Greece’s Labor Market Crossroads: 2 Million Workers Needed by 2035

Greece is heading toward a critical demographic and economic turning point over the next decade. According to a recent study by the European Centre for the Development of Vocational Training (Cedefop), the country will need more than 2 million workers by 2035 to compensate for mass retirements and to fill newly created positions.

This looming shortfall is not merely a statistical concern — it represents a strategic national challenge. Without effective policies, Greece could face a loss of potential GDP, increasing strain on the pension system, and a deeper disconnect between labor market needs and available skills.

“Job vacancies coupled with hidden unemployment mean untapped national capital,” says Konstantinos Agrapidas, General Director of Labor Relations at the Ministry of Labor.

From Labor Crisis to Economic Opportunity

There is, however, a path forward. Empirical analyses suggest that well-designed labor policies could fill at least 100,000 of the vacant jobs, translating to a 1% GDP boost.

Key policy solutions include:

• Empowering women, youth, and older workers (silver economy),
• Encouraging the return of highly skilled Greeks from abroad,
• Facilitating legal and targeted labor migration from third countries.

The Jobs of the Future – and the Present

Sectors with the most urgent labor shortages include:

• Healthcare and caregiving,
• Education,
• Digital and technical professions.

Occupations in high demand include:

• Data analysts,
• Network engineers,
• Automation technicians,
• STEM professionals.

These high-skill positions, estimated at 646,000, offer strong salaries, career advancement opportunities, and drive both productivity and economic competitiveness.

Structural Risks, Not Temporary Trends

The challenges of missing skills, population aging, and labor force disengagement are not cyclical — they are structural threats to long-term growth. Left unaddressed, they could slow down or even reverse the country’s economic progress.

“The 2025–2035 decade offers no room for inaction. Greece cannot afford to stand on the sidelines,” the analysis stresses.

Turning the Unemployed into the Economy’s New Backbone

The labor shortage is also an opportunity for transformation. By tapping into underutilized talent, investing in reskilling, and removing structural barriers to employment, Greece can reinvigorate its workforce and write a new chapter in its post-crisis economic development.

With knowledge, strategy, and political will, Greece can shift the narrative — from a country of emigration to a country of opportunity.

Source: pagenews.gr