Greece tops EU profit index while wages lag behind the continent
Eurostat data shows Greece leading the EU in corporate profitability, yet the country records some of the lowest average wages and high poverty risk in Europe.
Eurostat’s profitability index places Greece at the top of the European Union for corporate earnings growth projected through 2026, with the index rising sharply compared with other member states like Croatia and Ireland. This surge is driven by a small group of large listed companies that dominate the market’s capitalization and profit share. Conversely, Eurostat’s social indicators reveal that Greece suffers from a high poverty-risk share and a median annual wage that is less than half of the EU average, ranking just above Bulgaria.
The country also lags in purchasing power and falls near the bottom in nominal full-time earnings. Additional gaps are evident in the balance of payments deficit, low labor productivity, and limited fixed-capital investment, underscoring broader structural weaknesses despite the profit surge.
Why it matters
The contrast shows Greece’s economy can generate corporate gains while many citizens face low wages and poverty.
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