Greece is a developed country and the first area in Europe where advanced early civilizations emerged. With its rich history, Greece is a place that appeals to the young and old.
During the 1st quarter of 2009 the unemployment rate (that is, the percentage of unemployed persons over the labour force, which is the sum of employed and unemployed persons) was 9.3%. During the corresponding quarter of 2008, unemployment rate was 8.3%.
During the 1st quarter of 2009, the percentage of labour force over population aged 15 years old and over was 53.5%.
Females’ unemployment rate (13.0%) is almost double than males’ unemployment rate (6.8%).
By observing the unemployment rate for different age groups, we see that the highest unemployment rate is found among young people aged 15-29 years old (18.5%). For young females, the unemployment rate is 23.1%.
Considering educational level, unemployment rate is higher than the total rate for persons who have not attended school (14.5%) , for those who have completed ISCED 5b level programs (11.0%) and for those who have completed ISCED 2 programs (10.9%). Lower unemployment rates are observed in the case of persons that completed ISCED 5AS and 6 programs (5.7%) and ISCED 5 programs (5.9%).
The number of unemployed persons is estimated at 462,343. The 86.7% of the unemployed persons are looking for a full time job. In particular, 40.8% of unemployed is looking only for a full time job, while 45.8% is looking for full time job, but, if needed, would accept to work part time. A significant part of the unemployed persons (11.1%) did not accept an offer for job, for various reasons. Main reported reasons were:
a) wage was not satisfactory (24.2%),
b) the place of job was not suitable (23.1%),
c) working hours were not convenient (17.5%).
The percentage of “new” unemployed, that is the percentage of persons that entered for the first time into labour market, is 29.2%. We must note that the percentage of “long term” unemployed, that is the percentage of persons that were looking for a job for more than 1 year (irrespectively of being “new” or “old” unemployed), is 41.3%.
Unemployment rate is higher for persons of foreign nationality (10.7% compared to 9.2%). In contrast, the percentage of economically active persons with foreign nationality is much higher than the corresponding mean “national” percentage (72.1% compared to 52.1%). Geographical (NUTS II) areas with the highest unemployment rate are Notio Aigaio (16.9%), Dytiki Makedonia (14.4%) and Ionia Nisia (14.1%). The lowest unemployment rates are observed in Voreio Aigaio (7,0%) and in Attiki (7.6%).
During 1st quarter of 2009, 90,206 persons who were unemployed one year ago found a job. During the same period, 80,273 persons that were inactive one year ago, got in to employment. In contrary, 104,937 persons who were working one year ago, during the 1st quarter 2008 are unemployed and 76,832 persons that were working, are now inactive. In addition, 84,758 persons who were inactive one year ago, during 1st quarter 2009 entered labour market, and are searching for a job. If we examine changes in employment by different sector of economic activity, we see that compared to the 1st Quarter 2008 there was an increase in employment in primary and in tertiary sector by 0.4%, and 0.7%, respectively. In contrary, during the same period, there was a decrease in employment in secondary sector by 4.9%. In tertiary sector, the branches with the largest increase were the branch of Information and communication (18.0%), and the branch of households as employers (17.3%). In secondary sector, branches with the largest decrease are the branch of Mining and quarrying (23.8%), and the branch of Electricity, gas, steam and air conditioning supply (17.1%).
The percentage of part time employment is low and amounts to 6.1% of the total employed. 45.9% of part timers choose to work part time because they cannot find a full time job, while 9.3% choose part time job, because they are looking after children or incapacitated adults.
The percentage of employees is estimated at 64.0% and is still lower than the mean percentage of employees in European Union.
Working and living in Greece attracts many foreign nationals, and it would be a good idea to find out more about employment trends and the way of life in Greece.
Source: Statistics
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