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🇮🇹 VS 🇬🇷

Italy vs Greece Economy: GDP, Tax and Key Indicators 2026

Italy and Greece: A Side-by-Side EU Economic Analysis

4
Italy leads
7
Indicators
3
Greece leads
Italy leads overall

Analysis by Eunomist Research Team  •  Updated 2026

How Does Italy Compare to Greece? The Key Economic Story

Italy and Greece represent two distinct economic models within the European Union. With Italy leading on 4 of 7 measured indicators and Greece ahead on 3, this comparison reveals important structural differences across growth, labour markets, and fiscal policy.

The GDP per capita gap — €36,330 for Italy versus €21,300 for Greece — tells one part of the story, but the full picture emerges from examining unemployment rates, debt levels, and productivity trends side by side.

For businesses and investors, understanding which country performs better on which dimensions is essential. The data presented here draws on Eurostat indicators across economy, labour, fiscal, and social domains.

The Most Important Metrics at a Glance

GDP per Capita
€36,330
🇮🇹 Italy
€21,300
🇬🇷 Greece
Primary measure of living standards and productive output per person.
GDP Growth Rate
0.9%
🇮🇹 Italy
2.1%
🇬🇷 Greece
Annual real economic expansion — the pulse of short-term economic health.
Unemployment Rate
7.7%
🇮🇹 Italy
11.1%
🇬🇷 Greece
Percentage actively seeking but unable to find work. The EU average benchmark is around 6%.
Government Debt
133.9% GDP
🇮🇹 Italy
164.3% GDP
🇬🇷 Greece
Total accumulated government debt. The EU's Stability Pact reference target is below 60% of GDP.
Inflation (HICP)
120.9%
🇮🇹 Italy
115.8%
🇬🇷 Greece
The EU's harmonised measure of consumer price changes. The ECB targets 2% across the eurozone.
Employment Rate
66.3%
🇮🇹 Italy
67.4%
🇬🇷 Greece
Share of working-age population with a job — higher means more productive capacity being used.

Italy vs Greece: Full Indicator Comparison

All 7 available EU indicators compared side by side. Green highlights indicate the stronger performer on each metric. Each row includes a one-line interpretation of what the indicator measures.

Indicator 🇮🇹 Italy 🇬🇷 Greece Gap
GDP per Capita
Primary measure of living standards and productive output per person.
€36,330 €21,300 €15,030
GDP Growth Rate
Annual real economic expansion — the pulse of short-term economic health.
0.9% 2.1% 1.2%
Current Account Balance
A surplus means the economy earns more from abroad than it spends — a sign of competitiveness.
+0.2% -6.8% +7.0%
Indicator 🇮🇹 Italy 🇬🇷 Greece Gap
Unemployment Rate
Percentage actively seeking but unable to find work. The EU average benchmark is around 6%.
7.7% 11.1% 3.4%
Employment Rate
Share of working-age population with a job — higher means more productive capacity being used.
66.3% 67.4% 1.1%
Indicator 🇮🇹 Italy 🇬🇷 Greece Gap
Inflation (HICP)
The EU's harmonised measure of consumer price changes. The ECB targets 2% across the eurozone.
120.9% 115.8% 5.1%
Indicator 🇮🇹 Italy 🇬🇷 Greece Gap
Government Debt
Total accumulated government debt. The EU's Stability Pact reference target is below 60% of GDP.
133.9% GDP 164.3% GDP 30.4% GDP

Choose Italy or Greece? The Bottom Line

🇮🇹
Choose Italy if...
  • you prioritise the indicators where it leads — including GDP per Capita and Unemployment Rate.
  • its economic structure aligns better with your sector.
  • market size and regional positioning in the EU matter for your strategy.
🇬🇷
Choose Greece if...
  • you prioritise the indicators where it leads — including GDP Growth Rate and Inflation (HICP).
  • its fiscal and labour market profile suits your business model.
  • growth trajectory is your primary investment criterion.