More Greeks who left the country in previous years are now returning, according to the new OECD Diaspora Review: Greece, presented today at a special event organised by the General Secretariat for Coordination of the Presidency of the Government and the National Documentation Centre and Electronic Content (EKT).

The study, carried out by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) in collaboration with EKT, offers a detailed picture of Greeks living and working abroad, particularly in OECD member states. It examines migration patterns over recent decades, the demographic and professional profile of the Greek diaspora, and the factors influencing decisions to return to Greece.

What the study examines

The report maps the size, geographical distribution and evolution of the Greek diaspora in OECD countries, while also analysing recent migration trends and the intentions of Greek citizens considering a move abroad.

It also looks at the demographic and socioeconomic characteristics of Greek migrants and their families, including gender, age and educational level, as well as the composition of the Greek diaspora workforce.

A significant part of the study focuses on labour-market integration, including employment and unemployment rates, occupational sectors, skills, overqualification and entrepreneurship among Greek migrants.

The report also examines return migration to Greece, identifying the factors that encourage repatriation and the policies that could support the reintegration of Greeks who have lived abroad.

In addition, it analyses the international mobility of Greek students and researchers, their educational and professional profile, the duration of their stay abroad and their prospects of returning.

Finally, the study reviews existing policies and proposed interventions aimed at strengthening Greece’s ties with its diaspora and making better use of its human capital.

Government: returns now outnumber departures

Minister of State Akis Skertsos said the return of Greeks who left during the financial crisis reflects a broader improvement in the country’s prospects.

“Greeks who left during the crisis are returning because today’s Greece is a stronger country than the one we inherited in 2019,” he said, referring to improvements in the economy, defence, energy, digital governance, healthcare, education, civil protection and support for vulnerable citizens.

Skertsos also cited recent government measures, including tax incentives for younger workers and families, tax incentives for repatriation, the Rebrain Greece initiative, Elevate Greece, the Strategic Plan for the Greek Diaspora and reforms in higher education, digital governance, green energy, justice and the completion of the Land Registry.

“The positive net balance of returns versus departures from 2023 onward shows that we are now on the right track,” he said.

Labour minister: more than 563,000 jobs created since 2019

Labour and Social Security Minister Niki Kerameos described the return of Greek talent as a strategic priority for the government.

“The environment has now changed, and there are significant career opportunities,” she said, noting that between 2019 and 2025 more than 563,000 new jobs were created, unemployment fell from 17.8% to 8.1%, and the average full-time salary exceeded €1,500 in April 2026.

Kerameos also referred to Rebrain Greece events held in cities abroad with large Greek communities, which connect Greek professionals living overseas with companies in Greece seeking specialised staff.

“Over the past 15 years, 473,000 citizens have already returned to our country,” she said. “Our goal is a Greece that gives young people reasons to build their future here, and a Greece in which those who left can find real prospects for returning.”

Foreign Ministry: nostalgia alone is not enough

Deputy Foreign Minister Yannis Loverdos said the return trend is becoming more consistent and measurable.

“Nostalgia alone is not enough to underpin such a significant life decision,” he said. “Our compatriots return when they realise that Greece can offer them prospects, stability and opportunities for growth.”

He added that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, through the Strategic Plan for the Greek Diaspora and programmes aimed at young expatriates, seeks to build lasting ties with Greeks abroad and support those wishing to return.

Highly skilled professionals are returning

The study’s findings were discussed by Greece’s Permanent Representative to the OECD, Professor George Pagoulatos; Secretary General for Greeks Abroad and Public Diplomacy Maira Myrogianni; Secretary General of the Presidency of the Government Evi Dramalioti; and Secretary General for Labour Relations Nikos Milapidis. The discussion was moderated by EKT Director Kyriakos Tolias.

Participants noted that the positive migration balance is not only quantitative but also qualitative, as many of those returning are highly skilled professionals. They also underlined the role of the internationalisation of Greek universities and the need to simplify and further digitise repatriation procedures.

Strengthening networks with Greek professionals abroad was also identified as a key priority, particularly in order to support the exchange of knowledge, experience and expertise.

The OECD-EKT study is described as an important tool for understanding contemporary trends in the Greek diaspora and international labour mobility. It also fills a long-standing gap in the collection and analysis of data on Greek migration, helping policymakers design more evidence-based measures to reconnect Greece with its citizens abroad.

Similar OECD diaspora reviews have been conducted for countries including Germany, Romania and Georgia, with the aim of analysing migration flows, labour-market integration and the contribution of migrants to both their countries of origin and their host countries.

For Greece, the review draws on data from the OECD, the United Nations, Eurostat, the Hellenic Statistical Authority and national census sources, creating a more coherent framework for analysing the Greek diaspora and the conditions that may encourage more Greeks to return.