Survey: 45% of young Greek migrants living abroad want to return back home
A new survey from KAPPA Research in Athens involving 3,000 young Greeks who are living in Greece (2,007 people) and in 34 countries abroad (1,033 people), has revealed their views on immigration, Greece’s political system and the economic crisis following eight years of austerity measures.
A similar survey was carried out in 2010, just one month after Greece’s application of the first Memorandum, allowing for an interesting comparison in the trending opinions amongst the younger generation.
The survey showed that the principal feeling among young people that live in Greece in 2018 is disappointment at 34 per cent. Despite this however, it is an improvement on 2010 when the figure stood at 43 per cent. On the contrary, young Greek immigrants claimed to mostly feel calm (38 per cent), while only eight per cent of them feel disappointment.
Almost the same percentage of Greek residents (23 per cent) and Greek immigrants (22 per cent) noted that they mostly feel fatigue during this period of their lives, which marks an increase of seven per cent after eight years of austerity.
Among Greek residents, an important decrease was observed in those who experience fear from 16 per cent in 2010 to six per cent in 2018. However, only three per cent of young immigrants stated fear as the sovereign emotion in their lives.
Less pessimism for the future
When asked which word best characterises the future of the country, the most common answer was “stagnation” among 32 per cent of young Greek residents and 37 per cent of young Greek immigrants. A significant decline was observed in the word “crisis” however, from 46 per cent in 2010 to 29 per cent in 2018, and 32 per cent among immigrants. At the same time, “hope” boosted from 15 per cent in 2010 to 23 per cent in 2018, and 20 per cent among immigrants.
Generally, when asked if they have faith in Greece, 57 per cent of its residents responded “yes” or “probably yes” – a significant increase compared to 36 per cent in 2010 – while 40 per cent of young Greek immigrants agreed with them. Finally, 38 per cent of Greek residents and 37 per cent of young immigrants believe today that the worst part of the crisis has already passed.
Fewer people want to leave Greece
In the survey conducted in 2010, an impressive 74 per cent stated that they would leave Greece if they had the chance. Eight years later, and after hundreds of thousands of Greeks in fact migrated abroad, only 39 per cent of those left behind said they would still consider leaving, while 50 per cent insist they wouldn’t.
The most crucial motives for young people leaving Greece seems to be based on a better quality of life (56 per cent), followed by a better career (43 per cent), meritocracy (30 per cent), higher quality state services (22 per cent), and continuing their studies (15 per cent).
On the other hand, those who prefer to stay put in Greece said they would not be able to live away from their home, family and friends (59 per cent), they have no interest in living abroad (50 per cent) and they could not stand to live in another climate (18 per cent).
Foreign lands and nostalgia
The young Greeks that now live abroad revealed that they really miss their family (60 per cent), their friends (37 per cent), and the Greek weather (26 per cent). Most of them stated that they often feel like they are missing out on important moments with their loved ones (69 per cent) and often feel nostalgic (53 per cent), despite 63 per cent of them visiting Greece two or more times per year.
As the survey suggests, the chief reasons for migrating were the lack of meritocracy in Greece (40 per cent), the general attitude (38 per cent), and corruption (33 per cent).
As for the most significant incentives to return home, a job with corresponding earnings and prospects ranked highest at 49 per cent followed closely by an improved economy (44 per cent), the need to be close to family and friends (38 per cent), and the climate/natural environment of Greece (24 per cent). Only 20 per cent of migrants said they did not intend to return.
Meanwhile, 43 per cent of those working abroad unveiled that they provide financial assistance to their families in Greece, 38 per cent said they do not maintain economic relations, while only five per cent receive help from Greece without contributing.
Political system and vote
Irrespective of their place of residence, young Greeks do not trust Greece’s political parties in 2018, although the situation has improved since 2010.
