ATHENS – [ANA-MPA]
Geopolitical threats, the tension between Europe and the United States, and the crisis of American institutions were some of the concerns expressed by Foundation for Economic & Industrial Research (IOBE) Board President Yiannis Retsos on January 27, during the presentation of the institution’s quarterly report.
Referring to Greece, Retsos acknowledged progress achieved in recent years to bolster the economy, but underlined that the country must be further insulated from inevitable difficulties ahead. In particular, he mentioned signs of fatigue and the need to accelerate structural changes at financial and institutional level.
The Greek economy can maintain and strengthen its current positive trajectory only as long as it increases investments in physical and human capital, IOBE General Director Nikos Vettas said, in his presentation. As he noted, structural changes in state and markets operations are necessary, as is the strengthening of critical infrastructures. He warned that if this does not happen, the Greek economy’s growth trend will inevitably weaken.
For 2026, IOBE has maintained its assessment of a +2.2% growth rate, in the context of boosted investments and resilient consumption. Employment is expected to rise in 2026 because of the rising trend in consumption, investments, and specific sectors in industry and services. Unemployment rate, according to IOBE, is expected to reach 8.9% in 2025 and 8.6% in 2026.
In terms of prices, IOBE estimates that they will remain on a mildly rising trend, with an inflation rate around 2.4% in 2026, due mostly to consumption demand. Uncertainty in geopolotical developments at global level and the euro’s exchange rate create both rising and falling dangers in forecasting.
