Greece Unemployment Rate Drops to Less than Eight Percent in September of this Year, Boosted by the Seasonal Jobs in Tourism Driving Economic Growth

Greece’s unemployment rate improved substantially in September 2025, falling by 7.3 percent compared to the same period in the past year. Stats from the Public Employment Service (DYPA) reveal that the number of registered unemployed in Greece was 720,039, a decrease of 56,287 individuals from September 2024 and down 70,805 individuals (9 percent) from August 2025. The consistent drop in unemployment is an indication of good trends in Greece’s labor market, fueled by robust economic rebound and rising labor demand in different sectors.

Seasonal Employment and Tourism Jobs Stabilize the Labor Market

A significant contributor to this decrease in unemployment is the ongoing role of seasonal employment, especially within the tourism sector. Greece’s tourism industry continues to be a major driver of the economy, and as tourism-related employment expands, it plays a key role in stabilizing the labor market during peak seasons.

According to DYPA, of the 171,667 subsidized unemployed individuals, 5,751 (or 3.4 percent) were employed in tourism professions, while another 796 (or 0.5 percent) worked in other seasonal sectors, such as agriculture. This highlights the pivotal role that the travel industry and seasonal jobs play in supporting employment, especially during the summer and fall months when tourism peaks. As the country capitalizes on its tourism industry, these seasonal positions help to reduce unemployment, providing short-term but crucial employment opportunities for thousands.

The Role of Travel Jobs in the Greek Economy

The tourism sector not only helps stabilize the labor market but also supports a vast range of travel-related jobs, contributing to the overall economic recovery of the country. These jobs range from those working directly in tourism—such as hotel staff, tour guides, and restaurant workers—to those supporting infrastructure, such as transportation, airlines, and tourism agencies. According to recent reports, the travel and hospitality industries provide a significant portion of Greece’s employment, especially during the peak tourist seasons.

Seasonal tourism jobs offer employment to many individuals who may otherwise struggle to find work throughout the year. This includes roles such as seasonal hotel staff, waiters and waitresses, tour operators, drivers, and customer service representatives. Additionally, Greece’s growing interest in sustainable tourism has led to the creation of jobs that focus on environmentally friendly practices, such as eco-tourism guides and sustainability officers for hotels and resorts. These positions are vital in helping to reduce unemployment during the high season and offer workers valuable skills and experience for future opportunities in the tourism and hospitality sectors.

Moreover, Greece’s strategic investment in tourism infrastructure, such as expanding airports, ports, and improving transportation networks, has directly led to a growth in travel-related jobs, with opportunities in construction, transportation logistics, and airport operations.

Breakdown of Subsidized Unemployment: Gender and Age Group Trends

The data also revealed insights into the subsidized unemployment figures. Among the subsidized unemployed, 165,916 (or 96.6 percent) were classified under general unemployment, while 26,431 (or 15.4 percent) were teachers, reflecting the start of the new school year. These figures demonstrate that while the overall unemployment rate is falling, there are still significant numbers of people who remain in long-term unemployment, particularly those without seasonal or tourism-related work.

By gender, women continue to be disproportionately affected by unemployment in Greece, comprising 70.1 percent (or 120,269 individuals) of the subsidized unemployed, while men accounted for 29.9 percent (or 51,398 individuals). This gender imbalance reflects broader challenges in the labor market, where women may face more barriers to entry in certain sectors, despite the growth in tourism-related job opportunities.

Age group data shows that the 30-44 age group still represents the largest share of the unemployed, with 217,125 individuals (or 30.2 percent) falling into this category. This suggests that individuals in the mid-career age bracket may face ongoing difficulties in finding stable employment, even as overall figures improve.

Regional Unemployment Patterns: Attica and Central Macedonia Leading the Way

Regionally, the highest concentrations of unemployment remain in Attica and Central Macedonia, which together account for more than 55 percent of the country’s unemployed population. Specifically, Attica recorded 35 percent (or 252,014 individuals) of total unemployment, while Central Macedonia accounted for 20.4 percent (or 146,567 individuals).

Athens, located in the Attica region, continues to be the economic and cultural heart of Greece, and as such, the largest proportion of unemployed individuals are found there. This can be attributed to the large number of people migrating to the capital in search of permanent employment, particularly in fields like public administration, finance, and technology. However, the tourism sector in Attica plays a vital role in providing seasonal employment in hospitality, transportation, and retail, helping to buffer the region’s unemployment rate.

Long-Term Unemployment Remains a Challenge

Despite the positive trend in overall unemployment figures, long-term unemployment continues to be a challenge. 410,662 individuals (or 57 percent) of the unemployed have been registered for 12 months or longer, which suggests that the structural issues in the labor market remain. This long-term unemployment particularly affects people in non-seasonal industries, those with lower skill levels, and those outside the tourism and service sectors.

Addressing long-term unemployment requires structural changes to the Greek labor market, including investments in skills development, job training, and policies that foster diversified industries beyond seasonal work. Strengthening the country’s technology sector, promoting innovation, and creating stable job opportunities in fields like healthcare, education, and digital transformation could reduce long-term unemployment in the future.

Looking Ahead: The Future of Travel Jobs in Greece’s Economic Growth

Since tourism is a core contributor to the Greek economy, the contribution of travel employment in curbing unemployment will continue to increase, particularly during peak tourist seasons. Emphasis on sustainable tourism, increasing infrastructure, and building year-round tourism will increase employment opportunities further. Moreover, Greece’s increasing emphasis on cultural tourism and specialty markets such as eco-tourism and gastronomy tourism will create more varied job opportunities.

In summary, Greece’s tourism industry remains a stabilizing factor in the nation’s job market, offering seasonal work that benefits the economy at peak tourist periods. Although there are still challenges, particularly long-term unemployment, the continued decline in unemployment numbers is a welcome indicator of strengthening economy and changing labor patterns. With continued efforts to diversify the employment mix of Greece, the tourism sector will continue to be a key stimulus for economic rebound and job generation in the coming years.

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