Labour market information: Greece

According to the available seasonally adjusted data, the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) in terms of volume was up by 5.2% in Q4 2022 compared to Q4 2021 and up by 1.4% compared to Q3 2022.

During Q4 2022:

• There were 4 135 231 people in employment and the number of jobseekers was 558 416.

• The unemployment rate stood at 11.9%, representing a slight increase compared to the previous quarter (Q3 2022), which was 11.6%, but a significant decrease compared to the same 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 presented 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 number of economically inactive persons (in other words people who do not work or are not seeking work) stood at 4 351 018. For citizens under 75, the number of economically inactive persons was 3 130 986. The figure increased by 2.3% over the previous quarter and decreased by 1.7% compared to the same quarter of the previous year.

The unemployment rate is highest among women, persons aged 15 to 24 years, in the Region of Thessaly and among people who have attended only a few years of elementary school. The highest employment rates are recorded in men, aged 30 to 44 years, in the Region of Attica, among people who have completed post-secondary education and among foreign nationals.

During Q4 2022, the majority of employees worked as salaried employees (69.6%) while the percentage of self-employed without staff (19.8%) was also significant.

The part-time employment rate is 8.1%, while the temporary employment rate is 6.3%. Part-time employment increased by 10.1% compared to the previous quarter and decreased by 9.2% compared to the same quarter of the previous year. Temporary employment decreased considerably (-24.7%) compared to the previous quarter, but increased (2.1%) compared to the same quarter of the previous year.

The occupations with the largest percentage of employees are professionals (22.4%) and service providers and salespersons (20.9%). Compared to the previous quarter, the largest increase was seen among professionals (2.9%), whereas the largest decrease was seen among service providers and salespersons (-8.7%). Compared with the same quarter of the previous year, the largest increase was seen among operators of industrial plant, machinery and equipment (9.5%), while a decrease was seen among service providers and salespersons (-6%) and technicians and related professionals (-4.4%).

The largest percentage of the employed (49.5%) declared that they worked for 40-47 hours a week, and a large percentage (19.2%) declared that they worked for 48 or more hours a week. Most of the employed (78.1%) declared that they worked normal working hours, while 7.1% declared that they wished to work longer hours. 1.5% declared they have a second job, while 3.1% are underemployed part-time employees who would like to work more.

The majority of people outside the labour force, aged 15 to 74, have either never worked before (46.4%) or more than 8 years have passed since they left their last job (28.6%). Among the people who worked within the last 8 years, the largest percentage stopped working because they retired (55.7%) or because their work was of limited duration and ended (21.6%). 92.1% of people outside the labour force declare they would not like to work. 1.2% declare they are looking for a job, but are not immediately available to take it up, while 4.6% declare that they are available to take up a job immediately, but are not in search.

According to the 2021 census, the population of Greece is approximately 10.5 million. It is estimated that there were over one million foreign immigrants working in Greece before the financial crisis. However, after a few years, foreign workers and their families started to leave due to the slump in the labour market and in particular in the building industry. The latest official figures show that over the five-year recession (2009-2013), 33% of jobs held by foreigners were lost. According to ELSTAT figures from 2014, there were 708 054 immigrants residing legally in Greece, 75-80% of whom are believed to be economically active.

Furthermore, during the last few years Greece has been particularly hard hit by the refugee crisis due to its geographical situation on the route most frequently used by refugees. According to European Commission estimates, a large wave of refugees entered the EU illegally, and a great many of them used Greece as a point of entry. This places a heavy burden on the Greek economy and adversely affects tourism on the Greek islands. At the height of the refugee crisis, illegal migrants also entered Greece, many of whom have moved to other EU countries. According to the Hellenic Police Force's data, there were 123 710 foreigners arrested by the police and the port authorities for illegal entry and stay in 2019 compared with 93 367 in 2018. As regards the country of origin of these illegal immigrants, the largest number were from Afghanistan (32 497), followed by those from Syria (21 395), Pakistan (10 481), Albania (10 203), Iraq (8 418) and Turkey (8 017). There are also illegal foreigners from Iran, Bangladesh, Palestine, Somalia and Algeria. The EU has helped to deal with this issue through funding both through the EU and beyond by providing humanitarian and developmental aid.

Immigration legislation, as codified by Law 4251/2014, lays down the conditions for employing foreign workers lawfully and protects their employment and insurance rights. The objective is to integrate migrants into the labour force smoothly on the basis of lawful employment and to open up positive prospects both for them and for the Greek economy, and Greek society in general.

Labour mobility in Greece is limited compared to other European countries. This is due to the exceptionally high rate of home ownership (80%) and to social and cultural factors in which immediate and wider family connections play an important role and constitute an informal but exceptionally strong network of social protection. It is also due to the fact that the unemployment rate is higher among foreigners living in Greece than among Greek nationals.

Most businesses (over 80%) are small in terms of turnover (up to EUR 150 000). The figure for the average number of jobs provided per business also points to the predominance of small businesses: over 85% of businesses have no more than five employees.

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Based on the data referred to above regarding Q4 2022, the sectors with the highest number of employees are professionals, as well as service providers and salespersons. The sectors of the economy following a positive trajectory and where the largest increase in employees is seen are in processing, transport, storage, public administration and education. A large number of jobs are available in the tourism sector.

A high percentage of unemployed persons appear to have worked in the past in businesses involved in wholesale and retail trade, repair of motor vehicles and motorcycles, processing and accommodation and food service activities.

In order to improve the employability of the locally available workforce, it is necessary to target education towards the development of green and digital skills, as well as soft skills, in general.

The Region of Eastern Macedonia and Thrace consists of five administrative regional units: Drama, Evros, Kavala, Xanthi and Rodopi. The cumulative unemployment rate in Q4 2022 stood at 5.34% compared to 5.29% in Q4 2021, marking a rise of 0.05%.

Among employed persons, the percentage of men and women in self-employment is particularly high, but women mostly play an auxiliary role, significantly contributing, though, to the overall performance of the family business. The region is essentially rural, since the agricultural output as a percentage of the total gross domestic product (GDP) is the highest in the country.

