Greece Leads EU in Over-Qualification Rates for Non-EU Workers

In 2023, Greece recorded the highest share of over-qualified non-EU citizens employed within the European Union, with an alarming rate of 69.6%, according to recent statistics.

This figure starkly contrasts with the EU-wide over-qualification rate of 39.4% for non-EU citizens, highlighting a significant disparity in employment quality for immigrants in Greece.

The over-qualification rate measures the percentage of employed individuals whose educational qualifications exceed the requirements of their job. For Greek nationals, this rate stood at 20.8%, while for citizens of other EU countries, it was 31.3%. In comparison, Italy and Spain also reported high over-qualification rates for non-EU citizens at 64.1% and 56.0%, respectively.

The data further reveals a gender gap in over-qualification rates across the EU. In 2023, female non-EU citizens faced a 6.7 percentage point higher over-qualification rate than their male counterparts. This trend is mirrored among citizens of other EU countries, with a 3.2 percentage point higher rate for women. For nationals, the difference was 1.2 percentage points.

As the country with the highest rate of over-qualified non-EU workers, Greece faces a pressing issue that demands comprehensive solutions to better integrate skilled immigrants into its labour market.

Read more: Eurostat reports

(Source: Eurostat)