We consider the impact of the two recent economic crises, one that resulted from the great recession of 2007–2009 and one following the COVID-19 pandemic, on income inequality and the risk of poverty in Greece. To this end, we also investigate the key macroeconomic variables affecting the Greek income distribution. We find that alternative measures of inequality and relative poverty have deteriorated during the years of crises, implying that the country’s response to economic shocks has been particularly harmful for its more disadvantaged citizens. Regarding the variables affecting the income distribution, we show that income inequality and the risk of poverty increase with growth, implying that the benefits of growth, and burdens of recession, are distributed unequally among members of the Greek society. Moreover, inequality appears to increase with unemployment and decrease with the share of wages and salaries in total income. This finding highlights the importance of labour market regulations and workers’ welfare for attaining equality. Finally, we provide evidence that, during pre-election periods, income inequality is reduced, meaning that the political budget cycles, which are characteristic of the Greek economy, generate gains in terms of equality, but these gains are short-lived and mainly benefit the middle bracket of the income distribution.

This paper estimates the contribution of the hotel sector to the main macroeconomic figures of the Greek economy. For this purpose, we use a combination of input-output models as well as survey-based data. The analysis of the intersectoral relationships in the Greek economy indicates that the hotel sector constitutes a key sector of the economy. The total (direct and indirect) contribution of the hotel sector to the gross domestic product of the economy is estimated at 4.8% for the year 2023, whilst its total contribution to employment is estimated at 6.6%. Moreover, from the sectoral decomposition of the cost of the hotel product, it is found that almost 20% of the price of the final hotel product is composed of taxes, a percentage that is almost twice that of the other sectors of the economy. Finally, the evaluation of the results of the current study offers useful insights for policymakers.

In 2004, the Greek Commercial Law incorporated the European Union (EU) regulation regarding the mandatory implementation of International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS), by all companies listed in Athens Stock Exchange (ASE), for financial years starting January 1 st , 2005. This structural evolution in the accounting regulation framework in Greece resulted in substantial changes in the historical financial information provided by the Greek listed companies. The aim of this paper is to identify significant differences between the IFRS and the Greek General Accepted Accounting Principles (or Greek GAAP). Based on the results of the nonparametric statistical analysis, significant differences were noted in a number of areas of financial statements. Furthermore, we detected the areas of financial statements provided by Greek companies where differences have had major impact.