New EU Report Raises Red Flags Over Greece’s Social Conditions – GreekReporter.com

European Commission Report on Social Conditions in Greece: An SDG Perspective

A recent assessment by the European Commission indicates that Greece is experiencing significant social strain, with several key indicators diverging from European Union averages and undermining progress toward the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The country has been classified as requiring in-depth analysis due to substantial risks to its social cohesion.

Critical Challenges to SDG 1 (No Poverty) and SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities)

The report highlights severe challenges in poverty reduction and social inclusion, directly impacting the achievement of SDG 1 and SDG 10.

• Ineffective Social Transfers: Social benefits (excluding pensions) reduced poverty by only 16.6% in 2024, significantly below the EU average of 34.2%. This points to a critical gap in social safety nets essential for SDG 1.
• Rising Poverty Risk: The percentage of the population at risk of poverty or social exclusion has increased to 26.9%, reversing a decade of progress. Child poverty is a particular concern, with nearly 28% of children at heightened risk.
• High Income Inequality: The income inequality indicator for Greece remains above the EU average, demonstrating a persistent challenge in achieving SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities).
• Low Disposable Income: Despite some economic growth, disposable household income continues to be among the lowest in the EU, further exacerbating poverty and inequality.

Deterioration in Access to Housing and Healthcare (SDG 11 & SDG 3)

Access to essential services such as housing and healthcare has worsened, presenting obstacles to meeting targets for SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities) and SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being).

1. Housing Overburden: Nearly 29% of Greek households face an excessive housing cost burden, one of the highest rates in Europe and a direct contradiction to the goal of affordable housing under SDG 11.
2. Unmet Medical Needs: The share of people with unmet medical needs has risen to 12.1%, a stark contrast to the EU average of 2.5%. This deterioration signals a retreat from the universal health coverage goals of SDG 3.

Labor Market Disparities in Relation to SDG 8 and SDG 5

While the labor market has shown improvement, substantial gaps remain, affecting progress on SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth) and SDG 5 (Gender Equality).

• Below-Average Employment: The employment rate for adults (20-64) is 69.3%, well below the EU average of 75.8%, indicating a need for greater efforts to achieve full and productive employment as outlined in SDG 8.
• Gender Employment Gap: Women’s employment stands at 59.9%, one of the lowest in the EU. The persistent gender gap is a major barrier to achieving SDG 5.
• Youth Disadvantage: The rate of young people not in employment, education, or training (NEET) is 14.2%, exceeding the EU average and posing a significant challenge to SDG 8’s target for youth employment.

Mixed Performance in Quality Education and Lifelong Learning (SDG 4)

The report identifies long-standing challenges in skills development, which is central to SDG 4 (Quality Education), although one positive indicator is noted.

1. Stagnation in Adult Learning: Only 15.1% of adults participated in training, one of the lowest rates in the EU. This is classified as a critical issue hindering lifelong learning opportunities under SDG 4.
2. Low Student Performance: Greek students aged fifteen exhibit high rates of low performance in key competencies, and digital skills are below the EU average.
3. Positive Indicator: Greece maintains a very low early school leaving rate of 3%, a significant achievement that aligns with the targets of SDG 4.

Conclusion: High-Risk Classification and the Imperative for SDG-Aligned Reforms

The Commission’s findings place Greece in a high-risk category, necessitating a deeper review to guide targeted reforms. The primary challenge is to ensure that economic growth translates into tangible social progress, aligning national policies with the Sustainable Development Goals to address poverty, inequality, and access to essential services for its most vulnerable populations.

SDGs Addressed in the Article

Detailed Analysis

• SDG 1: No Poverty – The article directly addresses this goal by highlighting the rising risk of poverty in Greece. It mentions that the share of people at risk of poverty or social exclusion has increased to 26.9%, with children being particularly vulnerable at nearly 28%. The inefficiency of social transfers in reducing poverty is also a key point.
• SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being – This goal is relevant due to the article’s focus on healthcare accessibility. It states that access to healthcare has deteriorated, with the share of people reporting unmet medical needs rising to 12.1%, significantly higher than the EU average.
• SDG 4: Quality Education – The article discusses several aspects of education and skills. It points out the stagnation in skills development, with a very low rate of adult participation in training (15.1%). It also mentions Greek students’ low performance in key competencies. On a positive note, it highlights Greece’s very low early school leaving rate (3%).
• SDG 5: Gender Equality – This goal is addressed through the discussion of the labor market. The article explicitly states that women’s employment is among the lowest in Europe (59.9%) and that the gender employment gap is “one of the widest in the Union.”
• SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth – The article extensively covers labor market conditions. While noting an increase in employment, it emphasizes that the overall rate (69.3%) is below the EU average. It also points to the high share of young people not in employment, education, or training (NEET) and the low disposable household income.
• SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities – This is a central theme of the article. It explicitly states that “Income inequality remains high” and that Greece’s indicator is above the EU average. The widening inequalities are mentioned in the introductory caption, and the article discusses disparities between different groups (e.g., children, women, youth).
• SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities – This goal is connected through the issue of housing. The article reports that the burden of housing costs is increasing, with nearly 29% of households spending an excessive portion of their income on housing, which relates to the provision of adequate and affordable housing.

