kathimerini.gr
Sharp Decline in Greece's 20-30 Year Old Population and Low Employment Rates
The population of 20-30 year olds in Greece has decreased by 36% in the last two decades, leading to low employment rates and a shrinking workforce, despite government efforts to incentivize employment in this age group.
- What is the extent of the population decline among 20-30 year olds in Greece, and what are the primary contributing factors?
- The population of 20-30 year olds in Greece has fallen by 36% over the last 20 years. This is due to a combination of factors: an aging population, low birth rates, and emigration driven by the search for better job opportunities abroad. The number of 20-29 year olds has dropped below one million, compared to 1.15 million in 2015 and 1.56 million in 2005.
- What are the main sectors employing young people in Greece, what are their average salaries, and what are the potential solutions to address these challenges?
- The majority of employed young people work in the tertiary sector, specifically hospitality and tourism (42.6% of employed men aged 20-30). Public sector employment is minimal. Four out of ten taxpayers aged 30 or younger report annual taxable income under €5,000, while 34% earn between €5,000 and €10,000. To increase employment, measures such as encouraging those currently economically inactive to enter the workforce and attracting young people back to Greece are needed.
- How does the low employment rate among 20-30 year olds in Greece compare to other European countries, and what are the key employment trends within this demographic?
- Greece significantly lags behind other European countries in youth employment. Of the 997,000 Greeks aged 20-29, only 574,600 are employed (58%). The remaining individuals are either unemployed or economically inactive, with a significant portion in the 20-24 age bracket (48.4%) pursuing further education. Unemployment rates are high at over 17% for the 20-24 age group and around 13.5% for the 25-29 age group.
Cognitive Concepts
Framing Bias
The article presents a balanced overview of the situation of young people in Greece, highlighting both the shrinking population and the low employment rates. While it focuses on the negative aspects, it does so by presenting statistical data and avoids overtly emotional language or subjective opinions.
Language Bias
The language used is largely neutral and objective, relying heavily on statistics and factual data. There's a slight negative connotation in phrases like "apokardiwtiki" (disheartening) when describing the salary statistics, but it's presented as a description of the data rather than a subjective judgment.
Bias by Omission
The article could benefit from including information about government initiatives aimed at addressing youth unemployment and population decline beyond the mention of tax breaks. Additionally, it would be valuable to include perspectives from young people themselves, providing a more nuanced understanding of their experiences and challenges. The limitations on space may explain some of these omissions.
Gender Bias
The analysis includes data for both men and women, comparing their employment sectors and salaries. While there's a mention of women being primarily employed in tourism and retail, it avoids gender stereotypes and presents the data objectively. Further exploration into gender pay gap could strengthen the analysis.
Sustainable Development Goals
The article highlights a 36% decrease in the 20-30 age group population in Greece over two decades, coupled with low employment rates and wages. This directly impacts SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth) by demonstrating a shrinking workforce, high youth unemployment, and low income levels, hindering economic growth and preventing decent work opportunities for young people. The statistics on unemployment, underemployment (those not economically active), and low wages clearly show a negative impact on decent work and economic growth.