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According to registered vacancies data, employers have the following vacancies:

In the Region of Eastern Macedonia and Thrace, the highest numbers of vacancies involve seasonal jobs in the tourism sector and unskilled workers.

They are followed by jobs in top management and administrative officers and salespersons.

Moreover, specialised craftsmen and technicians and clerical officers are in demand.

The total registered unemployed persons amounted to 1 084 440 people in December 2022. 57 837 (5.33%) people are recorded in the Region of Eastern Macedonia and Thrace. The total number of subsidized unemployed persons in December 2022 was 254 093. Among them, 112 614 (44.32%) are generally subsidised persons, 1 603 (0.63%) are subsidised in construction and technical occupations, 118 977 (46.82%) are subsidised unemployed persons in seasonal tourist professions, 19 067 (7.50%) are seasonal other subsidised persons (farmers), 1 756 (0.69%) are subsidised teachers and 76 (0.03%) are other subsidised persons.

The Region of Central Macedonia consists of the Regional Units of Imathia, Thessaloniki, Kilkis, Pella, Pieria, Serres and Chalkidiki. According to the figures, in Q4 2020 the Region of Central Macedonia accounted for 18.97% of the total number of unemployed in Greece, mainly concentrated in the Regional Unit of Thessaloniki with a share of 63.75% (percentage of the resident population registered as unemployed). In Q4 2022, unemployment in the region stood at 14.9%, which is slightly higher than in the same quarter of the previous year (14.7%).

The Regional Unit of Chalkidiki has a developed hotels and restaurants sector and the Regional Units of Kilkis and Thessaloniki have relatively large processing sectors (larger than the national average). The Regional Unit of Serres has a long-standing, strong presence in the processing of industrial products, and both Serres and the Regional Unit of Pella have comparatively large agriculture sectors.

Most of the enterprises are in the Regional Unit of Thessaloniki. Commercial enterprises make up the largest percentage, followed by processing industries.

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According to registered vacancies data, employers in Central Macedonia offer the following vacancies: In the Regional Unit of Thessaloniki the highest numbers of vacancies are for office workers, personal service workers, salespersons and related workers, labourers in mining, construction, manufacturing and transport, sales specialists, stockbrokers, real estate agents, persons employed in the service of businesses in general, drivers and mobile plant operators, teachers, travelling salespersons, domestic workers, customer service agents and related workers, etc.

In the Regional Unit of Chalkidiki, vacancies are mainly for office workers, personal service workers, salespersons and related workers, labourers in mining, construction, manufacturing and transport, drivers and mobile plant operators, technologists and technical assistants in the biology and health sciences, customer service agents and related workers, etc. In the summer months there is high demand for professions relating to tourism and catering.

In the Regional Unit of Kilkis, there are vacancies for labourers in mining, construction, manufacturing and transport, personal service workers, travelling salespersons, drivers and mobile plant operators, office workers, etc.

In the Regional Unit of Pella, there are vacancies for office workers, personal service workers, salespersons and related occupations, labourers in mining, construction, manufacturing and transport, technologists and technical assistants in biology and health sciences, etc.

In the Regional Unit of Imathia, the highest numbers of vacancies are for labourers in mining, construction, manufacturing and transport, personal service workers, salespersons and related workers, office workers, etc.

In the Regional Unit of Pieria, the highest numbers of vacancies are for office workers, personal service workers, salespersons and related workers, travelling salespersons, household staff, transport drivers and mobile equipment operators, etc.

Lastly, in the Regional Unit of Serres, the highest number of vacancies are for office workers, personal service workers, technologists and technical assistants in biology and health sciences, salespersons and related workers, drivers and mobile plant operators, etc.

The nature of unemployment in the Central Macedonia is described below for each regional unit.

In the Regional Unit of Thessaloniki unemployment is highest among unskilled workers, manual workers and elementary occupations, followed by service workers, sales staff for shops and outside market stalls, builders and construction workers, office workers, domestic workers and cleaners, cleaners of offices, hotels and other premises, and personal service workers (hotel maids, hairdressers, beauticians, cooks, waiters, housekeepers, etc.).

In the Regional Unit of Chalkidiki there are many building and construction workers available, while there are more people employed in providing personal services (hairdressers, cooks, waiters, etc.). There are also a large number of cleaners of offices, hotels and other premises, maids in hotels and homes, office workers and dish cleaners.

In the Regional Unit of Kilkis, there are more unskilled labourers from processing industries, other office workers, builders and builders and shop assistants.

In the Regional Unit of Pella most of the available workers are fruit and vegetable canners and unskilled labourers in processing industries. This is followed by other office workers, shop assistants, waiters and builders/construction workers.

In the Regional Unit of Imathia, most available workers are unskilled labourers in processing industries, cleaners of offices, hotels and other premises, followed by other office workers, shop assistants and packers of raisins, figs and fruit.

In the Regional Unit of Pieria the majority of available workers are unskilled and manual workers and small-scale operators, unskilled workers in processing plants, other office workers, waiters and assistant waiters, as well as cleaners of offices, hotels and other premises.

Finally, in the Regional Unit of Serres, most of the unemployed are office workers, shop assistants, cardholders, unskilled labourers, manual workers and small-scale operators, unskilled labourers in processing industries, general duties staff, shop assistants, builders and construction workers, and cooks.

The Region of Western Macedonia consists of the Regional Units of Grevena, Kastoria, Kozani and Florina.

In Q4 2022, the Region of Western Macedonia recorded the second highest unemployment rate in Greece, namely 15.2%, which was though lower than the rate recorded in the corresponding quarter of 2010, namely 17.2%.

It also accounts for 2.81% of all registered unemployed in Greece, and has the third highest long-term unemployment rate in Greece (57.25%).

It is a participant in the industrial generation of energy and in the agricultural output.