It is indicative that 95 per cent of young Greek immigrants (and 92 per cent of Greek residents) believe there is still a lot of corruption in the country’s public life, and 90 per cent of them (85 per cent of Greek residents) believe that the parties are only interested in receiving votes rather than representing the views of Greek citizens. As for what they think of the Greek state, corruption, lack of meritocracy, spoils, and a big waste of money are the most popular answers.
The majority of those surveyed (52 per cent of immigrants and 40 per cent of Greek residents) argue that no political party represents the country’s youth, while in 2010 72 per cent believed the same. Among the political parties, Syriza is ahead (19 per cent of Greek residents and 16 per cent of immigrants), followed by New Democracy (13 per cent of Greek residents and 10 per cent of immigrants).
An overwhelming percentage of Greek immigrants supports the right to vote remotely in the Greek elections (87 per cent). Among them, 53 per cent prefer to vote in person at embassies or consulates, while 40 per cent are in favour of remote voting via mail. Moreover, 41 per cent of young Greek immigrants say they have never returned to Greece to vote in national, European or local elections until today, while only 14 per cent were present in every election since migrating.
On a final note, 52 per cent of young Greeks that live abroad would support a party formed by Greek immigrants, which would represent the interests and views of those who recently left the country.
Read more at neoskosmos
RELATED TOPICS: Greece, Greek tourism news, Tourism in Greece, Greek islands, Hotels in Greece, Travel to Greece, Greek destinations , Greek travel market, Greek tourism statistics, Greek tourism report
- 1) Development Minister: We continue the battle against high prices in Greece
- 2) Greek Migration Minister visits refugee hosting facilities in Kavala, Drama and Serres
- 3) No new intubations for Covid-19 recorded in Greece for the first time
- 4) Greek PM at Athens supermarket: Consumers 'can already see lower prices on the shelf'
26/03 23:51
St. Thomas Hellenic School honors 1821 and the Feast of the Annunciation in NJ
26/03 21:59
PM at Economic Club of Canada: Greece is an attractive investment destination
26/03 17:56
Greek State budget primary balance reaches a surplus of 3,378 million euros
26/03 11:45
Ancient Messene to get upgraded visitors' facilities after approval by Council
23/03 17:43
New requirements for 'Golden Visa' program to kick in on March 31
23/03 16:49
Athenians continue to head out of the Greek Capital for March 25 long weekend
23/03 16:47
Greek Parliament lights to be turned off for Earth Hour 8:30-9:30 pm
22/03 21:54
US President on Greek Independence Day: Alliance with Greece stronger than ever
22/03 19:51
High diplomacy and geopolitics at Delphi Economic Forum IX in Greece
22/03 19:32
Tax authorities enable payments with foreign bank cards in Greece
22/03 14:19
22/03 00:24
Greece ranks first on list of countries with fastest business environment progress
22/03 00:02
Hellenic Police acquires first electric VAN-type highway patrol vehicle
21/03 22:41
21/03 15:33
Unseen Museum presents "The stele of the twin babies" exhibition in Athens
20/03 22:48
Health Minister: 95% of Greek hospitals to perform afternoon surgeries
20/03 21:52
Greek Deputy Minister of Justice meets delegation from US Embassy in Athens
20/03 21:44
Greek Interior Minister to visit United States and Canada on postal vote
20/03 20:55
Philadelphia Icarians mark 85th Anniversary and organize Apokriatiko Dance
20/03 18:01
Development Minister: We continue the battle against high prices in Greece
19/03 22:28
President of the Hellenic Republic meets her Ethiopian counterpart in Athens
19/03 20:57
19/03 20:25
FinMIn: Moody’s analysis records significant progress in the Greek economy
19/03 11:15
Sector chiefs report: Good news for Greek tourism in 2024 at ITB Berlin
