Center of Planning and Economic Research

The financial difficulties of a large part of the population came to the fore again on the occasion of two surveys presented at a recent event at the Alexis Tsipras Institute. One, by pollsters Metron Analysis, shows that hopelessness about the present (many are struggling to make ends meet) and pessimism about the future (many are planning to cut spending, even on essentials) are taking over.

Has the purchasing power of Greeks slipped below the Bulgarians', or is it slightly below the EU average and improving? Depends on how to frame the question and what data you use.

A study by the Center of Planning and Economic Research (KEPE) points to the need for more support for families, after looking at the disposable income of different sized households in 2009, 2013 and 2023.

The KEPE GRIV "Fear" Index eased to 28.48% in December from 31.52% the previous month, evidence of a decrease in uncertainty for the expected short-term course of the Greek market.

The number of properties up for short-term lease in Greece has soared from just 130 in 2010 to over 200,000 by the end of 2019, according to a survey by the Center of Planning and Economic Research. Despite the huge changes this surge has brought to the property market, however, the regulatory framework has resisted change and adjustment to reality.

The process for the adjustment of the minimum wage will begin in the last 10 days of February, and according to law it must be completed within four months. Discussions have already started within the government, with spokesman Stelios Petsas reiterating New Democracy's election pledge for an increase up to the level of 703 euros per month in the next three years.

Three out of 10 companies founded during the years of the financial crisis (2009-18) did not survive it, according to a study by the Center of Planning and Economic Research.
The least affected were private capital companies, also called "one-euro companies" because they did not have a minimum capital requirement.

Even the state-funded Center of Planning and Economic Research (KEPE) is now forecasting that growth this year will fail to meet government expectations of 2.3 percent, estimating that it will come to 1.76 percent instead.

In its third post-bailout assessment published on Wednesday, the European Commission revealed an eightfold increase in card transactions in areas of Greece where stores are open most Sundays compared to the period before measures allowing shops to open on Sundays were introduced.

Consumers and employment in Greece have enjoyed considerable benefits from the opening up of commodity markets implemented since 2010 (in the context of the bailout programs and the recommendations of the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development), according to a study by the Center of Planning and Economic Research (KEPE).