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According to registered vacancies data, employers in Western Macedonia have the following vacancies:

In the Regional Unit of Grevena, most vacancies are for office workers, personal services (cooks, waiters, hotel staff, etc.), livestock farmers, market gardeners and nursery growers and forest workers.

In the Regional Unit of Kastoria there are vacancies for shop assistants, office workers, personal services workers (cooks, waiters, hotel workers, etc.) as well as market gardeners and nursery growers.

In the Regional Unit of Kozani the highest numbers of vacancies are for shop assistants, drivers and mobile plant operators. followed by vacancies for unskilled manufacturing workers, building erection and repair technicians and other construction work technicians, and protection service workers. In recent years there has been major development in agricultural production, particularly as regards organic products and super-foods.

Finally, in the regional Unit of Florina, most vacancies are for office workers, waiters, shop assistants, cleaners for offices and other spaces, market gardeners and nursery growers as well as forest workers.

In the Region of Western Macedonia the highest rate of registered unemployment is among unskilled workers, manual workers and small-scale operators, followed by office workers, salespersons and qualified technicians. More specifically:

In the Regional Unit of Grevena unemployment is highest among female office workers and unskilled workers of both sexes in building, construction, manufacturing, etc. The next highest rates are among male building erection and repair technicians, other construction work technicians and female staff for shops or outdoor locations, with a slightly lower rate of unemployment among personal service workers (hairdressers, cooks, waiters, housekeepers, etc.) and people with other specialisations.

In the Regional Unit of Kastoria there is surplus availability of textile and garment technicians, shoe-makers and sewing machinists in general, and more specifically in the declining fur sector. The next highest unemployment rates are to be found among office workers, salespersons and unskilled workers of both sexes in building, construction, manufacturing, etc.

In the Regional Unit of Kozani unemployment is highest among unskilled workers in manufacturing, office workers, drivers, building erection and repair technicians and other construction work technicians and shop assistants or outdoor locations.

In the Regional Unit of Florina unemployment is highest among building erection and repair technicians and other construction work technicians and unskilled workers in processing plants, followed by office workers, salespersons and drivers.

The Region of Epirus lies in the northwest of Greece and is an entry/exit gateway to the Balkans and Western Europe. It consists of four regional units: Arta, Thesprotia, Ioannina and Preveza with a total surface area of 9 203 km2 (6.9% of the total area of Greece), and 74.2% of its total area is mountainous. According to the 2021 census of the Hellenic Statistical Authority, the population stands at 319 991 inhabitants. Overall, the Region of Epirus has a particularly high unemployment rate, reaching 12.6% in Q4 2022, significantly higher than in the same quarter of the previous year (10%).

Epirus is one of the less developed regions of Greece and has one of the lowest figures for per capita gross national product. During Q4 2022, the majority of employees worked as salaried employees (69.6%) while the percentage of self-employed without staff (19.8%) was also significant. The part-time employment rate is 8.1%, while the temporary employment rate is 6.3%. The occupations with the largest percentage of employees are professionals (22.4%) and service providers and salespersons (20.9%).

There are high rates of self-employment, and the levels of temporary employment, part-time employment and job rotation have risen.

There are also fluctuations in the proportion of those working in the sector including trade, transport and communications, hotels and catering. There is a decrease in the proportion of those working in the construction sector, while stabilising trends can be observed in the industrial-energy and financial and business sectors.

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According to the data entered into the mechanism for examining labour market requirements for 2020, new job vacancies for the Region of Epirus for 2019 in total were 4 333, a rise of 12.4% compared to 2018 (3 856).

The majority of new jobs relate to persons employed in the provision of personal services, sales executives, followed by transport drivers, salespersons, unskilled agricultural workers, office workers and persons engaged in scientific, artistic and related occupations.

Specifically, according to registered vacancies data, employers in Epirus have the following vacancies broken down by regional unit:

In the Regional Unit of Arta, the highest numbers of vacancies are for personal service workers (waiters, buffet workers, etc.), sales executives, unskilled labourers and salespersons and related workers.

In the Regional Unit of Thesprotia there are vacancies for personal service workers (particularly buffet workers, bar staff and waiters), office workers, teachers, food processors.

In the Regional Unit of Ioannina the highest numbers of vacancies are for service providers (waiters, buffet workers, cashiers etc.), followed by salespersons and office workers.

Lastly, the Regional Unit Preveza the highest numbers of vacancies are for personal service workers, teachers, persons specialised in sales, customer service agents and assistant accountants. There are also some vacancies for mathematics / physics teachers, electricians and welders.

In the Region of Epirus, in Q4 2021, according to the employment statement of the Hellenic Statistical Authority, there were 115 400 people in employment (aged 15 or more who worked even for an hour to be paid remuneration or to make profit or as paid assistants in the family business) and the number of jobseekers was 12 800 (people aged 15 to 74 who were not employed and were directly available for work). The number of people who were defined as inactive comes to 160 700 (i.e. neither employed nor unemployed).

The main conclusion from the forecasts of the National Institute of Labour & Human Resources, both for the entire Greek territory and for the Region of Epirus, is that the upward employment trends recorded since 2014 will continue. In the average scenario, new job opportunities are expected to rise considerably by 2022.

Employment is expected to increase in most occupations. More specifically, most vacancies will arise for salespersons and service provision workers. There will also be a considerable increase in vacancies for high-skilled occupations, such as business and health professionals.

On the contrary, there will be a major decrease in vacancies for skilled farmers and breeders, as well as for production and specialised services managers, hotel and restaurant managers, retail and wholesale trade managers and other services managers. There seems to be a relatively small decrease in the vacancies for general duty employees.

More specifically, in the Regional Unit of Arta there are more people employed as drivers and mobile plant operators, street vendors, domestic workers and sales executives, followed by brokers and real estate agents.

In the Regional Unit of Thesprotia unemployment is highest among transport drivers and mobile plant operators, followed by unskilled workers, fishermen and clerical officers. These are, finally, followed by food processing technicians.

In the Regional Unit of Ioannina there is an excess of workers available as drivers of means of transport and mobile plant operators, unskilled workers and fishermen. This is followed by salespersons in general, mathematics/physics teachers, as well as teachers who work each year as stand-ins.

