MacroPolis

Volunteers try to fill void left by retreating Greek state

By: Nick Malkoutzis

One of the most worrying aspects of the crisis has been that the financial constraints on the state and its ever-decreasing role in a number of areas, such as social welfare, healthcare and urban services. This has left thousands of Greeks directly exposed to some of the worst effects of the recession.

Risk of poverty in Greece rising to alarming levels

Almost one in three Greeks are living at risk of poverty – well above the European Union average and the highest proportion in the eurozone – according to figures published this week by Eurostat.

What do Greeks fear most? The lack of justice

What do Greeks fear most? Given developments over the past few years, one would expect poverty, unemployment or the prospect of more troika-dictated austerity measures to top the list. But a new poll has made a surprising finding: Greeks fear the last of justice above all.

Rising clinical depression hints at hidden side of Greek crisis

The proportion of Greeks suffering from major depression has increased substantially since 2011 and is several times higher than pre-crisis levels, according to a new study by the University of Athens.

The social and economic conditions that helped Golden Dawn flourish

While there are other reasons, especially in the political sphere, for Golden Dawn’s remarkable rise, the deterioration of Greece’s socioeconomic foundations cannot be ignored. The plummeting quality of life for thousands of Greeks provided ample fodder for the neofascist party to spread its populist and hate-filled message.

Racism in Greece is getting worse and authorities are to blame, damning report suggests

There has been a significant rise in racist attacks since the 2012 general elections, when Golden Dawn entered Parliament, and it has been exacerbated by authorities’ failure to react, the Greek Ombudsman said in a damning report delivered to MPs on Wednesday.

Murder the result of Golden Dawn acting with impunity and targeting working class neighbourhoods

As tragic as the murder of 34-year-old hip-hop artist Pavlos Fyssas - known as Killah P - was, it hardly came as a surprise after months of neofascist Golden Dawn stepping up its presence on Greek streets and becoming emboldened by authorities’ reluctance to address its violent behaviour decisively.

Births drop 14 pct since start of crisis as Greece faces wider population worries

The number of children born in Greece fell by more than 14 percent between 2009, when the country began to feel the impact of its economic crisis, and last year.

Underlining stress on Greek society, suicide rate doubled in first years of economic crisis

Data released ahead of World Suicide Prevention Day showed that suicides doubled between 2009 and 2011. The number of deaths by suicide rose from 2.5 per 100,000 of the population before 2009 to over five per 100,000, or 1,245 during the three-year period.

It’s not just young Greeks who are looking abroad, older professionals have joined the queue

With six out of 10 young Greeks looking for work unable to find any, it is no surprise that stories of graduates and teenagers leaving the country are commonplace. What goes less noticed, though, is that there are quite a few over 25s now seeking to continue their careers abroad.