Greek households spent more than their disposable income in 2025, with consumption exceeding available income by 6.4 billion euros ($7.1 billion), according to figures released by the Hellenic Statistical Authority.
The agency reported 171.8 billion euros ($191.3 billion) in final consumption spending, compared with 165.4 billion euros ($184.2 billion) in gross disposable income. The figures cover households and nonprofit institutions serving them as a combined sector, rather than showing the financial position of every household.
Spending increased 5.2% from 163.3 billion euros ($181.9 billion) in 2024, while disposable income rose 3.7% from 159.4 billion euros ($177.5 billion). The difference between spending and income widened from 3.9 billion euros ($4.3 billion) a year earlier.
The agency also reported a deterioration in the sector’s savings rate, which fell to minus 3.9% from minus 2.4% in 2024. The rate measures gross savings as a proportion of gross disposable income. A negative reading means the sector’s spending exceeded its income during the year.
Greek households see disposable income growth lag behind spending
The 2025 savings rate marked a reversal from the small improvement recorded in 2024, when the rate had moved to minus 2.4% from minus 2.5% in 2023. It was still less negative than the minus 4.8% registered in 2022.
Earlier savings rates were positive in 2010 and 2011, at 5.1% and 1%, respectively. The agency’s historical figures show that negative savings rates are not new in Greece. The rate stood at minus 6.8% in 2018 before returning to positive territory at 0.9% in 2020 and 4.6% in 2021. It has remained below zero each year since 2022.
The report tracks changes in income and consumption dating back to 2010 in its household charts. Its 2025 figures show that both measures increased, but consumption grew at a faster pace. The higher level of spending, rather than a decline in total disposable income, accounts for the larger gap reported for last year.
Greece’s trade deficit and external borrowing narrow in 2025
The report also showed a smaller deficit in Greece’s trade in goods and services. The shortfall narrowed to 11.6 billion euros ($12.9 billion) in 2025 from 13.6 billion euros ($15.1 billion) in 2024.
Imports of goods and services totaled 109.7 billion euros ($122.2 billion), down from 113.6 billion euros ($126.5 billion). Exports also declined, to 98.1 billion euros ($109.3 billion) from 100 billion euros ($111.4 billion).
Greece’s economy recorded net borrowing of 8.6 billion euros ($9.6 billion) from the rest of the world, compared with 13.8 billion euros ($15.4 billion) in 2024. Separately, the investment rate for nonfinancial companies slipped to 25.3% from 26.3%.
The statistical authority described the 2025 figures as provisional and published revised data for 2022 through 2024. The annual accounts cover households, companies, government, and transactions with the rest of the world. They follow the European Union’s common national accounting framework.
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