In the Regional Unit of Preveza unemployment is highest among former personal service workers (hairdressers, cooks, waiters, housekeepers, etc.), skilled farmers, teachers and entrepreneurs.

The Region of Thessaly is Greece’s third most populous region. It consists of the Regional Units of Karditsa, Larissa, Magnisia, Trikala and Sporades.

The registered unemployment rate in Q4 2022 stands at 16.2%.

According to forecasts of pre-pandemic labour market trends, the most dynamic professions are those employed in providing personal care in the healthcare sector, market gardeners, wholesale and retail trade managers, doctors, primary school teachers and nursery school teachers.

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According to data about registered vacancies in the Region of Thessaly, there was no change per Regional Unit since in all Units businesses are primarily seeking salespersons, office workers, secretarial support staff, assistant accountants and service providers, e.g. waiters.

In the Region of Thessaly there is also a uniform picture in relation to the unemployed, without any differentiations per Regional Unit. These are mainly unskilled workers, manual workers and small-scale operators, service workers and salespersons, clerical officers and skilled craftsmen and related technicians.

The Ionian Islands region is divided into the districts of Corfu, Kefallinia, Lefkada and Zakynthos and its headquarters are located in Corfu.

The Ionian Islands are along the west Continental coast of Greece, with their permanent population amounting, according to ELSTAT data, from the latest census in Greece in 2021 to 204 532 inhabitants, down from 207 855 in the 2011 census, marking a decrease of the population by 1.6%.

A sharp rise in unemployment has been recorded in the region during the years of the crisis. Employment between 2008 and 2015 decreased by 20%, with the unemployment rate rising from 8.9% (Q2) in 2008 to 19.8% in 2015 (Q2). According to the latest DYPA statistics, compared to registered unemployment in April 2023, there were 20 340 registered unemployed [jobseekers] in the Ionian Islands Region, i.e. a percentage distribution of 2.2.

However, compared to the other regions, currently it is the second lowest unemployment rate in Greece. Of course, the seasonality of unemployment needs to be noted, as a large part of the population is employed in tourism-related jobs and services, resulting in the unemployment recorded from spring up to the autumn to be significantly reduced again in the remaining months.

Tourism holds a dominant position in the production of local income – 50% of the GDP of the Ionian Islands is contributed by tourism.

The principal economic activities linked to tourism are the accommodation and food service activities. The tourism sector also generates particular potential for other sectors such as retail trade, transport and storage, cultural/creative economy and entertainment. Finally, health services are an emerging sector of the regional economy with significant expected development benefits.

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Naturally, given the very high level of tourism development in the region, there are many vacancies for personal service workers (cooks, waiters, bartenders, housekeepers, hairdressers, beauticians, etc.), staff for shops or outdoor locations, specialised sales agents, estate agents, and office workers. There is demand also for drivers, mobile plant operators, domestic workers and cleaners, unskilled workers in construction, processing and transport, caretakers, porters and guards, and, to a lesser extent, for food and drinks processing technicians.

The nature of unemployment in the Ionian Islands is as follows.

The majority of available workers are personal service workers (hairdressers, cooks, waiters, housekeepers, etc.), followed by sales staff for shops or outdoor locations, office workers, salespersons, domestic workers and cleaners, caretakers, porters and guards, with a smaller number of unskilled workers in building, construction, manufacturing, etc., drivers and mobile plant operators and customer services employees (cashiers, receptionists and telephonists).

The Region of Continental Greece is the second largest administrative region of Central Greece. According to the last census in 2021, it has 553 235 inhabitants. The region is divided into five regional units: Viotia, Evia, Evrytania, Fthiotida and Fokida. The region’s capital is Lamia, a dynamic and burgeoning urban centre with a population of some 100 000, which makes it Greece’s 19th largest city.  The other main urban centres in the region are Chalkida, Thiva, Livadia, Amfissa and Karpenisi.

According to the 2022 OAED statistics, the Region had 43 667 unemployed people using December 2022 as a benchmark. At the same time, most of the new jobs created in this region relate to unskilled workers in mining, construction, processing and transport and were close to 963.

According to the Mechanism for Examining Labour Market Requirements, in terms of employees per occupational category, top position is held by market-oriented salespersons (25 811) and then by personal service workers (14 875). The sector with the highest employment is agriculture, forestry and fisheries. This is followed by the wholesale and retail trade sector, repair of motor vehicles and motorcycles while processing is in third place.

A substantial number of workers commute to the region every day, mostly from the neighbouring Attica region.

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According to the mechanism for examining labour market requirements, the new jobs created over the last years mainly relate to supply of personal services, labourers in mining, construction, manufacturing and transport, and office staff. There are lower numbers in general or auxiliary teaching staff and lawyers. A major drop was reported among employees providing protection services.

According to registered vacancies data, employers in Continental Greece have the following vacancies: unskilled workers in construction and office workers, To a lesser extent artistic and related occupations are being requested.

According to DYPA data in the Region of Central Greece, unemployment in Q1 2022 is as follows:

The highest numbers are recorded for unskilled workers, manual workers and small-scale operators, namely 12 956, followed by those employed in the provision of services and salespersons, namely 9 590, as well as clerical officers and related professionals, namely 7 841. There are a small number of technologists, technical assistants and related professionals (1 845), skilled farmers, livestock farmers, foresters and fishermen (737), operators of stationary industrial installations, machinery and equipment and assemblers (fitters) (1 773).

The Region of Attica, with Athens as its main city, comprises eight regional units: Central, Southern, Northern and Western Athens, Eastern and Western Attica, Piraeus and Islands. It is the most populous region of the country, containing about one third of Greece’s total population (around 36%). The region ranks first in terms of both working-age population, numbers of unemployed people (recorded according to the DYPA statistics on registered unemployment in April 2023 at 33.3% of the total country) and job vacancies.

The unemployment rate in Q3 2022 was at the level of 9.9% compared to 13.2% in December 2021.

