View Intelligence Dossier Back to 2006 CSV Excel Print All Years

Communications

Internet country code [time series]

.gr

Internet users (Internet hosts) [time series]

587,717 (2006)

Internet users [time series]

3.8 million (2005)

Broadcast media (Radio broadcast stations) [time series]

AM 26, FM 88, shortwave 4 (1998)

Telecommunication systems (Telephone system) [time series]

general assessment: adequate, modern networks reach all areas; good mobile telephone and international service domestic: microwave radio relay trunk system; extensive open-wire connections; submarine cable to offshore islands international: country code - 30; tropospheric scatter; 8 submarine cables; satellite earth stations - 2 Intelsat (1 Atlantic Ocean and 1 Indian Ocean), 1 Eutelsat, and 1 Inmarsat (Indian Ocean region)

Telephones - fixed lines (Telephones - main lines in use) [time series]

6.303 million (2005)

Telephones - mobile cellular [time series]

10.043 million (2005)

Broadcast media (Television broadcast stations) [time series]

36 (plus 1,341 low-power repeaters); also two stations in the US Armed Forces Radio and Television Service (1995)

Economy

Agricultural products (Agriculture - products) [time series]

wheat, corn, barley, sugar beets, olives, tomatoes, wine, tobacco, potatoes; beef, dairy products

Budget [time series]

revenues: $94.13 billion expenditures: $103.4 billion; including capital expenditures of $NA (2005 est.)

Exchange rates (Currency (code)) [time series]

euro (EUR) note: on 1 January 1999, the European Monetary Union introduced the euro as a common currency to be used by financial institutions of member countries; on 1 January 2002, the euro became the sole currency for everyday transactions within the member countries

Current account balance [time series]

$-17.86 billion (2005 est.)

Debt - external [time series]

$75.18 billion (2005 est.)

Gini Index coefficient - distribution of family income (Distribution of family income - Gini index) [time series]

35.1 (2003)

Economic aid (Economic aid - recipient) [time series]

$8 billion from EU (2000-06)

Economic overview (Economy - overview) [time series]

Greece has a capitalist economy with the public sector accounting for about 40% of GDP and with per capita GDP at least 75% of the leading euro-zone economies. Tourism provides 15% of GDP. Immigrants make up nearly one-fifth of the work force, mainly in menial jobs. Greece is a major beneficiary of EU aid, equal to about 3.3% of annual GDP. The Greek economy grew by about 4.0% for the between 2003 and 2005, largely because of an investment boom and infrastructure upgrades for the 2004 Athens Olympic Games. Economic growth slowed to about 3% in 2005. Greece has not met the EU's Growth and Stability Pact budget deficit criteria of 3% of GDP since 2000. Public debt, inflation, and unemployment are above the euro-zone average. To overcome these challenges, the Greek Government is expected to continue cutting government spending, reducing the size of the public sector, and reforming the labor and pension systems.

Electricity - consumption [time series]

53.5 billion kWh (2005 est.)

Electricity - exports [time series]

2.1 billion kWh (2002)

Electricity - imports [time series]

4.2 billion kWh (2002)

Electricity - production [time series]

54.56 billion kWh (2003)

Exchange rates [time series]

euros per US dollar - 0.8041 (2005), 0.8054 (2004), 0.886 (2003), 1.0626 (2002), 1.1175 (2001)

Exports [time series]

$18.54 billion f.o.b. (2005 est.)

Exports - commodities [time series]

food and beverages, manufactured goods, petroleum products, chemicals, textiles

Exports - partners [time series]

Germany 12.4%, Italy 10.4%, UK 6.7%, Bulgaria 5.9%, US 5.3%, Cyprus 5.2%, Turkey 5.1%, France 4.2% (2005)

Fiscal year [time series]

calendar year

GDP (official exchange rate) [time series]

$209.7 billion (2005 est.)

Real GDP (purchasing power parity) (GDP (purchasing power parity)) [time series]

$238.2 billion (2005 est.)

