Greece's economic resilience, driven by strategic reforms and robust sectors, presents compelling opportunities for B2B engagement, particularly in its key northern hub, Thessaloniki.
01
Section
The Big Picture
- Population (2023 Est.): 10.4 million
- GDP (2023 Est. Nominal): $220 billion USD
- GDP per Capita (2023 Est. Nominal): $21,000 USD
- GDP Growth (2023 YOY): 2.4%
- Inflation Rate (2023 Avg.): 4.3%
- Key Economic Drivers: Tourism, Shipping, Energy, Agriculture, Services
02
Section
Trade & Exports
- Total Exports (2023 Est.): $65 billion USD
- Key Export Categories: Petroleum products, Pharmaceuticals, Foodstuffs, Aluminum, Olive Oil
- Major Export Partners: Italy, Germany, Cyprus, Bulgaria, USA
- Total Imports (2023 Est.): $90 billion USD
- Main Import Categories: Machinery, Transport Equipment, Chemicals, Manufactured Goods
- Trade Balance (2023 Est.): -$25 billion USD
03
Section
Business Climate
- Corporate Tax Rate: 22% (reduced from 24%)
- Ease of Doing Business Rank (World Bank 2020, pre-pause): 79th out of 190 (Significant reforms ongoing aim for improvement)
- Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) Inflow (2023 Est.): $5 billion USD
- Corruption Perception Index (2023): Score of 49 (out of 100, 100 being very clean), indicating ongoing efforts for transparency.
- Labor Cost Competitiveness: Improving, particularly in skilled sectors, offering competitive operational expenses.
04
Section
Thessaloniki Specifics
- Population (Greater Urban Area): Approximately 1 million
- Strategic Location: Gateway to the Balkans and Southeast Europe, positioning it as a critical logistics and trade hub.
- Main Industries: Refined petroleum, Food & Beverages, Textiles, Metalworking, Logistics, Pharmaceutical production, ICT.
- Port of Thessaloniki (Container Throughput 2023 Est.): 450,000 TEUs, a vital entry point for regional trade.
- Thessaloniki International Airport (Annual Passengers 2023 Est.): 7 million, reflecting growing air connectivity and tourism.
- Special Economic Zones: Numerous industrial parks and free zones enhance investment attractiveness, particularly for manufacturing and distribution.
- Educational Hub: Home to Aristotle University, one of Southeast Europe's largest, feeding a skilled workforce into the regional economy, particularly in tech and research.