Greece
Europe · Southern Europe
Slow economy, big lifestyle upside for the money, and a digital nomad visa available.
Digital Nomad
Ideal destination
Expat
Ideal destination
Retiree
Ideal destination
At a Glance
📈Greece's Human Development Index
0.893
Very High human development#32 of 191 countries worldwide, #23 of 44 in Europe.
Higher than 84% of countries with data. UNDP Human Development Report.
UNDP builds the index from three dimensions: a long and healthy life, being knowledgeable, and a decent standard of living. They are measured by life expectancy at birth, mean and expected years of schooling, and gross national income per capita.
Closest indicators in this dataset
World Bank, own vintages. UNDP’s own component values are not carried here, so these are related measures rather than the index inputs.
Nearest countries by HDI
Full HDI ranking, all 191 countries →Greece
Greece is a Mediterranean country of ancient ruins, clear Aegean water, whitewashed villages, and a food culture built on olive oil, seafood, and shared meals that stretch late into warm evenings. The islands each have their own distinct personality, while the mainland offers mountains, gorges, and a depth of historical heritage that shaped Western civilisation. Greeks can be loud, direct, and generous to a fault, and those who match that energy will feel completely at home.
- Lower homicide rate than Germany, the Netherlands, and Belgium.
- More UNESCO World Heritage Sites per km² than any country in the Americas.
- Digital nomad visa offers a 50% income tax exemption for 7 years — one of Europe's best tax deals for remote workers.
Quick Facts
Capital
Athens
Language
Greek
Currency
€ EUR
Area
128,900 km²
Nomad Hub
Fixed Broadband
94Mbps
Mobile
140Mbps
Digital Nomad Visa
Min. Income
€3,500/mo
Duration
12 months
Renewable
Yes
Application Fee
~€225
~$248
GDP / Capita
$27K
PPP / Capita
$45K
Inflation
2.5%
Unemployment
8.5%
Innovation (GII)
37.4
GNI / Capita
$25K
Tax Revenue
27.4%
FDI Inflows
2.6%
Education Spend
3.4%
Cost of Living
54.0
Price Level Index
28th pct
20-Year Trend + IMF Forecast
Income & inflation over time
HDI since 1990
0.762 → 0.893 (+0.131)Year by year →UNDP Human Development Report, 2023-24 edition. 33 annual values, none interpolated; hover any point for its year.
Twenty years here
Year by year →The world report →World Bank observations, first to last available year per indicator (roughly 2005–2024; each series has its own window).
Thinking about Greece for real?
The matcher weighs your budget, timeline and dealbreakers against the same data on this page, then answers with the places that actually fit.
Find your match →Neighbouring Countries
Greece head-to-head
On the Ground
My Greek Lifestyle
7 Things I Wish I Knew Before Moving to Greece
Daniel · British-Venezuelan, 14 years in Greece
An unfiltered take on what guidebooks skip — the language barrier that isolates you if you stay in expat circles, brutal seasonality that empties islands each winter, and bureaucracy that will test your patience. Jobs are scarce and running a local business is hard. His verdict after 14 years? Still worth it — but go in with eyes open.
💬Quick answers
What is Greece's Human Development Index?
Greece's Human Development Index is 0.893 (UNDP Human Development Report), ranked #32 of 191 countries.
Is Greece safe?
Greece scores 1.83 on the Global Peace Index (lower is more peaceful), ranked #53 of 160 countries by the Institute for Economics & Peace. That measures national-level peace, not street crime; both are covered below.
How expensive is Greece?
Numbeo's cost-of-living index puts Greece at 54.0 (New York = 100); that is #109 cheapest of 143 countries with data.
What is life expectancy in Greece?
Life expectancy at birth in Greece is 81.8 yrs (World Bank), ranked #33 of 195 countries.
What is the quality of life in Greece?
Numbeo's quality-of-life index scores Greece at 140.8, ranked #46 of 87 countries with data. It composites purchasing power, safety, healthcare, cost of living, commute and pollution from resident surveys, so it reflects what residents report rather than what an economy produces.