Greece has overeducated its young people, but is unable to find them jobs in the domestic labor market that match their knowledge, skills, training and broader education.
As a result, Greece ranks 27th and last in the EU with a percentage of 66.2%, 19 points away from the 85.2% that is the European average.
The situation is even more difficult when it is focused on the level of education. Only high school graduates can more easily find a job in Greece (9th place in the EU), showing that the jobs are of low quality and do not require a high cognitive level.
According to the analysis carried out by the Institute of Labor (INE) of the GSEE and presented exclusively by “N”, it seems that Greece occupies the last place in terms of the mismatch in terms of the overeducation rate.
Greece, with 37.4%, is in 27th place in the EU, when the European average is almost 15 points lower (22.1%). Based on 2023 data, it appears that our country is dramatically lagging behind in covering overeducated workers, who are forced to work in low or medium-skilled occupations.
This particular “Greek paradox”, according to Christos Goulas, General Director of INE / GSEE, exists despite the fact that the younger generation is considered the best educated, possessing the most qualifications and having the greatest and easiest access to higher education. “However, in terms of employment of young people aged 15-29, Greece is in the last positions in Europe with 36% with the corresponding European average at 50%.”
