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: Hungary
The Greek National Women’s Water Polo Team triumphed at the World Cup, defeating Hungary 13-9 in the final to claim the gold medal. Their stellar performance and teamwork secured a historic victory, earning praise for the players, coaches, and the Greek Swimming Federation (KOE).
Greece is poised for greatness in the 2025 World Cup final against Spain, following a stunning 18–14 semifinal victory over Hungary in Podgorica. Led by Argyropoulos’ five goals and a lethal 69% man-up efficiency, the Hellenic squad avenged a prior loss with poise and firepower, setting up a historic clash for their first-ever World Cup title.
In 2023, EU governments allocated €227 billion to defence, representing 2.7% of total expenditure and 1.3% of GDP. Greece ranked among the top spenders, dedicating 2.2% of its GDP to defence, following Latvia, Estonia, and Lithuania. The increase in defence budgets across the EU reflects a growing focus on security amid geopolitical tensions.
Greek MEP Afrodite Latinopoulou ignited debate at the European Parliament, condemning illegal immigration and the Islamization of Europe while urging mass deportations and support for frontline nations like Greece. Her provocative speech, which accused EU leaders of enabling crime and ghettoization, drew both support and criticism, highlighting deep divisions on immigration policy.
New data from Eurostat shows a record drop in the number of children born in the European Union for the year 2023, with only 3.67 million births recorded, marking a 5.4% decrease from the previous year. This decline underscores the demographic crisis in the EU, with Greece having one of the lowest fertility rates at 1.26 births per woman.
In a focused effort to address the ongoing situation in Ukraine, London hosted an emergency summit organized by Starmer. While key figures such as the UK, Canada, Zelensky, and Rutte participated, Greece, Hungary, and Croatia were notably absent. Although Türkiye received a presidential invitation, it opted to send its foreign minister instead. The summit homed in on Ukraine, steering clear of broader EU issues.
NATO defense spending has surged since 2014, with countries like Poland, Hungary, and Lithuania leading the way in massive budget hikes. In 2014, only three members—including Greece, at 2.36% of GDP—met the 2% target. By 2024, that number soared to 23 out of 31, with the U.S. still dominating at $754.7 billion.
Greece has amongst highest rates of female scientists and engineers in Europe at nearly 48.4%…
Hungary, Greece, Montenegro, and Spain have advanced to the World Aquatics World Cup finals in Kotor, Montenegro, this April. Each team secured its spot through impressive quarterfinal victories, setting the stage for exciting semifinal matchups. As the competition heats up, these teams aim for advantageous positions in the finals series, promising intense matches ahead.
A €37 billion mega-motorway project will connect six countries from the Baltic to the Aegean Sea, promising to reshape travel, trade, and geopolitics across Europe. The “ABC+De” motorway will drastically reduce travel times and integrate high-speed rail, 5G, and fiber optic networks, boosting economies and strengthening ties within the EU and NATO.
In 2023, Greece reported the highest rate of subjective poverty among individuals with low education levels in the European Union, with 81.8% of low-educated Greeks considering themselves poor. While countries like Finland and the Netherlands reported much lower rates, Greece’s figures underscore the urgent need for targeted education and poverty alleviation policies to address these deepening socioeconomic divides.
Eurostat’s latest report reveals that Greece’s average adjusted annual salary remains one of the lowest in the European Union, standing at €17,000 for 2023, just ahead of Hungary and far below the EU average of €37,900. Despite positive economic indicators, such as GDP growth, many Greek citizens continue to struggle with living costs, particularly in cities like Athens, where salaries barely cover basic expenses. With wages in countries like Luxembourg, Denmark, and Ireland far outpacing Greece, the salary gap in Europe continues to widen, leaving many in Greece questioning the effectiveness of economic recovery policies.
World leaders offered a range of reactions to Donald Trump’s victory in the US presidential election, from reaffirmations of strong alliances to hopes for improved relations. Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu called it a “new chapter,” while French President Macron emphasized continued cooperation based on “shared convictions and mutual respect.” Other responses ranged from Hungarian Prime Minister Orban’s declaration of the “biggest comeback in US political history” to El Salvadoran President Bukele’s offer of blessings. The varied reactions underscore the complex diplomatic landscape facing the incoming Trump administration.
Greece’s U18 women’s water polo team has secured their spot in the World Championship final after a commanding 13-8 victory against the USA in the semifinals held in Chengdu, China. Nefeli Kovacevits and Ariadni Karabetsou led the Greek attack, scoring five and four goals respectively.
Devastating floods continue to plague Central Europe, claiming the lives of 16 people and forcing thousands to flee their homes. The Danube River, surging at an alarming rate of one meter per day, threatens to unleash further devastation
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.
In 2021, the European Union recorded 47,346 deaths by suicide, a 13% decrease from 2011. Greece had one of the lowest suicide rates in the EU, with 4.2 deaths per 100,000 people, just above Cyprus at 2.7. Men accounted for the majority of suicides, and most cases were observed in the 45-64 age group. These findings are highlighted in recognition of World Suicide Prevention Day.
Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan will attend an EU ministers’ meeting in Brussels next week, aiming to improve strained relations with the bloc. The meeting comes amid ongoing issues with Greece, particularly over human rights and regional disputes. Turkey hopes the talks will lead to progress on EU accession, visa liberalization, and other key areas.
Greece has reported 10 deaths from the West Nile virus in 2024, with a total of 76 domestic cases confirmed so far. Most of the severe cases involved central nervous system symptoms, and the fatalities were all among individuals over 60. The virus has spread across several regions, highlighting its ongoing presence in Greece and other European nations.