Thirty-eight to one hundred Greeks and 48 in a hundred EU-citizens is ready to leave the residence and to move to another area or country,, if unemployed and facing problems finding work.
These results from the Eurobarometer survey, released a couple of days ago in Brussels, concern the geographical mobility in the labor market.
Under the EU poll, the highest readiness for migrating to another area or country, if unemployed, show the Cypriots, the Swedes and the French (66%). The lowest readiness show Portuguese (31%) and Bulgarians (33%).
Interesting is the fact that compared to the survey of September 2005, the percentage of Greeks who say ready to move to another area or country, declined significantly (from 67% to 38% – the highest in the EU).
While in general Greeks prefer to move within the European Union, Great Britain (31%) leads in their preference with 31%. It is followed by Germany (28%) and France (27%). Only 20% would go to USA and 2% to Australia, countries what have absorbed millions of Greek immigrants during the last century.
Immigrating Greek Barbouni
47% Greeks say they would move to another country in order to earn more. Another 47% will move only to countries providing good employment opportunities and 24% say they will stay there as long as possible.
The survey was conducted November-December 2009, before the economical situation in Greece became tragic and austerity measures were imposed.
The unemployment rate is on the rise due to austerity measures that raise taxes and decrease households income, hit severely the domestic economy, freeze hiring in public sector and weaken key sectors like tourism and construction. Unemployment rate rose to 11,6% in March 2010 (9,2% March 2009).
According to Greek Statistics Office the group leading the unemployment rates is the youth (15-24 years old) with 32%, followed by women 15,3%.
The International Monetary Fund expects the unemployment rate in Greece to reach 14,6% by 2012.
Full Eurobarometer Report: http://ec.europa.eu/public_opinion/archives/ebs/ebs_337_en.pdf
