By Nikos Bellos
Poverty, based on Europe’s criteria of the phenomenon, has increased in Greece over the past five years, with the problems taking on unprecedented dimensions in 2015 for a Eurozone member-state.
According to figures released by Eurostat for 2015, 22.2 percent of Greek citizens – 2.377 million – live under the lack basic living conditions, based on European norms.
As such Eurostat calculates poverty in Europe based on income, a lack of basic living conditions and households affected by unemployment.
Lack of basic goods, for Eurostat, means households cannot include in meals meat or fish three times a week, have difficulty paying rent or common usage fees, lack sufficient heating or lack a washer, phone, TV, car and cannot leave for at least a one-week vacation from their home, amongst others.
