Greece: How would you characterize the state of your country right now?

Answer 1

Is it expensive to live in Greece?
Answer: Anyone planning to live in Greece, particularly retirees, should take care not to underestimate the cost of living, which has increased considerably in the last decade. However, Greece is still a relatively inexpensive country by American and northern European standards. You should be wary of published cost of living comparisons with other countries, which are often wildly inaccurate (and usually include non-essential items which distort the results).
With the exception of Athens, other major cities and some islands such as Hydra and Mykonos, the cost of living in Greece is around 30 per cent below the average of northern European countries. In the Mercer Cost of Living Survey 2004, Athens ranked 50th in Europe (London was 2nd and Dublin 14th) and 71st internationally.

The economy of Greece:
Even if the economy of Greece has improved in recent years due to the tight policy before and after EU’s single currency and the preparation for the Olympic Games of 2004, Greece is one of the poorest countries of the European Union with the second-to-lowest average income.
The reconstruction of the economy and the reduction of unemployment (11.3%) are the major challenges of the country.
Greece has a mixed capitalistic economy with a large public sector that accounts about half of GDP and that is blamed for the slow economic growth...
It is an agricultural country with 20 % of the workforce employed in this sector. 59 % of the workforce is employed in the sector of services and the 21 % in the sector of industry (food and tobacco processing, textiles, chemicals, metal products, mining and petroleum) and construction. Even if Greece is an agricultural country, the agricultural contribution to the economy is only of 15 %.
The industry which contributes the most to the economy is the tourism industry and the shipping. Greece welcomes every year a number of tourists greater than the country’s total population and its shipping sector is the most important in the world.

Is Greece a safe country?
Yes, as always. It seems that no matter how crazy the world gets, a trip to the Greek islands is enough to bring a little peace to yourself. Criminality may have increased in Greece, but it is still considered a very safe country by international standards.

Environmental problems in Greece:
Rapid industrialization in Greece during the 1970s has resulted in heavy pollution. Especially air pollution, a serious environmental problem in Athens, where the government called 19 air pollution emergencies between 1982 and 1989. In addition to causing respiratory problems, the smog erodes marble and other stone and has pocked and discolored many of the country's priceless monuments and statues. Pollution monitoring stations have been installed throughout metropolitan Athens and in numerous other Greek cities. Recent efforts have reduced air pollution from heating and industry. Although motor vehicles must comply with emission standards, automobile exhaust, particularly from diesel-powered vehicles, is still a major pollution agent. Water pollution is also a problem, especially in the gulfs of Saronikos and Thermaikos, where untreated industrial wastes, sewage, and municipal wastewater are discharged.
In 2001, 13 of Greece's mammal species and 10 of its bird species were endangered. Six types of reptiles and 16 types of freshwater fish were also endangered. Of the nation's 4,000-plus plant species, 446 were threatened with extinction. Endangered species include the Mediterranean monk seal, the hawksbill turtle, Atlantic sturgeon, and the large copper butterfly.

Answer 2

How would i characterize Greece?or the Greeks?haha.Greece is a very beautiful country..especially the islands.i assume that if we didnt have the islands..we would have nothing.But Greece has sooooo many problems which begin from every individual and end right back at them.Greeks are very selfish people.each of them believe they are right and want to do whatever they want.they also want to rise to the top without starting from the bottom.We could have an amazing country but politcians are also in some way corrupt.But i have to say that i think we are the only people which complain about not having money and still go out everyday for coffee and nights for dancing.Greeks really do know how to have fun.that is true.i hope i helped u a bit

Answer 3

This is a broad question so I will touch on what I felt is the basis of your questions: Greece's Quality of Life

Quality of Life:

Greece's economy has been on a steady and upward course, however the rewards are not directly shown to the vast majority of the public. The primary reason for this in Greece is the wide income gap. The rich as in anywhere in this world tend to get richer, the poor get poorer, however the middle class are very few. Even amongst those middle class many do cry poverty. Lets be honest though, Greek consumer prices have skyrocketed with the advent of the Euro and are just really straight-out ridiculous. Every day items such as milk, gas, etc... are amongst the highest in the European Union. This however has not had any reverse effect on the "overall" quality of life. Working hours are still the Greek norm, and they do follow the 3 hours "siesta". Greeks are also first in the world at "going out to eat" whereas every Greek usually gather at the local square and have a coffee or they get together at the local taverna. When it comes down to having fun, the Greeks, regardless of wealth know how to do it. Pride and hospitality are numero "ena" 1 in Greece. Plus lets not forget, they invented the Frappe. How can the state of the country not be well off?

Answer 4

It is strange but we Greeks complain about our salaries and the increase of the prices in basic things,but we get out for food and drinks almost every night,including me,who take about 1000 E as salary.
We can be quite crazy behind the wheel and a foreign acquaintant of mine said "if you can pass the red light with such ease then you can do everything"(meaning bad,illegal things),but Greece remains one of the top countries in the world regarding to low criminality rate.
The architecture,except some few shiny examples,really does suck.In the 60's and 70's a lot of mistakes took place and a lot of tall ungly buildings since then created.
In the last decade steps have been made to create a touristic industry for the mainland and for the rest of the seasons also.I think that we have accomplished that.There are beautiful,wooden guesthouses in many woody mountains and I myself am an example for this one too,because I have visited guesthouses like these in Pelio, Kalavryta, Arahova , Serres ,Galaxidi and others, more times that I've been in the crowded islands.Thus I don't believe that the only reason for someone to visit Greece is the islands.
In generall,I believe that Greeks are very hospitable and proud people indeed and that we've left behind in some sectors is also true,but none of the Greeks would change Greece with nothing and most of the foreigners wouldn't like to leave when they visit it.

Answer 5

A lot of poverty and a lot of corruption on every level. If you come as a tourist, there is no problem (nice sightseeing, european prices, not much criminality, mainly friendly people and good nightlife), but if you live in the country the income is a joke, the cultural level is low and the taste of the people is unbelievable - the man made environment is so kitsch. Someone already said it, if we didn't have the islands, the country would not be worthwhile visiting.

Answer 6

Greece is a really neat country. Great Weather, Sights, Nightlife, Food, people are friendly, and the country as a whole is very tourist friendly.
I Cr 13;8

Answer 7

No better, no worse than 2500 years ago, although nor quite as prominent and totally lacking the geniuses of the ancient times.
Ti exeis Gianni-Ti'xa panta. . Any Greek is familiar with the aforementioned.

Answer 8

So behind comparing with other european countries...but this is the greek mentality.To liv without working so much and not to respect the laws..But I can assure you that we live better than the others

Answer 9

i think Johnny cee Answer is cool !.