Greece – Aris Alexopoulos, head of the OECD Population Dynamics Centre in Crete, expressed his deep concern about demographic shifts in Greece. He explained the direct effects of these shifts on the economy and the labor market.
In an interview with ERT, Alexopoulos explained that the country is experiencing a decline in birth rates and an increase in life expectancy. He emphasized that frequent population movements have negatively impacted labor availability and productivity.
He noted that the working-age population (15-64 years) is projected to decline by about two million people by 2050, a 30% drop from the current 6.6 million. He added, “If productivity and labor force participation are not boosted, GDP could fall by as much as 15%.”
He also highlighted labor market gaps, noting that companies are struggling to fill vacancies despite high unemployment. He explained that 75% of companies are experiencing labor shortages, pointing to the lack of attractiveness for skilled workers in certain technical fields. He emphasized that sectors such as plumbing, auto mechanics, and crane operators are facing labor shortages.
Alexopoulos did not overlook the issue of discrimination, pointing out the low participation of women in the labor market. Only 1.8 million women out of 3 million of working age are employed, a phenomenon he described as “gender discrimination.” He also noted a rise in unemployment among those aged 55 to 64, referring to it as “age discrimination.”
An OECD expert proposed an urgent solution: the organized recruitment of workers from third countries. He stressed the need to focus on vocational training and language preparation, and to provide long-term residency programs. He noted that the agreement between Greece and Egypt regarding 5,000 workers serves as a positive example.
Alexopoulos concluded by saying: “The next great international competition will not be limited to technology or capital alone. It will assess each country’s ability to attract manpower,” stressing that human resources will be the focus of the “battle” of the future global economy.
