In 2023, maritime transport remained the dominant mode of freight movement within the EU, accounting for over two-thirds of all goods transported. Greece ranked among the top performers, with 96.4% of its freight moved by sea, highlighting the continued importance of shipping for coastal nations, according to new Eurostat data.
Tag: 2023
Greek police have confirmed the authenticity of three key videos showing the freight train involved in the tragic Tempi train crash, which claimed 57 lives in February 2023. The forensic analysis found no signs of suspicious cargo, addressing long-standing speculation about the explosion that followed the collision. The videos, submitted with a two-year delay, provide critical evidence as investigators continue to unravel the circumstances of one of Greece’s deadliest rail disasters.
In 2023, Greece recorded the highest levels of perceived crime, violence, and vandalism in the EU, with 23.7% of those at risk of poverty reporting such issues. The country also led among those not at risk, with 20.2% experiencing similar concerns. These figures highlight Greece’s ongoing challenges in public safety compared to other EU nations.
In 2023, the average life satisfaction rating in the EU was 7.3 out of 10, with Finland leading at 7.8. Greece scored 6.9, placing it among the lowest in the bloc alongside Latvia and Bulgaria. While most Europeans reported being more satisfied than dissatisfied, Greece’s below-average rating highlights ongoing challenges in well-being and quality of life.
A series of powerful earthquakes have shaken Santorini, a Greek island in the Aegean. The…
EU ports recorded 395.3 million passengers in 2023, marking a 5.8% increase compared to the previous year. Greece and Italy led the way in seaborne passenger transport, with Messina in Italy being the busiest EU passenger port. Despite the increase, passenger numbers were still 5.5% lower than pre-COVID levels in 2019.
In 2023, rail transport fatalities in the EU rose to 841, reversing a decade-long decline. Greece recorded a staggering 22.3 deaths per thousand kilometers of railway track, the highest in the EU. The majority of fatalities involved unauthorized persons on the tracks (58%), followed by accidents at level crossings (27%). This troubling trend highlights significant disparities in rail safety across Europe, with Greece facing particular scrutiny as it grapples with high fatality rates.
Greece faced 9,500 wildfires in 2023, its hottest and driest year on record, burning nearly 44,500 hectares of land. While the number of fires rose by 7.5% compared to the last 20 years, swift action from authorities reduced the affected area by 14%. Minister Vassilis Kikilias highlighted the growing challenge of fires occurring outside the traditional fire season, with climate change driving more extreme weather patterns in the country.
In 2023, the EU reached a historic low in unemployment, with the overall rate for individuals aged 15-74 dropping to 6.1%. However, Greece faced higher-than-average challenges, recording the highest long-term unemployment rate in the EU at 6.2%, as well as a notable youth unemployment rate of 9.8%. While countries like Denmark and Czechia saw much lower unemployment levels, Greece continues to struggle with integrating young people and long-term jobless individuals into the workforce.
In 2023, Greece reported a severe material and social deprivation rate of 13.5%, significantly higher than the EU average of 6.8%. This places Greece among the top three countries in the EU for deprivation, following Romania and Bulgaria.
Turkish police arrested 119 suspects linked to the Islamic State this week in a nationwide operation across 23 provinces, including Istanbul, Ankara, and Izmir. This is part of a broader crackdown that has seen over 3,600 arrests since June 2023.
Two Turkish nationals have been detained pending trial for alleged involvement in a deadly migrant boat incident near the Greek island of Symi. The suspects face charges of people smuggling after a boat chase with the Greek coastguard resulted in the death of a 39-year-old man. The coastguard officer who fired the fatal shots is also under investigation for involuntary manslaughter.
Greece ranks among the EU leaders in firefighter employment and government spending on fire-protection services. In 2023, firefighters made up 0.39% of Greece’s workforce, one of the highest in the EU, while the country dedicated 0.6% of its total government expenditure to fire safety in 2022.
In 2023, Greece recorded one of the lowest employment rates for recent graduates in the EU, with only 72.3% securing jobs. This figure is well below the EU average of 83.5%, highlighting ongoing challenges in the Greek labor market for young professionals.
In 2023, the EU saw a surge in battery-only electric car registrations, reaching 1.5 million new units. However, Greece lags behind, with electric vehicles making up only 0.2% of its passenger cars, significantly lower than leading countries like Denmark and Sweden.
Greece’s public debt is steadily decreasing as the economy recovers and primary surpluses return post-pandemic. By early 2024, government debt dropped to 159.8% of GDP, its lowest since 2012. Regaining investment grade status in 2023, Greece’s debt is projected to continue declining, potentially reaching 60% of GDP in 40 years with ongoing economic reforms and sustained primary surpluses.
In 2023, Greece reported the highest over-qualification rate for non-EU citizens within the European Union, with 69.6% of non-EU workers holding qualifications exceeding their job requirements. This highlights significant employment disparities and underscores the urgent need for targeted policies to better integrate skilled immigrants into Greece’s labor market.
In 2023, 27.3% of Greeks at risk of poverty could not afford a proper meal every second day, highlighting significant food insecurity. This figure places Greece among the highest in the EU for meal affordability gaps, underscoring severe material and social deprivation issues within the country.
In 2023, Greece led the EU in water transport employment with 49,200 people working in the sector, representing 16.6% of the EU total. Italy followed with 41,200 employees, with both countries accounting for nearly a third of the EU’s water transport workforce. The sector was predominantly male, with men comprising 79% of the workforce.
Recent 2023 data shows Greece’s AIC and GDP per capita significantly below the EU average, both at 33% less. This highlights Greece’s ongoing economic challenges and low household material welfare compared to other EU countries.