GDP - composition, by sector of origin (GDP - composition by sector) [time series]

agriculture: 5.4% industry: 21.3% services: 73.3% (2005 est.)

Real GDP per capita (GDP - per capita (PPP)) [time series]

$22,300 (2005 est.)

Real GDP growth rate (GDP - real growth rate) [time series]

3.7% (2005 est.)

Household income or consumption by percentage share [time series]

lowest 10%: 3% highest 10%: 28.3% (1998 est.)

Imports [time series]

$48.2 billion f.o.b. (2005 est.)

Imports - commodities [time series]

machinery, transport equipment, fuels, chemicals

Imports - partners [time series]

Germany 12.7%, Italy 12.4%, Russia 7.8%, France 5.7%, Netherlands 5.5%, Saudi Arabia 4.1% (2005)

Industrial production growth rate [time series]

-0.3% (2005 est.)

Industries [time series]

tourism, food and tobacco processing, textiles, chemicals, metal products; mining, petroleum

Inflation rate (consumer prices) [time series]

3.5% (2005 est.)

Investment (gross fixed) [time series]

24.6% of GDP (2005 est.)

Labor force [time series]

4.72 million (2005 est.)

Labor force - by occupation [time series]

agriculture: 12% industry: 20% services: 68% (2004 est.)

Natural gas - consumption [time series]

2.34 billion cu m (2005 est.)

Natural gas - exports [time series]

0 cu m (2001 est.)

Natural gas - imports [time series]

2.018 billion cu m (2001 est.)

Natural gas - production [time series]

27 million cu m (2003 est.)

Natural gas - proved reserves [time series]

991.1 million cu m (1 January 2002)

Oil - consumption [time series]

435,700 bbl/day (2005 est.)

Oil - exports [time series]

84,720 bbl/day (2001)

Oil - imports [time series]

468,300 bbl/day (2001)

Oil - production [time series]

5,805 bbl/day (2003 est.)

Oil - proved reserves [time series]

4.5 million bbl (1 January 2002)

Population below poverty line [time series]

NA%

Public debt [time series]

106.8% of GDP (2005 est.)

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold [time series]

$2.287 billion (2005 est.)

Unemployment rate [time series]

9.9% (2005 est.)

Geography

Area [time series]

total: 131,940 sq km land: 130,800 sq km water: 1,140 sq km

Area - comparative [time series]

slightly smaller than Alabama

Climate [time series]

temperate; mild, wet winters; hot, dry summers

Coastline [time series]

13,676 km

Elevation (Elevation extremes) [time series]

lowest point: Mediterranean Sea 0 m highest point: Mount Olympus 2,917 m

Environment - current issues [time series]

air pollution; water pollution

International environmental agreements (Environment - international agreements) [time series]

party to: Air Pollution, Air Pollution-Nitrogen Oxides, Air Pollution-Sulfur 94, Antarctic-Environmental Protocol, Antarctic-Marine Living Resources, Antarctic Treaty, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94, Wetlands signed, but not ratified: Air Pollution-Persistent Organic Pollutants, Air Pollution-Volatile Organic Compounds

Geographic coordinates [time series]

39 00 N, 22 00 E

Geography - note [time series]

strategic location dominating the Aegean Sea and southern approach to Turkish Straits; a peninsular country, possessing an archipelago of about 2,000 islands

Irrigated land [time series]

14,530 sq km (2003)

Land boundaries [time series]

total: 1,228 km border countries: Albania 282 km, Bulgaria 494 km, Turkey 206 km, Macedonia 246 km

Land use [time series]

arable land: 20.45% permanent crops: 8.59% other: 70.96% (2005)

Location [time series]

Southern Europe, bordering the Aegean Sea, Ionian Sea, and the Mediterranean Sea, between Albania and Turkey

Map references [time series]

Europe

Maritime claims [time series]

territorial sea: 12 nm continental shelf: 200-m depth or to the depth of exploitation

