MacroPolis

Most popular society articles of 2013

Here are our three most popular articles from the society section in 2013. For those who have already read them, a big thank you from the Macropolis team. For those reading them for the first time, we hope it gives you an idea of what we do.

As EU presidency approaches, poll suggests Greeks are most isolated within Union

Greece is due to take over the six-month rotating presidency of the European Union on January 1 but just days before it does so a new poll has suggested that of the citizens in all 28 member states Greeks feel least confident about the Union’s future and are the most detached from the bloc.

One in four Greeks in severe material deprivation; a eurozone outlier

Greece has the sixth highest rate of severe material deprivation among 30 European countries, with the lack of access to basics rising substantially for almost all age groups last year, according to new data from the Hellenic Statistical Authority (ELSTAT).

For Greek families, electricity goes from given to must for survival

It is another sign of the way the Greek crisis has evolved over the last few years that for families in a developed country that is part of the eurozone electricity has turned into a much cherished commodity rather than a given.

Percentage of people in Greece at risk of poverty rises, tops EU list

The percentage of people living in Greece who are at risk of poverty rose substantially last year and almost a quarter of the country's population now falls into that category, which is the highest proportion in the European Union.

Newfound variety helps Greek winemakers enjoy exports boost

By: Nick Malkoutzis

One of the aims of Greece’s adjustment program has been to make the country more competitive, with a particular view towards boosting its exports. The main tool for this exercise has been the policy of internal devaluation, which has seen wages drop substantially.

Greeks not self-inflicting HIV but new cases have been rising markedly

The claim seemed absurd from the start and the World Health Organisation (WHO) confirmed on Tuesday that it had made an error in one of its reports, which stated that half of new HIV infections in Greece were “self-inflicted” so sufferers could claim state benefits.

Greece leads way in cutting spending on healthcare, finds OECD

Greece made the biggest reduction in its healthcare budget of any OECD country between 2009 and 2011, cutting spending by more than 11 percent, according to a report published on Thursday.

Seven in 10 Greeks raiding savings to pay bills, two in 10 have no deposits

Seven in 10 Greeks are raiding their savings in order to make ends meet, while two in 10 say they have no deposits at all, according to a new survey by Public Issue.

Nobody has less confidence in their government than the Greeks, OECD finds

The Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) has published its annual Government at a Glance report for 2013. The study includes some interesting data on Greece, particularly with regard to people’s plummeting trust in decision makers.