Greek young people aged 16 to 34 have a median net wealth of just 9,900 euros, placing them among the poorest youth in t...

Greek young people aged 16 to 34 have a median net wealth of just 9,900 euros, placing them among the poorest youth in the European Union, according to a new report drawing on European Central Bank and Eurostat data published in mid-2026. The eurozone average for the same age group sits at 24,600 euros, meaning Greek youth hold less than half the typical wealth of their EU peers. The gap becomes even starker when compared to top-ranking countries. Young people in Malta start their adult lives with a median net wealth of 257,500 euros, while Luxembourg's under-35s hold around 135,000 euros and Belgium's close to 97,200 euros. Greece ranks second to last among 22 European countries surveyed, ahead of only Finland at 5,700 euros. Beyond raw wealth figures, 30% of Greeks aged 15 to 29 face a direct risk of poverty or social exclusion, per Eurostat. The severe material and social deprivation rate for young Greeks stands at 14.7%, compared to a European average of just 5.8%. Greece's purchasing power also remains 32% below the EU average. The roots of the crisis run deeper than current wages. The decade-long financial crisis of the 2010s wiped out the savings of middle-class families, slashed pensions, and loaded property with heavy taxes like ENFIA. The informal safety net that once allowed Greek parents to pass homes or startup capital to their children has largely collapsed. Many young Greeks now inherit debts, mortgaged properties, and unresolved tax obligations instead of assets. Meanwhile, inflation on essentials like food, energy, and fuel has effectively cancelled out the minimum wage increases of recent years, leaving young workers with little real gain despite official growth figures the government has celebrated. #Greece #Economy #GreekYouth