Human Capital
Greece has a specialized and highly trained workforce, capable of effectively supporting any investment project. Based on the following tables, 46.4% of the total labour force has a higher education degree, while 7.0% has a master’s degree and/or a doctorate. It is also indicative that, according to the Hellenic Statistical Authority (data published in March 2024), 22.5% of employed persons are service providers and salesmen, 16.2% are skilled craftsmen and plant and machine operators, 11.1% are office clerks, 10.7% are skilled agricultural and fishery workers and 6.7% are technicians.
The workforce is aligned with the needs of the Greek economy and the trends of the globalized market, with approximately 71.4% employed in the services sector, 16.0% in the secondary sector and 12.0% in the primary sector – more detailed data concerning the employed persons by section of economic activity is presented in the tables below. Furthermore, according to a survey conducted by the Greek Statistical Authority, 69.5% of adults in Greece speak at least one foreign language, while 64.5% of adults speak English.
Source: Hellenic Statistical Authority March 2024, data processed by Enterprise Greece
| Employed persons by section of economic activity
(in thousands), 2023 (4th quarter) |
|
| Agriculture, forestry and fishing | 491.9 |
| Mining and quarrying | 11.6 |
| Manufacturing | 416.1 |
| Electricity, gas, water supply, sewerage, waste management | 73.0 |
| Construction | 178.1 |
| Trade | 699.0 |
| Accommodation and food service activities | 358.5 |
| Transportation and storage | 230.9 |
| Information and communication | 106.4 |
| Financial and insurance activities | 89.4 |
| Real estate activities | 14.0 |
| Public administration and defence; compulsory social security | 366.3 |
| Education | 308.6 |
| Human health and social work activities | 322.9 |
| Various service activities | 486.1 |
| Other category | 26.0 |
| Total | 4,178.8 |
Source: Hellenic Statistical Authority March 2024, data processed by Enterprise Greece
| Level of education of the labour force (in thousands and %), 2023 (4th quarter) |
||
| Post graduate qualification | 328.7 | 7.0% |
| University degree | 852.0 | 18.2% |
| Third level technical – vocational institution degree | 988.1 | 21.2% |
| Completed secondary level education | 1,782.7 | 38.2% |
| Level lower than the above | 720.3 | 15.4% |
| Total | 4,671.8 | 100% |
Source: Hellenic Statistical Authority March 2024, data processed by Enterprise Greece
Average annual hours actually worked per worker 2022
Source: OECD, April 2024