The highest unemployment rates are recorded in women aged 15 to 19 years, at the level of 40.2%, while the highest employment rates are recorded in men aged 30-44 at the level of 87.5%, and among people who have completed secondary education.

The highest number of enterprises is concentrated in the IT sector, with emphasis on web design, management and promotion of social media and digital marketing, as well as retail, mainly in the food, bakery and clothing sector. Moreover, the accounting, supply chain, vehicle repair and processing sectors are, according to OAED data, particularly important in the Attica Region.

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Based on data on registered vacancies in Attica (DYPA data) most vacancies requested are for office workers and secretarial support staff. This is followed by shop assistants, IT workers and related workers and assistant accountants. In addition, there are posts available for skilled technicians and related technical workers (such as iron smiths, carpenters) and unskilled labourers, cleaners and general duty employees. Lastly, there is an upward rise in the number of vacancies in the digital marketing and social media sectors.

Registered unemployment in Attica was higher among office works and shop assistants. This was followed by unskilled workers and cleaners, general duty employees, drivers, warehousemen and assistant accountants. Lastly, a large number of jobs on offer are for experts in the catering sector and in particular waiters, dish cleaners and dinner ladies, as well as household cleaners and assistants.

The region of Western Greece consists of the Regional Units of Aitoloakarnania, Achaia and Ilia and its population, according to the 2021 census, is 648 220 inhabitants, 325 314 men and 322 906 women.

In March 2023, the unemployment rate accounted for 7.48% of the total number of unemployed in Greece. Indeed, 36.48% concerned unemployed persons working seasonally in tourist occupations.

In terms of education, most of those affected by unemployment are those with secondary education and after that those who have completed compulsory education.

The workforce of the region makes up 52% of the population, 25% of whom are unemployed or employees in precarious jobs. A third of the people in work are self-employed and part-time employment prevails. Undeclared work is rife in this region.

The majority of businesses in the region operate in the sectors of trade, agriculture, tourist accommodation, catering, provision of services and processing.

The most important professions are: Farming and livestock, salespersons, bar staff and waiters. The construction industry is facing a slump.

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According to registered vacancies data, the following vacancies are available in Western Greece:

In the Regional Unit of Aitoloakarnania the highest numbers of vacancies are for retail trade salespersons and door-to-door salespersons, office workers and accounting department employees, as well as provision of services employees mainly active seasonally in the tourism industry (e.g. waiters, cooks, etc.). At the same time, there are vacancies for specialised technicians, mostly in the mechanical engineering sector as well as drivers. Also, the Prefecture is supported by agriculture, livestock farming and fishing.

In the Regional Unit of Achaia there are vacancies for office workers and shop assistants, followed by personal service workers (hairdressers, cooks, waiters, manicure-pedicure employees, etc.). There are also vacancies for mechanics, car mechanics, IT experts, graphic designers as well as specialists in marketing and e-commerce Jobs are also available for various provision of services specialities, specialised technicians, stevedores and workers in shipping companies.

In the Regional Unit of Ilia the highest numbers of vacancies are for staff for shops or outdoor locations, personal service workers (hairdressers, cooks, waiters, housekeepers, etc.), office workers, drivers, mobile plant operators, as well as workers in the hotel and catering sector.

However, there is demand for agricultural workers since a large part of Ilia's economy is based on agricultural production. There are also packing plants for agricultural goods and processing units in operation.

Developing sectors in the general region include child-care services (with a similar demand for nursery nurses, teachers, psychologists and special education experts), renewable energy sources (with a demand for specialised technicians and engineers), as well as sports facilities (but with a smaller number of vacancies for instructors and trainers).

At regional level over the last year there has been an increase in the number of jobs offered for:

• nursing and paramedical staff (due to the public health crisis)
• the building works sector (with technical specialisations, engineers and mechanics) due to energy improvements being done to homes and buildings
• e-commerce with jobs in the IT sector (programmers, website designers, graphic designers, website and social media administrators)
• the transport sector with jobs for distributors and drivers of small and heavy trucks
• accounting businesses with jobs for assistant accountants and computer operators.

The nature of unemployment in the Region of Western Greece is as follows:

Most of the unemployed are unskilled workers or those remaining without work for a long period. These seek work as secretaries, salespersons, cleaners and labourers. Among specialised staff seeking work, most are beauticians, assistant accountants, child-care workers, Greek teachers and economists.

At the same time, various specialties linked to the construction sector are seeking employment following the slump in the sector since 2010. The last two years have seen a relative rise in the sector.

In particular, in Western Greece unskilled workers make up the largest proportion of registered unemployed, while unemployed persons with a specialisation in the provision of services vary numerically depending on the time of year due to the large number of tourism enterprises. A significant proportion of unemployed (20%) are looking for a job as clerical officers and in scientific sectors (12%).

The city of Patras offers the highest number of jobs, being the largest Municipality of the Region, followed by Agrinio which presents a relative increase in the number of vacancies. Also Nafpaktos and the coastal towns of Ilia have vacancies in tourism.

Many vacancies require experience in digital skills.

The Peloponnese Region consists of the Regional Units of Argolida, Arkadia, Korinthia, Lakonia and Messinia.

The unemployment rate in the Peloponnese Region was the lowest in the country in Q4 2022 (at 9.12%)

The region has the highest percentage of self-employment and the smallest share of people in full-time, open-ended employment. The number of self-employed women and the number of women assistants in the family business, when added together, produce a total which greatly exceeds the number of women engaged in full-time, open-ended work.

Most businesses are involved in trade, followed by the processing industries, hotels, restaurants, construction, transport, storage and communications. Most people in employment work in those sectors. The rural economy also offers a significant number of seasonal jobs.

Indicatively, among the businesses in each Prefecture which make a positive contribution to their economies are:

• Motor Oil Refineries SA in Korinthia Prefecture

• Westin Resort Costa Navarino, hotel complex in Messinia
• Agroinvest, a company engaged in biofuels and food in Argolida Prefecture.
• Oinountas SA, standardised olive processing plant in Lakonia Prefecture and
• Eurocatering SA, standardised agricultural products plant in Arkadia Prefecture.