18/03 22:20
American Hellenic Educational Progressive Association honors Past Supreme President
16/03 13:01
Greek Deputy Foreign Μinister meets her Slovenian counterpart in Athens
16/03 12:56
Greek-Canadian Diaspora to welcome Greek Prime Minister to Toronto
16/03 11:28
Greek Migration Minister visits refugee hosting facilities in Kavala, Drama and Serres
15/03 21:50
Greek Minister announces conference on defence ecosystem in Athens from Lithuania
15/03 13:45
PM: More than 80 hospitals and 156 health centres being upgraded in Greece
15/03 12:55
Piraeus Port and Genoa Chambers of Commerce ink memorandum of cooperation
14/03 23:43
President of Hellenic Republic meets Prime Minister of Slovakia in Bratislava
14/03 22:58
American Express report highlights Global Travel Trends during 2024
14/03 22:52
Four hospitals in Attica Region already organizing afternoon surgical procedures
14/03 22:49
US Ambassador to Athens: More flights from the United States to Greece and Thessaloniki
14/03 22:43
Greek archaeologists discover ten ancient shipwrecks off Aegean island of Kasos
14/03 19:32
No new intubations for Covid-19 recorded in Greece for the first time
14/03 18:36
Extra road safety measures adopted for Greek pre-lent carnival and Clean Monday
14/03 14:48
14/03 12:54
Electric buses to be deployed on the streets of Athens and Thessaloniki by May
13/03 22:23
13/03 20:11
Prices of basic lenten products either lower or equal to last year's in Greece
13/03 19:15
US Ambassador to Athens: Greece secures NATO readiness via Alexandroupolis
13/03 17:19
13/03 12:26
Greece shows new costumes for revamped Olympic Flame-lighting ceremony
12/03 22:46
Epirotes Society of Philadelphia ‘Omonia’ organized 16th Annual ‘Tsipourovradia’
12/03 21:38
The President of the Hellenic Republic to visit Slovakia on March 13-15
12/03 20:29
First afternoon surgeries in Greece kick off at Papageorgiou Hospital in Thessaloniki
11/03 23:58
Greek Foreign Minister: We stand behind Montenegro's European perspective
11/03 23:47
Visa Express for Turkish citizens to commence on five Greek islands in March
11/03 19:40
11/03 18:49
Microsoft Data Center construction kicks off in Spata next to Athens Airport
11/03 17:53
Dodecanese Federation marked 76th Anniversary of Unification with Greece
09/03 22:23
08/03 14:27
Prime Minister: Radical change in Greek education and a brave reform for growth
08/03 14:24
Traffic restrictions expected in Athens mid-morning to evening on Friday due to protests
08/03 14:24
Applications to out-of-court settlement more than doubled in Greece in February
08/03 13:18
Metro station 'Maniatika' near Piraeus Port to be closed on Saturday and Sunday
07/03 14:12
Athens wins World Travel Award 2024 as the top city-break destination in Europe
06/03 22:51
WTTC data show Greece and Portugal lead league for growth in tourist arrivals
06/03 20:28
Greek Tourism Minister at ITB: 2024 will be another excellent year for sector
06/03 19:47
Greek Foreign Minister to meet UAE Minister of Industry and Technology on Friday
06/03 18:43
European Union actions of 274m euros to support cultural heritage in Greece
06/03 16:37
'Odontotos' rack railway temporarily stopped until landslides issue is resolved
06/03 14:40
Minister: Bringing about the return of Greeks abroad 'a moral duty'
05/03 14:28
Archdiocese of America Eparchial Synod to meet on March 14-17 in Florida
05/03 14:21
05/03 14:11
ITB BERLIN 2024 opens with excellent bookings after global rise in travel in 2023
05/03 12:24
Greek PM at Athens supermarket: Consumers 'can already see lower prices on the shelf'
04/03 22:02
Greek Health Minister: Afternoon surgeries at state hospitals to begin shortly
04/03 21:47
Holy Cross Greek Orthodox Whitestone Community marks 49th Anniversary
04/03 20:27
Labor chief: Greece to train 500,000 workers in digital, green skills by 2025
04/03 19:44
Foreign Ministry to organize event on 'Women, Peace, and Security' on Friday
