Country explorer: Greece
EXPERIMENTAL
2024
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Overview
Greece is a sunny, high-income country in Europe with a medium-sized population. Its economy has been volatile in recent decades, and is based on tourism, shipping, agriculture and manufacturing.
Greece is famous for being the birthplace of democracy and the Olympic Games.
Economy
Greece's economy has undergone significant transformation, marked by a severe economic downturn characterized by high unemployment rates and inflation fluctuations, leading to widespread poverty and societal shifts, distinguishing it from its high-income and southern European peers by the depth and duration of its financial crisis.
Demographics
Greece has experienced a declining population, negative net migration rates, decreasing fertility rates below the replacement level, and an increase in life expectancy, mirroring trends seen in other high-income countries, particularly Southern European counterparts like Italy, Portugal, and Spain.
Basic needs
Greece has consistently maintained universal access to clean cooking fuels, electricity, and nearly full access to safely managed drinking water and sanitation, aligning it with other high-income countries and showcasing a strong commitment to ensuring basic needs are met for all its citizens.
Human development
Greece has seen a significant improvement in its Human Development Index (HDI) and literacy rates, alongside a decrease in child mortality rates, reflecting positive trends in longevity, education quality, and overall living standards akin to its Southern European peers.
Environment & energy
Greece has seen a significant reduction in CO2 emissions per capita, a shift towards more renewable sources in electricity production, a slight increase in forest area, and a stable availability of renewable internal freshwater resources, reflecting a broader commitment to environmental sustainability that aligns with trends observed in many high-income countries.
Technology & innovation
Greece has seen a substantial increase in internet usage, mobile phone subscriptions, and a steady improvement in its dedication to research and development, reflecting a significant digital transformation and a growing commitment to innovation, akin to broader trends observed across high-income countries.
Culture & society
Greece has experienced a modest increase in the portion of its population born abroad, a fluctuating progression towards higher self-reported life satisfaction following a period of crisis, a notable reduction in gender inequality, and a steady increase in its age dependency ratio, reflecting broader trends of demographic shift and societal progress common to high-income countries.
Governance
Greece has experienced notable governance transformations, including improvements in corruption perception and slight fluctuations in rule of law and civil liberties, juxtaposing a challenging but gradually advancing path towards stronger governance frameworks when compared to the more stable or improving trends observed in fellow Southern European countries like Portugal and Spain.