Greeks emerged as the second least satisfied population with their lives across the European Union in 2023 and the third lowest across Europe, according to a survey published by Eurostat, the EU’s statistical office.

The findings place Greece in the second-to-last spot within the EU, with an average life satisfaction score of 6.9 out of 10. Only Bulgaria fares worse in the bloc, scoring 5.9, while Turkey records the lowest life satisfaction across Europe at 5.6.

The Greek score of 6.9 falls 0.4 points below the EU average of 7.3. Greece shares this range with Latvia, which reported an identical score, placing both countries in the 6.0–7.0 satisfaction category.

Factors Influencing Life Satisfaction

Life satisfaction, as noted by Eurostat, can be influenced by several factors, including age, level of education, family dynamics, and economic circumstances.

Top-Scoring Countries in the EU

Among the EU’s 27 member states, 15 countries reported scores at or above the bloc’s average. Finland led the rankings with the highest score of 7.8, followed closely by Belgium, Austria, Romania, and Slovenia, each scoring 7.7.

Positive Outlook in Most EU Countries

Notably, according to Eurostat, all EU countries, except Bulgaria, recorded an average life satisfaction score above 6. This indicates that most respondents in the survey expressed more satisfaction than dissatisfaction with their lives overall.

According to a Eurostat report published in Nov. 2024, the average adjusted annual full-time salary per employee across the 27 EU member states for 2023, with the average Greek salary, once again, ranking near the bottom, holding the third-lowest position, just ahead of Hungary.

As the report noted the average adjusted annual salary in Greece stands at €17,000, with Hungary close behind at €16,900. The only country faring worse is Bulgaria, where the figure is €13,500.