Natural hazards [time series]

severe earthquakes

Natural resources [time series]

lignite, petroleum, iron ore, bauxite, lead, zinc, nickel, magnesite, marble, salt, hydropower potential

Terrain [time series]

mostly mountains with ranges extending into the sea as peninsulas or chains of islands

Government

Administrative divisions [time series]

51 prefectures (nomoi, singular - nomos) and 1 autonomous region*; Achaia, Agion Oros* (Mt. Athos), Aitolia kai Akarnania, Argolis, Arkadia, Arta, Attiki, Chalkidiki, Chanion, Chios, Dodekanisos, Drama, Evros, Evrytania, Evvoia, Florina, Fokidos, Fthiotis, Grevena, Ileia, Imathia, Ioannina, Irakleion, Karditsa, Kastoria, Kavala, Kefallinia, Kerkyra, Kilkis, Korinthia, Kozani, Kyklades, Lakonia, Larisa, Lasithi, Lefkas, Lesvos, Magnisia, Messinia, Pella, Pieria, Preveza, Rethynnis, Rodopi, Samos, Serrai, Thesprotia, Thessaloniki, Trikala, Voiotia, Xanthi, Zakynthos

Capital [time series]

name: Athens geographic coordinates: 37 59 N, 23 44 E time difference: UTC+2 (7 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time) daylight saving time: +1hr, begins last Sunday in March; ends last Sunday in October

Constitution [time series]

11 June 1975; amended March 1986 and April 2001

Country name [time series]

conventional long form: Hellenic Republic conventional short form: Greece local long form: Elliniki Dhimokratia local short form: Ellas or Ellada former: Kingdom of Greece

Diplomatic representation from the US [time series]

chief of mission: Ambassador Charles P. RIES embassy: 91 Vasilisis Sophias Avenue, 10160 Athens mailing address: PSC 108, APO AE 09842-0108 telephone: [30] (210) 721-2951 FAX: [30] (210) 645-6282 consulate(s) general: Thessaloniki

Diplomatic representation in the US [time series]

chief of mission: Ambassador Alexandros P. MALLIAS chancery: 2221 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: [1] (202) 939-1300 FAX: [1] (202) 939-1324 consulate(s) general: Boston, Chicago, Los Angeles, New York, San Francisco, Tampa consulate(s): Atlanta, Houston, New Orleans

Executive branch [time series]

chief of state: President Karolos PAPOULIAS (since 12 March 2005) head of government: Prime Minister Konstandinos (Kostas) KARAMANLIS (since 7 March 2004) cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the president on the recommendation of the prime minister elections: president elected by parliament for a five-year term (eligible for a second term); election last held 8 February 2005 (next to be held by February 2010); according to the Greek Constitution, presidents may only serve two terms; president appoints leader of the party securing plurality of vote in election to become prime minister and form a government election results: Karolos PAPOULIAS elected president; number of parlimentary votes, 279 out of 300

Flag (Flag description) [time series]

nine equal horizontal stripes of blue alternating with white; there is a blue square in the upper hoist-side corner bearing a white cross; the cross symbolizes Greek Orthodoxy, the established religion of the country

Government type [time series]

parliamentary republic

Independence [time series]

1829 (from the Ottoman Empire)

International organization participation [time series]

Australia Group, BIS, BSEC, CE, CERN, EAPC, EBRD, EIB, EMU, EU, FAO, G- 6, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICCt, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IEA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITU, MIGA, MINURSO, NAM (guest), NATO, NEA, NSG, OAS (observer), OECD, OIF, OPCW, OSCE, PCA, SECI, UN, UN Security Council (temporary), UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNMEE, UNMIS, UNOMIG, UPU, WCO, WEU, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTO, ZC

Judicial branch [time series]

Supreme Judicial Court; Special Supreme Tribunal; all judges appointed for life by the president after consultation with a judicial council

Legal system [time series]

based on codified Roman law; judiciary divided into civil, criminal, and administrative courts; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction, with reservations

