Greece Jobless Rate at 4-Month High

Greece’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate rose to 8.5% in February 2026, following an upwardly revised 7.9% in the previous two months. This marked the highest reading since October 2025, as the number of unemployed individuals climbed by 32 thousand month-on-month, bringing the total to 410.5 thousand. Unemployment among women remained significantly higher than among men, standing at 11.3% compared to 6.2%. Meanwhile, the number of people outside the labour force, those under 75 who are neither employed nor seeking work, fell by 45 thousand to 2,906.8 thousand. On the other hand, employment increased by 9 thousand, lifting the total number of employed individuals to around 4,412.2 thousand.

Greece’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate fell to 7.7% in January 2026 from an upwardly revised 7.9% in the previous month. This marked the lowest reading since November 2008, as the number of unemployed people declined by 4 thousand from the previous month, leaving the total to 369.1 thousand. Unemployment among women remained significantly higher than among men at 10.5% compared to 5.4%. The number of persons outside the labour force, i.e., persons under the age of 75, that neither work nor look for a job, also decreased by 23 thousand to 2,962.9 thousand. Youth unemployment, people aged 15 to 24, rose to 16% from 13% in December. Meanwhile, employment increased by 24 thousand, bringing the total number of employed individuals to around 4,401.7 thousand.

Greece’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate fell to 7.5% in December 2025, the lowest level since May 2008,  compared to a downwardly revised 8.1% in November. The number of unemployed people declined by 31.2 thousand from the previous month, bringing the total to 354.9 thousand. At the same time, employment fell by 19.4 thousand, leaving the total number of employed individuals at around 4.4 million. Meanwhile, the number of people outside the labour force increased by 48.3 thousand to approximately 3 million.