). Compared to the same quarter of the previous year, the largest increase is recorded for operators of industrial plant, machinery and equipment (9.5%), while a decrease is observed for service and sales workers (-6%) and for technicians and associate professionals (-4.4%). The largest proportion of employees (49.5%) report working 40 – 47 hours in the reference week, while a significant proportion (19.2%) report working 48 hours or more. The majority of those employed (78.1%) say they worked their usual hours, while 7.1% say they would like to work more hours. 1.5% say they have a second job, while 3.1% are underemployed part-time workers who would like to work more.
The majority of people outside the labour force, aged 15-74, have either never worked before (46.4%) or it has been more than 8 years since they last stopped working (28.6%). Of those who have worked within the last 8 years, the largest proportion stopped working because they retired (55.7%) or because their job was of limited duration and ended (21.6%). 92.1% of those outside the labour force say they would not like to work. 1.2% say they are looking for work but are not immediately available to take it up, while 4.6% say they are available to take up work immediately but are not looking for it.
Greece has a population of about 10.5 million, according to the 2021 census. It is estimated that more than 1,000,000 foreign migrants were employed in the country before the onset of the financial crisis. However, in a few years and due to the collapse of the labour market, and in particular the construction industry, there has been a trend of exodus of foreign workers and their families. The latest official figures show that in the 5 years of recession (2009-2013) 33% of the jobs held by foreigners were lost. According to 2014 ELSTAT data, the number of legally resident immigrants in Greece was 708,054, and 75-80% of them were economically active.
Moreover, the negative development of the refugee issue in recent years has mainly affected Greece, which is located on the most common geographical path used by refugees. According to European Commission estimates, a large wave of refugees has entered the EU illegally, with a very large number of them using Greece as a point of entry, thus creating significant burdens on the economy and negative effects on tourism on the islands. During the peak of the refugee issue, illegal immigrants also entered the country, many of whom have moved to other EU countries. According to Greek police statistics, the number of foreigners arrested by police and port authorities for illegal entry and stay amounted to 123,710 in 2019, compared to 93,367 in 2018. In terms of countries of origin of illegal aliens, Afghanistan ranked first with 32,497 people, followed by Syria (21,395), Pakistan (10,481), Albania (10,203), Iraq (8,418) and Turkey (8,017). Illegal aliens also come from Iran, Bangladesh, Palestine, Somalia and Algeria. The EU is contributing to addressing the issue with funding both within and outside the EU through humanitarian and development assistance.
Immigration legislation, as codified by Law 4251/2014, sets the conditions for the promotion of the legal employment of foreign workers and protects their labour and social security rights. Thus, the smooth integration of migrants into the labour market is sought on the basis of their legal employment, with positive prospects both for them and for the Greek economy and society in general.
Labour mobility in Greece is limited compared to other European countries. This is due to the extremely high rate of owner-occupation (80%) and to social and cultural factors, where family and kin networks, which constitute an informal but extremely strong social protection network, play an important role. It is also due to the fact that the unemployment rate of foreign nationals is higher than that of Greek nationals.
The majority of businesses (more than 80 % of all businesses) are small in terms of turnover (up to EUR 150 000). The predominance of the small size of the enterprise is also shown by the average size of employment. The majority of enterprises (more than 85%) employ up to 5 employees.
FUTHER INFORMATION
– The occupations with the largest share of employed persons are professionals, as well as service and sales workers, based on the statistical data mentioned above for Q4 2022. The sectors of the economy that are performing well and in which the largest increase in the number of persons employed is shown are found in manufacturing, transport, storage, public administration and education. A large number of jobs are offered in the tourism sector.
– A high proportion of the unemployed appear to have worked in the past in enterprises active in wholesale and retail trade, repair of motor vehicles and motorcycles, manufacturing and accommodation and food services.
In order to improve the employability of the domestic available workforce, it is necessary to orient education towards the development of green and digital skills, as well as soft skills in general.
Labour market overview – Eastern Macedonia and Thrace (border region with Bulgaria)
– The Region of Eastern Macedonia & Thrace administratively unifies five regional units: Drama, Evros, Kavala, Xanthi and Rodopi. The cumulative unemployment rate in Q4 2022 was 5.34% compared to 5.29% in Q4 2021, showing an upward trend of 0.05%.