Legislative branch [time series]

unicameral Parliament or Vouli ton Ellinon (300 seats; members are elected by direct popular vote to serve four-year terms) elections: elections last held 7 March 2004 (next to be held by March 2008) election results: percent of vote by party - ND 45.4%, PASOK 40.6%, KKE 5.9%, Synaspismos 3.3%; seats by party - ND 165, PASOK 117, KKE 12, Synaspismos 6

National holiday [time series]

Independence Day, 25 March (1821)

Political parties (Political parties and leaders) [time series]

Coalition of the Left and Progress (Synaspismos) [Alekos ALAVANOS]; Communist Party of Greece or KKE [Aleka PAPARIGA]; New Democracy or ND (conservative) [Konstandinos KARAMANLIS]; Panhellenic Socialist Movement or PASOK [Yiorgos PAPANDREOU]; Popular Orthodox Rally or LAOS [Yeoryios KARATZAFERIS]

Political parties (Political pressure groups and leaders) [time series]

General Confederation of Greek Workers or GSEE [Khristos POLYZOGOPOULOS]; Federation of Greek Industries or SEV [Odysseas KYRIAKOPOULOS]; Civil Servants Confederation or ADEDY [Spyros PAPASPYROS]

Suffrage [time series]

18 years of age; universal and compulsory

Introduction

Background [time series]

Greece achieved independence from the Ottoman Empire in 1829. During the second half of the 19th century and the first half of the 20th century, it gradually added neighboring islands and territories, most with Greek-speaking populations. In World War II, Greece was first invaded by Italy (1940) and subsequently occupied by Germany (1941-44); fighting endured in a protracted civil war between supporters of the king and Communist rebels. Following the latter's defeat in 1949, Greece joined NATO in 1952. A military dictatorship, which in 1967 suspended many political liberties and forced the king to flee the country, lasted seven years. The 1974 democratic elections and a referendum created a parliamentary republic and abolished the monarchy. In 1981 Greece joined the EC (now the EU); it became the 12th member of the euro zone in 2001.

Military

Manpower available for military service [time series]

males age 18-49: 2,459,988 females age 18-49: 2,442,818 (2005 est.)

Manpower fit for military service [time series]

males age 18-49: 2,018,557 females age 18-49: 2,000,650 (2005 est.)

Manpower reaching military service age annually [time series]

males age 18-49: 58,399 females age 18-49: 55,571 (2005 est.)

Military and security forces (Military branches) [time series]

Hellenic Army (Ellinikos Stratos, ES), Hellenic Navy (Ellinikos Polemiko Navtiko, EPN), Hellenic Air Force (Elliniki Polimiki Aeroporia, EPA) (2006)

Military expenditures (Military expenditures - percent of GDP) [time series]

4.3% (2003)

Military service age and obligation [time series]

18 years of age for compulsory military service; during wartime the law allows for recruitment beginning January of the year of inductee's 18th birthday, thus including 17 year olds; 17 years of age for volunteers; conscript service obligation - 12 months for the Army, Air Force; 15 months for Navy; women are eligible for military service (2005)

People

Age structure [time series]

0-14 years: 14.3% (male 790,291/female 742,902) 15-64 years: 66.7% (male 3,562,251/female 3,566,097) 65 years and over: 19% (male 891,620/female 1,134,897) (2006 est.)

Birth rate [time series]

9.68 births/1,000 population (2006 est.)

Death rate [time series]

10.24 deaths/1,000 population (2006 est.)

Ethnic groups [time series]

Greek 98%, Turkish and other 2% note: the Greek Government states there are no ethnic divisions in Greece

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate [time series]

0.2% (2001 est.)

HIV/AIDS - deaths [time series]

less than 100 (2003 est.)

HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS [time series]

9,100 (2001 est.)

Infant mortality rate [time series]

total: 5.43 deaths/1,000 live births male: 5.97 deaths/1,000 live births female: 4.86 deaths/1,000 live births (2006 est.)

