Greece Tops EU in Subjective Poverty for Low-Educated People

Greece ranked highest among EU nations in terms of individuals with a low level of education who are also considered poor. The data was recently revealed by Eurostat.

The subjective poverty rate for this group in Greece is 81.6 percent, surpassing all other EU member states. Following Greece are Bulgaria with 67.9 percent and Slovakia with 53.3 percent. In contrast, Finland, Luxembourg, and Sweden report the lowest figures at 7.3 percent, 10.0 percent, and 11.3 percent, respectively.

The subjective poverty rate across the European Union for individuals with low education levels is 29.5 percent, significantly higher than the rate for those with higher education, which is at 9.2 percent. For individuals with intermediate education, those who hold a high school diploma without higher education, the rate stands at 18 percent.

Furthermore, Greece demonstrates the highest proportions within the EU for individuals with both medium and high levels of education who subjectively view themselves as economically disadvantaged, with rates of 70 percent and 49 percent, respectively. According to Eurostat, most EU member states show significant disparities between highly and poorly educated population groups.

Subjective poverty highest among lower educated – Among the 26 EU countries, Greece had the highest share of people with a low education level (four fifths; 81.6%) considered poor – Eurostat https://t.co/Sc0RSIz8W8 pic.twitter.com/z3MOIQgpVL

— George Roussos (@baphometx) November 20, 2023

Subjective poverty, based on EU Statistics on Income and Living Conditions (EU-SILC) data, reflects an individual’s perception of their financial and material situation. This indicator considers various aspects of material well-being, including income, expenditure, debt, and wealth.

Greece Rises as a Top Choice for US Students for Education

Another 2023 survey, conducted by Open Doors, unveiled a notable surge in the number of American students who chose Greece as their study abroad destination, elevating the country to the eighth spot globally for the 2021-22 academic year. With 4,484 US students selecting Greece, this represented an upward trajectory from the ninth position in 2022 and the seventeenth position in 2018. The findings underscored Greece’s growing appeal and its emergence as a premier study destination for US students.

Concurrently, the study also indicated a rising trend among Greek students who opted for the United States for their academic pursuits. The 2022-23 academic year witnessed a 5.5 percent increase with a total of 2,539 Greek students enrolled in US academic institutions. Of these, 1,141 pursued graduate programs, 790 attended undergraduate programs, and the remaining students participated in other non-degree programs. This growth built upon the 2,407 Greek students who had studied in the US the previous year.

US Ambassador to Greece George J. Tsunis acknowledged the positive impact of this collaborative effort between the two nations. The tangible results with favorable implications for younger generations, economies, and bilateral relationships were emphasized. The diplomat expressed optimism in reaching even greater heights through continued collaboration.