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According to the latest data (salaried work in private companies 2021-2022) on recorded vacancies in the Region of the Peloponnese, the largest percentage of employees work in food service and the provision of beverages, followed by the industries of manufacturing products, education and creative employment, activities related to human health, scientific and technical activities (accountants, economists, civil engineers and service technicians), land transport, entertainment activities and bakery. Also important are mining and building site activities, with vacancies mostly for drivers and equipment operators. Furthermore, a large number of employees work in sales of fuel and secondly in food shops and in the retail trade, in general.

In the Regional Unit of Argolida the highest numbers of vacancies are for clerical officers, sales staff for shops or outdoor locations and employees of tourism and catering businesses. The next highest numbers of vacancies are for personal service workers (hairdressers, housekeepers, beauticians, etc.), and for drivers and mobile plant operators. There are also vacancies seasonally in the speciality of agricultural workers.

In the Regional Unit of Arkadia, teachers make up the largest number of salaried employees. There are vacancies for personal service workers (hairdressers, cooks, waiters, housekeepers, etc.), staff for shops or outdoor locations and office workers. There are also, to a lesser extent, vacancies for unskilled building workers, unskilled workers in construction, industry, etc., salespersons, domestic helpers and cleaners, caretakers, porters and guards. Winter and religious tourism is booming in the area, so the hotel and catering industry offers jobs during the winter months.

In the Regional Unit of Korinthia, the most dynamic sector is that of hotel and food service, followed by food service activities, hospital activities, as well as the industry sector. Most vacancies concern drivers and mobile plant operators, office staff, engineering activities and computer repairs.

In the Regional Unit of Lakonia the commercial sector absorbs most jobs. Food service and entertainment also cover a large number of vacancies. In addition, there is a relatively large number of jobs in hairdressing and beauty centres.

In the Regional Unit of Messinia, most vacancies are available in the sector of food service and tourism, outdoors markets and hairdressers. There are smaller numbers of vacancies for staff for shops or outdoor locations and unskilled workers in building, construction, industries, packaging of agricultural products etc.

According to the Public Employment Service data, as recorded in the Mechanism for Diagnosing Labour Market Needs, the Regional Units of the Peloponnese with the highest rate of unemployment are Messinia and Korinthia. In third place is Arkadia followed by Argolida and Lakonia which has the lowest recorded unemployment.

The occupations with the highest unemployment rate over the whole Region are unskilled labourers, manual workers and small-scale operators, salespersons and office staff.

According to the Public Employment Service data of May 2021, most unemployed persons in the Region of Peloponnese have completed secondary education and are between the ages of 26 and 45. More specifically, according to category, unemployment appears thus:

In the Regional Unit of Argolida unemployment is highest among office workers and unskilled workers in building, construction, manufacturing industries, as well as among general-duty employees. Following these are waiters, hotel maids, cooks, dish cleaners and product packers.

In the Regional Unit of Arkadia, unemployment is highest among office workers, unskilled workers in industry, manual workers and small-scale operators, as well as unskilled quarry and building workers and cleaners. The next highest figures are for salespersons, domestic workers and cleaners, caretakers, porters and guards, and for building erection and repair technicians and other construction work technicians.

In the Regional Unit of Korinthia unemployment is highest among unskilled workers in building, manufacturing and office staff, followed by staff for shops or outdoors locations, cleaners and waiters in general.

In the Regional Unit of Lakonia, unemployment is highest among unskilled workers in building, construction and manufacturing industries, followed by office staff, hotel maids, waiters, dish cleaners and cooks.

Finally, in the Regional Unit of Messinia, most of the unemployed are office staff and staff for shops or outdoors locations, as well as general-duty employees, unskilled building workers, unskilled agricultural and livestock workers, small-scale operators, cleaners and dish cleaners.

In the Peloponnese Region there are seasonal vacancies due to agricultural production for unskilled workers and agricultural workers, as well as in all specialties of tourism and catering due to tourist development.

The North Aegean Region consists of five administrative units (Ikaria, Lesvos, Limnos, Samos and Chios) to which the nine municipalities belong.

According to the Report of Results for 2018 of EIEAD [National Institute of Labour & Human Resources] (mechanism for examining labour market requirements), those registered as unemployed came to 15 587, representing 1.46% of the total number of unemployed in the country. Specifically, 89.77% of these are actively seeking work, while 65.41% are women. Most are of a secondary and primary education level, while the main age groups are 35-49 (38.84%) and 50-64 (23.49%). The time of remaining unemployed exceeds one year for 39.6% of unemployed persons, while 60.4% are unemployed for up to one year. As regards the long-term unemployed in the Northern Aegean, we see that 39.53% belong to the 35-49 age group, 70.97% of whom are women of mostly secondary education level. On the other hand, we see that among those up to 24 years of age (i.e. unemployment among the young), 78.01% remain unemployed for less than a year and almost all (91.99%) actively seek work.

Finally, an examination of unemployment density shows a high rate in the Regional Unit of Ikaria of 25.76, while the Regional Unit of Samos has 25.45.

The highest unemployment burden is recorded in the Regional Unit of Ikaria, with a ratio of 8.34, followed by Samos with 8.11, Chios with 6.13, Lesvos with 6.06 and Limnos with 4.92. The highest unemployment rate (40.88%) is recorded in the Regional Unit of Lesvos, followed by Chios with 25.19%, Samos with 20.87%, Limnos with 6.63% and Ikaria with 6.43%.

From the aggregated data regarding Q4 (2022), the employment rate in the North Aegean Region stands at 73.0% (from 71% in Q4 2021). Accordingly, the unemployment rate stands at 11.2%, down from 16.4% in Q4 2021.

