Athens, March 28, 2025 – Greece remains mired near the bottom of the European Union in purchasing power, ranking 26th out of 27 countries, according to new Eurostat data. Surpassing only Bulgaria, the purchasing power of Greeks is 30% below the EU average, dealing a blow to the Mitsotakis government’s economic narrative.
The per capita gross domestic product (GDP), measured in purchasing power parity, stands at just 70% of the EU average. Latvia fares slightly better at 71%, while Bulgaria lags at 66%. Among Southern European nations hit by the debt crisis, Greece trails significantly: Portugal records 82%, Spain 92%, and Italy 98%.
In stark contrast, Luxembourg tops the EU with a purchasing power 141% above the average, followed by Ireland at 111%. The Netherlands (+35%), Denmark (+28%), and Belgium (+17%) also outpace the bloc’s benchmark. For Greece, the Eurostat figures highlight a persistent economic struggle, with supermarkets—captured in images of lonely shopping carts (APE – BME/Alexandros Vlachos)—serving as a grim reminder of the nation’s battered purchasing power.
Source: Eurostat