What makes up the gap between Greece and Europe?

In 2025, GDP per person in Greece was 70% of the EU average after adjusting for price differences (provisional), 26th of 27 EU countries. Consumption per person, which is closer to everyday living standards, was 82% (20th).

People in work in Greece worked 1,981 hours each in 2025, 23% more than the EU average, 2nd highest of 27. This covers employees and the self-employed, from national accounts.

Each hour worked produced 54% of the EU level of output, 27th of 27. Output per hour × hours per worker × workers per resident gives GDP per person exactly: 0.54 × 1.23 × 1.04 = 0.70 of the EU level. Below the EU: output per hour. At or above it: hours per worker, workers per resident.

Is it because Greece has more low-output sectors? Mostly not. In 2024, the difference in sector mix accounts for −€5.2 of the gap per hour and differences within the same sectors for −€20.9. Greece is below the EU level in 9 of 10 sectors. Nominal euros also reflect price-level differences.

In 2024, 44% of people working in Greek businesses were in firms with fewer than 10 people, against 30% across the EU. Investment was 18.0% of GDP in 2025 (provisional), 25th highest of 27. Research often links firm size and investment to productivity; these figures alone do not measure that effect.