In more detail, out of a total of 193 913 inhabitants making up the permanent population of the North Aegean Region, there are 14 360 registered unemployed persons. According to the Public Employment Service data, it appears that in the month of April 2023 in the Northern Aegean Region the registered unemployed stand at 14 903, of whom the long-term ones stand at 7 210. The generally subsidised persons and those who fall into the other subsidised categories reach 571, while the seasonal tourist professions number 237. Again drawing data from the Integrated Information System of the Public Employment Service for the month of April 2023, we would add that the number of jobseekers is 14 854, which is 1.6% for the North Aegean Region, while the number of non-jobseekers is 49 (unemployed).

According to the Hellenic Statistical Authority’s report on the Greek workforce with reference to Q4 2022, the share of the workforce of the North Aegean Region in the total population from 50.4% in Q1 2022 increased to 52.5% in Q2 2022, reaching 51.2% in Q3 2022 and falling to 49.7% in Q4 2022.

It is also useful to note that, according to a 2020 study by the National Institute of Labour and Human Resources entitled ‘The labour market in the era of the Covid-19 pandemic’, the percentage of workers employed in sectors facing a high risk from the pandemic crisis stands at 32.08% in the North Aegean Region.

The conclusion of a more recent study, entitled ‘Mapping of salaried work in Greece 2010-2022 (June) and its geographical distribution’ (Kritikidis Giorgos, September 2022), is that although salaried employees have increased (since 2013) in the North Aegean Region, there does not seem to be a de-escalation. By contrast, there has been an increase in the number of unemployed jobseekers.

Lastly, employment in the Northern Aegean Region is characterised by the high seasonality of economic activities, a shift towards the tertiary sector (mostly, tourism), and a low level of entrepreneurship, while the impact of the influx of refugees on employment is still to be explored. Tourism is the most significant activity in the Regional Unit of Samos, while agricultural production prevails in the Regional Unit of Lesvos and fisheries in the Regional Unit of Chios.

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Based on the new jobs created in each regional unit, it is pointed out that there is an overall reduction in the relative balance for the North Aegean Region for the year 2019 compared to 2018.

Specifically, in the Region of Lesvos and Limnos the total number of job vacancies remained stable at 500 for both 2018 and 2019. In the Region of Samos an increase in vacancies was observed from 95 in 2018 to 137 in 2019. In the Region of Chios there was an increase in vacancies from 175 in 2018 to 188 in 2019. According to the data from OAED’s IIS system, the Region of Ikaria was the only one to register a decrease in vacancies from 44 in 2018 to 23 in 2019. An examination of vacancies in the Region of North Aegean's Municipalities shows that the Municipality of Lesvos has the most new vacancies, showing an increase from 2014 to 2015, a decrease in 2016 and an increase in 2017. Specifically, in 2014 the municipality showing the most new job vacancies after Lesvos was Samos, Chios between 2015-2016 and Samos in 2017. Focusing on employment flows between 2014-2017, the Municipality of Samos recorded a more positive change in new vacancies, followed by Lesvos and Limnos. During the same period, employment flows in the Municipalities of Agios Efstratios and Fournoi-Korseon became more negative.

According to the new jobs per sector in the North Aegean Region, most new jobs were recorded in food service activities in the period from 2014 to 2017, which increased from 2014 to 2015 and decreased in 2016 and 2017. Human health activities ranked second in 2017, but the new jobs in this sector were very few from 2014 to 2016. Social work activities without accommodation ranked second in 2016, even with very few new jobs, and then decreased sharply in 2017. The retail sector (except for the trade of motor vehicles and motorcycles) has seen a continuous decline, ranking fourth for 2017. Lastly, the sector of public administration and defence, compulsory social security recorded the worse employment figures in 2014, which gradually improved in 2017. As regards business activity, according to the General Electronic Commercial Registry (GEMI) for March 2017, registrations for new businesses dropped from 2014 to 2015, while in 2015 there was a significant increase. Looking at the Prefectures of the Region, for 2015, Samos Prefecture registered a drop in registrations in all sectors, which was followed in 2016 by a significant increase. The same trend in registrations was followed by the Municipality of Lesvos. Lastly, the Municipality of Chios had the most registrations for 2015.

According to (older) data from Statistics for Business (2015), employment in the North Aegean Region is concentrated in the sectors of crop and animal production, hunting and related service activities (with 12 991 people employed), food and beverage service activities (with 6 637 people employed), retail (with 6 435 people employed) and wholesale (with 2 166 people employed), and accommodation (with 2 734 people employed). There are 2 251 people employed in the public administration and defence, compulsory social security sector, 1 717 people employed in education, 1 678 people employed in human health activities and 1 030 people employed in legal and accounting activities.

On an occupation-by-occupation basis, the occupations with the most employees over 2016-2017 are those engaged in market gardening and plantations. That said, there were very few employed in this occupation in 2011 (13 551), thus ranking it in third place. However, the upward trend that followed gave it a great boost, and in 2017 it had 7 698 employees.

The second most important occupation is that of shopkeeper and shops salespersons. Between 2011-2014 they ranked first, with 8 740 being occupied in the sector, though this number tapers off after 2012. In third place are those who do not fall into a precise category. The numbers of these employees followed a downward trend between 2011 and 2017, dropping from 8 025 to 4 268, respectively, with the exception of some periods of recovery from 2014 to 2016.

Looking at those occupied in terms of economic activity per sector, the provision of services sector remained consistently in first place, with 6 843 employees in 2017 (from 7 645 in 2016). It would appear that 6 676 were occupied in growing perennial crops in 2017 (from 5 000 in 2016), while retail trade in food, drinks and tobacco in specialised shops absorbed 4 730 employees in 2017 (compared with 4 475 in 2016). In public administration, financial and social policy 3 024 were employed in 2017 (compared with 3 390 in 2016). Hotels and similar accommodation accounted for 2 851 employees in 2017 (compared with 2 389 in 2016), while restaurant and mobile food service provided work for 2 368 people in 2017 (from 1 619 in 2016).

According to the Statistics for Business (2018) in the North Aegean Region there were a total of 58 843 employed persons: 12 014 employees in enterprises with economic activity related to agriculture, forestry and fisheries, 11 857 in accommodation and catering enterprises, 5 319 in education and 3,799, in activities related to human health.

