Greece
Greece is a country located in southeastern Europe, consisting of the mainland and approximatively 1,200 islands. Around ten million people live in this country, which is considered the birthplace of western civilization. Athens is the largest city and capital, followed by Thessaloniki and Patras. Greece is part of the European Union, and aims for a sustainable economical and societal growth. The country, however, has been shaken by several crises in the past years. In addition, the refugee situation has presented Greece with major humanitarian challenges for several years.
SOS Children’s Villages has been supporting children and young people without parental care, or at risk of losing it, in Greece since 1975.
Villages in Greece
Children are at risk
There are around two million children in Greece. Although the country has been working hard to develop financially and socially, it was hit hard by several crises in recent years. This had many repercussions, and especially on the most vulnerable in society. Indeed, 36% of children in Greece are at risk of poverty. Many of these children are refugees, lacking basic needs and vulnerable for gender-based violence, sexual violence and child trafficking.
60%
Of refugee children are not inlcuded in the school system
Refugees
For many refugees coming from Asia and the Middle East, Greece is the first country they enter in Europe. There are an estimated 121,100 refugees in Greece, 44,500 of whom are children. In total, 4,000 children are unaccompanied.
Not only do they lack basic needs such as shelter and food, but they are also more vulnerable to gender and sexual violence, exploitation and trafficking. Although the Greek government has made efforts to include refugee children in the school system, 60% of refugee children of school age are still lacking access to education.
40,000
Victims of trafficking in Greece annually
Children are exploited
Child trafficking is a huge problem in Greece. The country is both a final destination and transit country for child trafficking from Eastern Europe and former Soviet countries. This could be due to Greece’s geographical location, which is an entry point into the European Union. Or it could be due to the ineffective prevention and prosecution measures of the Greek judicial system. Criminal organisations traffick an estimated 40,000 victims annually for forced labour and sex trafficking..
568,000
Children are at risk of poverty
Poverty
Greece has gone through several crises in recent years that have brought many families to the brink of poverty. In fact, 30% of the population is at risk of poverty or social exclusion. Among young people, 568,000 children are affected. The high level of poverty could be linked to the unemployment prevailing in Greece. The country has one of the highest unemployment rates in the European Union, at around 13%. Among 15-29 year olds, it is as high as 29.8%. Poverty and unemployment are mutually dependent, a vicious circle from which it is difficult to escape.
Together we can make a difference for children in Greece
900
Adults and children
Are supported in the community
700
Children
Learn at our kindergartens and schools
90
Children
Grow up in our care
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30
Young people
Are supported on their way to independence
890
Emergency services
Were possible
