In 2023, teachers in Greece were among the lowest paid across 36 countries worldwide, according to the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) report.
As reported by Kathimerini, the annual salaries of newly appointed teachers in Greece stand at €13,104, higher only than those in Slovakia (€12,066) and Latvia (€10,800). In comparison, starting salaries in Italy and Spain reach €27,079 and €36,850, respectively.
The report also shows that Greece saw the most significant drop in real wages (accounting for inflation and its effects on purchasing power) for secondary school teachers between 2015 and 2023, with a 9% decrease, while the average for other countries showed a 4% increase.
According to the report, Greece has the highest number of teachers per student in primary and secondary education, a figure which, according to union representatives, is due to the inclusion of remote schools.
The report indicates that Greece has the highest teacher-to-student ratio in primary and secondary education, which the Ministry of Education uses as justification for merging classes. However, union representatives argue that this figure is due to the inclusion of numerous small schools in remote areas of the country.
Moreover, public spending on education at all levels in Greece was well below the OECD average of 10%, reaching only 6.1%, based on 2020 data.