According to data as of December 2017, based on anticipated occupation, unemployment stood at 11.38% for other office employees (and 2.93% for office staff), while the unemployment rate for those seeking jobs as salespersons stood at 9.08%. The corresponding rate for elementary occupations was 5.55%. The unemployment rate for those seeking general duty jobs came to 4.38%. In the provision of services sector, the unemployment rate for cleaners of offices, hotels and other premises stands at 3.94%, while for dish cleaners it is 3.26%.

Most unemployed fall within the professional category of unskilled and manual workers and small-scale operators (3 455), followed by service workers and shop assistants and outdoor locations (3 058), office workers and related occupations (2 724), persons in scientific, artistic and related professions (1 171), qualified technicians and related technical occupations (891), technologists and technical assistants and related occupations (807) and operators of stationary industrial installations, machinery and equipment, and assemblers (362).

In terms of the educational level of the registered unemployed, most of them are people with secondary education, followed by people with primary and tertiary education, while, in terms of gender, unemployment rates are higher for women than for men.

The South Aegean Region consists of the Regional Units of the Cyclades and the Dodecanese. In this region the tourism industry is the basic source of income, employment and development.

Unemployment in the South Aegean Region stood at 7.50% in Q4 2022, i.e. a considerable decrease compared to the same quarter in 2021 (15.90%).

This is the most developed tourist Region in Greece and therefore it derives a large income from the service sector. Clearly because of the seasonal nature of the tourist sector, the winter months bring increased unemployment. Obviously tourism, because of its seasonal nature, brings with it higher unemployment in the winter months and results in a high proportion of temporary employment, which is twice the national average in the South Aegean. Temporary employment is particularly prevalent among the female working population.

Accommodation provision (hotels and rental accommodation), food services (restaurants and cafeterias), trade (retail and wholesale), as well as transport, are the most dynamic sectors of activity. A substantial number of real estate transactions involve citizens from various countries of the European Union. The construction industry has been in decline in recent years but is picking up steadily.

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According to registered vacancies data for the South Aegean, the following vacancies are available:

In the Regional Unit of Cyclades, the highest numbers of vacancies are for office workers and personal service workers (hairdressers, cooks, waiters, etc.), followed to a lesser extent by cleaners, caretakers, porters and guards.

In the Regional Unit of Dodecanese there are vacancies for personal service workers (waiters, cooks, receptionists, housekeepers, etc.), shop assistants or outdoor locations, drivers and office workers, and to a lesser extent for unskilled building workers, unskilled workers in construction and industry, etc., domestic workers and cleaners, caretakers, porters and guards, and for building erection and repair technicians and other construction work technicians.

According to registered vacancies data for the South Aegean, unemployment is as follows:

In both the Cyclades and Dodecanese regional units, unemployment is highest among economists, workers employed in agriculture, senior officials and managers and teachers.

The Region of Crete consists of the Regional Units of Heraklion, Lasithi, Rethymnon and Chania.

In Q4 2022 the rate of unemployment in the Region appears reduced, having reached 11.1%. According to DYPA data, the total number of registered unemployed in the Region of Crete in April 2023 is 5.4%, which indicates the highly seasonal nature of the phenomenon. The labour market situation in Crete appears to have been seriously disrupted, as dominant sectors such as catering and tourism have been affected. These sectors have lost a large part of the labour force which shows no desire to return. As a result, there is a new employment situation characterised by an enormous difficulty in filling vacancies in the tourism sector.

Because of the high level of tourism activity, which is the economic driving force of the island, there is a large proportion of seasonal workers and self-employed people in Crete. The tourism industry boasts many high-quality tourist enterprises and hotels and restaurants of equally high standards. There are also small and medium-sized enterprises in retail trade which employ a significant number of workers. Consequently, there is a very high level of employment in the personal services sector.

Crete also has well-developed modern agriculture, with greenhouses with significant production capacity and potential for further development through standardisation, the promotion of new organic products and the recognition of the value of Cretan or Mediterranean food and diet. Standardisation of livestock products is also being developed.

The job market in Crete is particularly seasonal in nature, as can be seen from the fluctuations in salaried employment in private entities according to occupation up to 2020, where most recruitments and dismissals are made in April and October respectively, coinciding with the time most tourist units and businesses cater for tourism on the island. Regarding the indicators of demand and supply of qualifications and skills, there is a great demand but also a need for improvement in communication, foreign languages, digital skills, initiative in entrepreneurship, as well as crisis and conflict management.

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The sectors which support to a large extent Crete's economy are tourism, food services and trade. Most of the workforce on Crete, whether salaried or self-employed, are occupied in these sectors. Because of the economy's great dependence on tourism, the job market is extremely seasonal with employment rising sharply in the summer months.

It is clear that the labour market has not yet regained its balance after the pandemic, and the huge lack of personnel observed in many sectors of the economy, such as manufacturing, tourism, construction etc., points in this direction. The tourism sector is experiencing the greatest shortage of staff, and this is highlighted by open vacancies reaching 55 000. The analyses of the Hellenic Association of Enterprises reveal in high demand but in which companies find it difficult to find staff. High-demand occupations in the industries of Manufacturing, ICT technologies and communication, energy, and logistics.

The three most populous categories of professions until 2020 remain service workers and salespersons (27.4%), self-employed (16%) and specialist farmers and agro-breeders (13.7%). They are followed by skilled craftsmen (11%), unskilled workers (8.8%) and clerical officers (7.8%).

According to the latest data from the Regional Mechanism for Monitoring the Labour Market in Crete, the main point remains that this year the new jobs will mainly be low-skilled jobs. A greater dynamism is expected in the following jobs: unskilled workers (26%), skilled technicians (25%), service workers and salespersons (22%), technologists and technical assistants (9%), clerical officers (7%), persons in scientific, artistic and related occupations (6%), as well as operators of stationary industrial installations, machinery etc. (5%).