04/03 15:12
Athens Riviera | The summer experience with Athens as a background
29/02 22:54
Consumers to see price cuts up to 18.1% in 3,000 Greek supermarket products as of Friday
29/02 21:44
Greece and Germany set up Working Group on shipping cooperation
29/02 21:30
Wyndham Rewards’ Member Month offers 5 weeks of deals, discounts, and bonus points
29/02 21:03
Temple of Poseidon at Sounion near Athens to get new lighting system
29/02 21:02
29/02 20:47
Greece is represented by 60 firms at GULFOOD 2024 exhibition
29/02 19:58
Greek government gives 1+1 month extension for cash register-integrated POS terminals
29/02 19:49
Archangel Michael Church Dance Program shines at Folk Dance Festival in SF
29/02 15:39
'Renovate-rent' programme to be launched, Minister tells Greek Parliament
29/02 12:39
Rio-Antirrio ferry line in central Greece closed due to strong winds
28/02 21:34
Weather with heavy rain and storms in Greece as of Sunday night
28/02 17:31
CEO: The goal is for PPC to become a leading player in Southeast Europe
28/02 17:04
New Wyndham Hotels Market Managing Director of Central and Eastern Europe
28/02 12:21
Minister: Transactions with the Greek State will be further simplified in 2024
28/02 11:57
27/02 17:25
UN Tourism hails Saudi Arabia's historic milestone of 100 million tourists
27/02 15:00
Greek Prime Minister: Relations with Armenia can become even more productive
27/02 14:26
Wyndham: New growth cycle in Greece for the largest hotel chain franchise in the world
27/02 13:15
Price cuts of up to 15% in important product categories in Greece after March 1
27/02 12:46
Athens taxi drivers' protest rally in progress from Athinon avenue to Messogion
26/02 18:30
Annual Summit of Women Political Leaders (WPL) to be held in Athens in April
26/02 18:27
Culture Ministry: Schwartz Mansion in Ampelakia near Larisa to get new lighting
26/02 17:25
Greek president organizes reception for diplomats at Presidential Mansion
26/02 16:33
Trapped rack-railway passengers returned safely to Diakopto in Peloponnese
26/02 16:21
Public transport, ferry and taxi strikes in Athens on Wednesday
25/02 12:30
Greek island of Ikaria among the Blue Zones for Health Eating and Longevity
Greek State budget primary balance reaches a surplus of 3,378 million euros
PM at Economic Club of Canada: Greece is an attractive investment destination
New requirements for 'Golden Visa' program to kick in on March 31
Greek Parliament lights to be turned off for Earth Hour 8:30-9:30 pm
Ancient Messene to get upgraded visitors' facilities after approval by Council
St. Thomas Hellenic School honors 1821 and the Feast of the Annunciation in NJ
Athenians continue to head out of the Greek Capital for March 25 long weekend
High diplomacy and geopolitics at Delphi Economic Forum IX in Greece
US President on Greek Independence Day: Alliance with Greece stronger than ever
Tax authorities enable payments with foreign bank cards in Greece
Greek Deputy Transport Minister flies in first test seaplane flight from Lavrio port
Athens streets reopen after private university protest rally and minor incidents
3-year stay and work permits approved for 30,000 undocumented migrants in Greece
Minister: Greece to support Bulgaria and Romania in joining the Schengen zone
Ski resort on Mt. Pelion of central Greece in full operation
AEGEAN concludes transfer of stake in Animawings to Memento Group
Greece ranks first on list of countries with fastest business environment progress
Sector chiefs report: Good news for Greek tourism in 2024 at ITB Berlin
Sailing from ports of Piraeus and Lavrio back to normal after high-velocity winds end
Greek president organizes reception for diplomats at Presidential Mansion
Foreign Ministers: Cooperation between Greece & Egypt should 'serve as an example'
Holiday opening hours for shops resume in Greece on Wednesday
Greek Prime Minister to meet Bulgarian counterpart at Maximos Mansion