Specific SDG Targets Identified

Detailed Analysis

• Target 1.2: By 2030, reduce at least by half the proportion of men, women and children of all ages living in poverty in all its dimensions according to national definitions. The article directly relates to this by stating that the share of people at risk of poverty or social exclusion increased to 26.9%, with the rate for children at nearly 28%.
• Target 1.3: Implement nationally appropriate social protection systems and measures for all, including floors, and by 2030 achieve substantial coverage of the poor and the vulnerable. This is identified through the critique of Greece’s social transfers, which reduced poverty by only 16.6%, far below the EU average, indicating a need for more efficient social protection systems.
• Target 3.8: Achieve universal health coverage, including financial risk protection, access to quality essential health-care services and access to safe, effective, quality and affordable essential medicines and vaccines for all. The article points to a failure in meeting this target by highlighting that the share of people with “unmet medical needs rose to 12.1 percent.”
• Target 4.1: By 2030, ensure that all girls and boys complete free, equitable and quality primary and secondary education leading to relevant and effective learning outcomes. The article provides a positive indicator for this target, noting Greece’s “particularly low early school leaving rate of only 3 percent.”
• Target 4.4: By 2030, substantially increase the number of youth and adults who have relevant skills, including technical and vocational skills, for employment, decent jobs and entrepreneurship. The article shows a significant gap in achieving this target, as “Only 15.1 percent of adults participated in training,” and digital skills are below average.
• Target 8.5: By 2030, achieve full and productive employment and decent work for all women and men, including for young people and persons with disabilities, and equal pay for work of equal value. This target is relevant as the article discusses the overall employment rate (69.3%), women’s low employment rate (59.9%), and the wide gender employment gap.
• Target 8.6: By 2020, substantially reduce the proportion of youth not in employment, education or training. The article directly addresses this by mentioning that the share of young people in this category (NEET) is 14.2%, which “still exceeds the EU average.”
• Target 10.2: By 2030, empower and promote the social, economic and political inclusion of all, irrespective of age, sex, disability, race, ethnicity, origin, religion or economic or other status. The article’s statement that “Income inequality remains high” and is above the EU average directly relates to this target of promoting inclusion and reducing inequality of outcome.
• Target 11.1: By 2030, ensure access for all to adequate, safe and affordable housing and basic services and upgrade slums. The article connects to this target by stating that “Nearly 29 percent of Greek households allocate an excessive portion of their income to housing,” indicating a challenge in affordable housing.

Indicators for Measuring Progress

Detailed Analysis

• Proportion of population living below the national poverty line: Implied by the indicator “share of people at risk of poverty or social exclusion,” which was 26.9%. The rate for children was nearly 28%.
• Poverty reduction impact of social transfers: The article explicitly states that social transfers (excluding pensions) reduced poverty by only 16.6%.
• Proportion of population with large household expenditures on health: Implied by the indicator “share of people with unmet medical needs,” which was 12.1%.
• Participation rate of youth and adults in formal and non-formal education and training: The article provides a direct indicator: “Only 15.1 percent of adults participated in training during the previous year.”
• Proportion of youth (aged 15-24 years) not in education, employment or training (NEET): The article gives a specific figure of 14.2% for this indicator.
• Unemployment rate, by sex: While not giving a specific unemployment rate for women, it provides the “Women’s employment” rate of 59.9% and notes the “gender employment gap remains one of the widest in the Union.”
• Proportion of population living in households with housing cost overburden: The article provides a direct indicator: “Nearly 29 percent of Greek households allocate an excessive portion of their income to housing.”
• Early school leaving rate: The article provides a direct and positive indicator: “a particularly low early school leaving rate of only 3 percent.”

Summary Table: SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: greekreporter.com