Languages [time series]

Greek 99% (official), English, French

Life expectancy at birth [time series]

total population: 79.24 years male: 76.72 years female: 81.91 years (2006 est.)

Literacy [time series]

definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 97.5% male: 98.6% female: 96.5% (2003 est.)

Median age [time series]

total: 40.8 years male: 39.7 years female: 42 years (2006 est.)

Nationality [time series]

noun: Greek(s) adjective: Greek

Net migration rate [time series]

2.34 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2006 est.)

People - note [time series]

women, men, and children are trafficked to and within Greece for the purposes of sexual exploitation and forced labor

Population [time series]

10,688,058 (July 2006 est.)

Population growth rate [time series]

0.18% (2006 est.)

Religions [time series]

Greek Orthodox 98%, Muslim 1.3%, other 0.7%

Sex ratio [time series]

at birth: 1.06 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.06 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.79 male(s)/female total population: 0.96 male(s)/female (2006 est.)

Total fertility rate [time series]

1.34 children born/woman (2006 est.)

Transnational Issues

Disputes - international [time series]

Greece and Turkey continue discussions to resolve their complex maritime, air, territorial, and boundary disputes in the Aegean Sea; Cyprus question with Turkey; Greece rejects the use of the name Macedonia or Republic of Macedonia

Illicit drugs [time series]

a gateway to Europe for traffickers smuggling cannabis and heroin from the Middle East and Southwest Asia to the West and precursor chemicals to the East; some South American cocaine transits or is consumed in Greece; money laundering related to drug trafficking and organized crime

Transportation

Airports [time series]

82 (2006)

Airports - with paved runways [time series]

total: 66 over 3,047 m: 5 2,438 to 3,047 m: 16 1,524 to 2,437 m: 19 914 to 1,523 m: 17 under 914 m: 9 (2006)

Airports - with unpaved runways [time series]

total: 16 914 to 1,523 m: 3 under 914 m: 13 (2006)

Heliports [time series]

8 (2006)

Merchant marine [time series]

total: 817 ships (1000 GRT or over) 31,895,832 GRT/54,341,584 DWT by type: bulk carrier 270, cargo 61, chemical tanker 47, container 47, liquefied gas 5, passenger 11, passenger/cargo 114, petroleum tanker 244, roll on/roll off 17, specialized tanker 1 foreign-owned: 24 (Belgium 12, Cyprus 1, Hong Kong 1, UK 9, US 1) registered in other countries: 2,363 (Bahamas 232, Barbados 11, Belgium 4, Belize 2, Bermuda 2, Cambodia 8, Cayman Islands 21, Comoros 10, Cyprus 337, Denmark 5, Dominica 5, Egypt 6, Georgia 8, Gibraltar 7, Honduras 3, Hong Kong 27, Isle of Man 45, Italy 6, Jamaica 6, North Korea 1, Lebanon 3, Liberia 267, Malta 495, Marshall Islands 199, Norway 1, Panama 524, Philippines 5, Portugal 4, Russia 1, Saint Kitts and Nevis 1, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines 82, Sao Tome and Principe 1, Singapore 9, Slovakia 4, UAE 2, UK 7, Uruguay 1, US 1, Venezuela 3, unknown 7) (2006)

Pipelines [time series]

gas 1,166 km; oil 94 km (2006)

Ports (Ports and terminals) [time series]

Agioitheodoroi, Aspropyrgos, Irakleion, Pachi, Piraeus, Thessaloniki

Railways [time series]

total: 2,571 km standard gauge: 1,565 km 1.435-m gauge (764 km electrified) narrow gauge: 961 km 1.000-m gauge; 22 km 0.750-m gauge dual gauge: 23 km combined 1.435 m and 1.000-m gauges (three rail system) (2005)

Roadways [time series]

total: 116,470 km paved: 106,920 km (including 880 km of expressways) unpaved: 9,550 km (1999)

Waterways [time series]

6 km note: Corinth Canal (6 km) crosses the Isthmus of Corinth; shortens sea voyage by 325 km (2006)