Ministry of Labour: 563,000 New Jobs Since 2019 – Full Employment Rises to 78.5%

Highly positive findings for the labour market emerge from the 2025 annual report of the Integrated Information System ‘ERGANI’. Data show a continuous upward trend in employment and wages, with unemployment falling to 7.5% in December 2025—down from 9.4% in December 2024—the lowest level in 18 years and the second-lowest ever recorded in the country. From December 2019 to December 2025, over 563,000 new jobs were created, reflected in monthly employment flows. Full-time employment rose to 78.5% from 76.4% in 2024; this represents an increase of 9.3 percentage points since 2019, when it stood at 69%. Today, 557,925 more workers are employed full-time compared to 2019. The gender gap in salaried employment narrowed to 3.6 percentage points (51.81% men, 48.19% women), down from 6.7 points in 2019. A total of 1,185,757 women are now salaried employees—259,480 more than in 2019. The average gross wage for full- and part-time workers rose to €1,362.66 (from €1,342 in 2024), marking a cumulative 30.3% increase since 2019 (€1,046). The average full-time wage reached €1,516—up from €1,478 in 2024 and €1,264 in 2019—a 20% overall rise. Now, 63.5% of salaried workers earn over €1,000 monthly—up from 53.7% in 2024 and just 36.3% in 2019, reflecting a 75% increase. Meanwhile, 24.29% of employees—nearly one in four—earn between €1,001 and €1,200, up from 19.36% in 2024 and just 10% in 2019. Labour and Social Insurance Minister Nikē Kerameōs stated: “Our labour policy and actions to boost employment and strengthen citizens’ disposable income are delivering tangible, immediate, and positive results. In 2026, we continue our efforts to create ever more—and higher-quality—jobs. Every initiative and action is designed to be effective and meaningful for our citizens.”