– The employment sector is dominated by self-employed persons of both genders, with women working mainly on a subsidiary basis, but contributing significantly to the overall performance of the family business. This is a predominantly agricultural region, since the productive share of agriculture as a proportion of total gross national product (GNP) is the highest in the country.
– According to the data on registered jobs, the positions offered by employers are as follows: In the Region of Eastern Macedonia & Thrace most of the positions are seasonal positions in the tourism sector and unskilled workers. The following are the positions of senior management and administrative staff and salespersons. In addition, skilled craftsmen and technicians as well as office staff are also sought.
– The total number of registered unemployed is 1,084,440 persons in December 2022. In the Region of Eastern Macedonia and Thrace the number of registered unemployed is 57,837 (5.33%). The total number of subsidized unemployed in the month of December 2022 is 254,093 persons. Of these 112,614 (44.32%) are common subsidized persons, 1,603 (0.63%) are subsidized persons in building and technical professions, 118,977 (46.82%) are seasonal subsidized persons in tourism professions, 19,067 (7.50%) are seasonal other subsidized persons (agricultural), 1,756 (0.69%) are subsidized persons in education and 76 (0.03%) are other subsidized persons.
Labour market overview – Central Macedonia (border region with Bulgaria and North Macedonia)
– The Region of Central Macedonia consists of the Regional Units of Imathia, Thessaloniki, Kilkis, Pella, Pieria, Serres and Halkidiki. According to the 4th quarter 2020 data, the Region of Central Macedonia accounts for 18.97% of the total number of unemployed in the country, with the highest percentage being concentrated in the Region of Thessaloniki with 63.75% (registered unemployed as a percentage of the permanent population). For the 4th quarter of 2022, the unemployment rate reached 14.9%, showing a slight increase compared to the corresponding quarter of the previous year (14.7%).
– The Regional Unit of Halkidiki has a developed hotel and restaurant sector, while the Regional Units of Kilkis and Thessaloniki have relatively strong manufacturing sectors (larger than the national average). The Regional Unit of Serres has a long-standing and significant presence in the manufacturing of industrial products and, together with the Regional Unit of Pella, has the proportionally largest agriculture sectors.
– The largest share of all enterprises is concentrated in the Regional Unit of Thessaloniki. Most enterprises are of a commercial nature, followed by manufacturing industries.
– According to the data of registered jobs in the Region of Central Macedonia, the positions offered by employers are as follows: In the Regional Unit of Thessaloniki, most of the positions are for office workers, personal service workers, salespersons and related professions, unskilled workers in mining, construction, manufacturing and transport, sales specialists, brokers, estate agents, business service workers in general, transport drivers and mobile equipment operators, teachers, street vendors, domestic helpers, customer service and related workers, etc.
– In the Regional Unit of Halkidiki, the posts available are mainly for office workers, personal service workers, sales and related trades, unskilled mining, construction, manufacturing and transport workers, transport drivers and mobile equipment operators, technologists and technical assistants in the biological and health sciences, and customer service and related trades workers. During the summer months, there is a high demand for occupations related to the tourism and catering sector.
– In the Regional Unit of Kilkis there are positions for unskilled workers in mining, construction, manufacturing and transport, personal service workers, hawkers, transport drivers and mobile equipment operators, office workers, etc.
– In the Regional Unit of Pella there is a supply of posts for office workers, personal service workers, salespersons and related trades, unskilled mining, construction, manufacturing and transport workers, technologists and technical assistants in the biological and health sciences, etc.
– In the Regional Unit of Imathia, most of the positions are for unskilled mining, construction, manufacturing and transport workers, personal service workers, salespersons and related professionals, office workers, etc.
– In the Regional Unit of Pieria, there are more vacancies for office workers, personal service workers, salespersons and related trades, hawkers, domestic workers, transport drivers and mobile equipment operators, etc.
– Finally, in the Regional Unit of Serres, most of the posts are available for clerical workers, personal service workers, technologists and technical assistants in the biological and health sciences, salespersons and related trades, transport and mobile equipment operators, etc.
Labour market overview – Western Macedonia (border region with North Macedonia)
– The Region of Western Macedonia includes the Regional Units of Grevena, Kastoria, Kozani and Florina.
– For the 4th quarter of 2022, the Region of Western Macedonia has the second highest unemployment rate in the country, i.e. 15.2%, but lower than the 17.2% in the corresponding quarter of 2010. It also accounts for 2.81% of all registered unemployed in the country and has the third highest long-term unemployment rate in the country (57.25%).
