“Evaluation of the economy is largely subjective and experiential for most citizens”
A post by the Minister of State focuses on key economic figures and indicators Akis Skertsou on social media. “Evaluating the economy is largely subjective and experiential for most citizens who are not economists. The income and expenses on a monthly basis in everyone’s household is also the main indicator for the majority of people regarding the course of the economy”, is the introductory remark of the Minister of State, who points out:
“And, yes, the government is the first to recognize that the good course of the national economy in recent years has not yet become a daily experience for many households. And this despite the fact that there are now much more jobs, investments and increases in incomes. The timing of the international and domestic inflationary wave – which is now receding – removed a significant part of these increases”.
However, he adds, “there is a way to understand more objectively whether our economy is indeed doing better by comparing key economic figures both with the recent past and with what is happening today in other European economies.
Comparison and measurement with commonly accepted methodological tools help to obtain a common code of communication and understanding of reality. To co-exist more harmoniously, to exchange substantive arguments but also to identify where we are doing better or worse than others in order to make the necessary corrections”.
In the basic economic figures, therefore, “Greece scores some remarkable and undeniable performances – always based on European indicators – which create reasonable hopes that for the first time in 15 years we are stepping on solid foundations to make the leap that is necessary. Specifically, Greece notes:
* The 4th highest primary surplus and the largest fall in public debt in the EU in recent years.
* Twice the growth of the economy than the EU average.
* The largest reduction in unemployment in the EU with 500,000 new jobs in five years.
* The biggest tax cut in the EU with over 60 tax and social security contributions reduced or abolished (along with those now being legislated for 2025).
* Reduction of tax evasion in VAT by 50% compared to 2017 thanks to the rapid digitization of tax checks and crossings.
* More than doubling of public investments from almost 5.5 billion euros in 2019 to over 14 billion euros in 2025.
* Faster increase in average disposable income by 5 points than the rest of Europe and the third largest reduction in the EU of people living at risk of poverty.
* Reduction of bad loans by 22 billion euros and an increase in green loans by 51 billion euros in five years”.
In conclusion, “all these elements create an environment of greater stability and a better perspective for the family budget of each household. Because, if our common home does not stand on solid foundations, neither can the individual household of each citizen.
Day by day we are reducing the distance that separates us income-wise from the rest of Europe and we are creating the conditions for a Greece where our children will be able to live better than previous generations. This is what we are fighting for”, underlines Akis Skertsos, who in closing names the relevant government officials, Kostis Hatzidakis, Nikos Papathanasis, Thanos Petralia, Christos Dimas, Alexis Patelis and Michalis Argyrou.