– It participates in industrial energy production, as well as in agricultural production.
– According to the data of registered jobs in the Region of Western Macedonia, the positions offered by employers are as follows: In the Regional Unit of Grevena most of the positions are for office workers, employees in the provision of personal services (cooks, waiters, waitresses, hotel employees, etc.), livestock farmers, horticulturalists and nursery growers and foresters.
– In the Regional Unit of Kastoria there are vacancies for shop assistants, office workers, personal service workers (cooks, waiters, waitresses, hotel staff, etc.) and horticultural and nursery workers.
– In the Kozani Regional Unit most of the jobs are for shop assistants, drivers and mobile equipment operators. These are followed by positions for unskilled manufacturing workers, craftsmen in the erection and repair of buildings and other construction works, as well as protection service workers. In recent years there has been a strong growth in agricultural production, especially in the field of organic products and super-foods.
– Finally, in the Regional Unit of Florina, most of the jobs are for office workers, waiters, shop assistants, cleaners of offices and other premises, horticulturists and nursery workers, and forestry workers.
Latest developments
The labour market picture in Greece has been systematically improving in recent years, despite the temporary turbulence caused by the pandemic. This has been helped by the implementation of interventions that sometimes support and sometimes facilitate the upward trend in the labour market due to positive economic growth rates, according to the Reforms Observatory Bulletin of the Centre for Employment and Social Affairs. However, labour market participation and employment rates in our country remain lower than in most EU Member States and unemployment remains high. In fact, deviations from the European average are more pronounced for specific social groups, such as women, young people and foreigners.
This means that employment interventions and the resulting reforms have an essential role to play in the process of convergence towards European labour market standards.
The broader reform framework for the Greek economy is set by the National Recovery and Resilience Plan (NRP) and, on an annual basis, by the National Reform Programme, while the Ministry of Labour and Social Security formulates each year a specific plan of action and labour market interventions.
One of the four key pillars of the EES strategy refers to employment, skills and social cohesion, and foresees reforms in active and passive employment policies, in training and retraining programmes focusing on digital skills, and in vocational education and training and apprenticeship systems.
In addition, it provides for reforms and investments in education to improve educational outcomes and link education to the labour market, as well as programmes for the economic inclusion of vulnerable groups and ensuring equal opportunities. In addition, the National Reform Programme for the year 2023 specifies interventions aimed at promoting short-term employment of unemployed people in the private sector, upgrading their skills and acquiring new ones, focusing on vulnerable groups such as young people, women, the long-term unemployed and workers in areas with high unemployment rates.
https://www.newmoney.gr/roh/ergasiaka/kepe-pos-diamorfonete-i-agora-ergasias-stin-ellada/
The nine pillars that will lead the Greek labour market
Work in Greece, with the developments of recent years, has changed significantly, as organizations and businesses are changing the way they act and the way they manage the needs of the market, aiming not only for survival but also for growth. These changes are even greater on a European and global scale.
Expanding the skills of workers is essential in an ever-changing and demanding labour market, irrespective of sector and subject. A broader range of knowledge is required for communication, collaboration, problem-solving and learning itself.
This is shown by the analysis of the E-Learning department of the University of Athens, through the research team led by Dr. This study was carried out by the University of Athens University of Applied Sciences, under the supervision of Prof. Prof. Dr. Dr. Lerner. The research team, led by Panagiotis Petrakis, Professor of Economics at the Athens University of Economics and Business, which deals with issues of development of the productive structure of the Greek economy, linking the labour market with training, professional skills, etc.
Specifically, this analysis reveals changes in occupational activities, with consequent changes in the requirements for human capital.
For example, a decrease in the importance of machinery management is expected, while there will be an increase in communication, administration, management or customer service skills, as well as personal service.
Indicatively, the following programmes have emerged as a result of this study and cover important pillars (environment, information technology and telecommunications, economy, organisation and management of organisations, marketing, education, management of cultural and tourist wealth), on which the Greek economy and society will be based in the coming years, as well as programmes of skills that the modern professional should have in the digital age.
– Digital and Green Skills
– Programming with Python: business, digital skills
– Back End Developer
– SEO & SEM
– B2B Marketing & Sales
– HR Management: Decision Making Mechanisms and Processes
– Digital Leadership as a Management Tool.
– Climate Change and Landscape Technology
– Sustainable Finance