Economy, jobs and prices in Crete, Greece: official figures
GDP per person was 23,800 purchasing power standards (PPS) in 2024, 60% of the EU average; 5th highest of 13 regions in Greece. PPS adjust for price differences between countries.
How big is the economy of Crete?
The regional economy produced €12.3 billion of output (GDP at market prices) in 2024, 5.2% of Greece's GDP.
Source: Eurostat · saved copyWhat is the unemployment rate in Crete?
The unemployment rate (age 15 to 74) was 5.1% in 2025, against 8.9% for Greece and 6.0% across the EU; the lowest of 13 regions in Greece.
Source: Eurostat · saved copyWhat is youth unemployment in Crete?
Youth unemployment (age 15 to 24) was 12.9% in 2025, against 19.1% for Greece; the lowest of 11 regions in Greece.
Source: Eurostat · saved copyHow much does Crete spend on research and development?
Spending on research and development came to 1.55% of GDP in 2024 (1.53% nationally).
Source: Eurostat · saved copyWhat is the unemployment rate in Crete?
The 2021 census counted 32,485 unemployed people in Crete, an unemployment rate of 11.2% of the labour force (14.2% nationally); 2nd lowest of 13 among the regions.
Source: Hellenic Statistical Authority (ELSTAT) · saved copyHow many people work in Crete?
256,978 residents of Crete were in work and 289,464 were economically active at the 2021 census, out of a resident population of 624,408.
Source: Hellenic Statistical Authority (ELSTAT) · saved copyWhat is the female unemployment rate in Crete?
Unemployment among women in Crete was 11.9% at the 2021 census, against 10.7% among men, a gap of 1.2 percentage points.
Source: Hellenic Statistical Authority (ELSTAT) · saved copyHow many pensioners live in Crete?
Crete had 128,372 pensioners in 2021, 50 for every 100 people in work (59 nationally), 3rd lowest of 13 among the regions.
Source: Hellenic Statistical Authority (ELSTAT) · saved copyHow many people in Crete are long-term unemployed?
Long-term unemployment (people out of work for a year or more) stood at 1.2% of the labour force in 2025, compared with 5.0% nationally and 1.9% in the EU; the lowest of 12 regions in Greece. In 2015 it was 13.5%.
Source: Eurostat · saved copyWhat is the unemployment rate for women in Crete?
Unemployment among women was 7.7% in 2025, compared with 11.2% nationally and 6.2% in the EU; the lowest of 13 regions in Greece. In 2015 it was 28.9%.
Source: Eurostat · saved copyHow many women in Crete are in work?
66.7% of women aged 20 to 64 were in work in 2025, compared with 62.3% nationally and 71.3% in the EU; 2nd highest of 13 regions in Greece. In 2015 it was 46.7%.
Source: Eurostat · saved copyIs the economy of Crete growing?
Output (gross value added, after inflation) changed by 1.8% in 2024, compared with 1.7% nationally; 6th highest of 13 regions in Greece. In 2014 it was 2.7%.
Source: Eurostat · saved copyHow many cars are there in Crete?
There were 500 passenger cars per 1,000 people in 2024, compared with 581 nationally; 2nd highest of 13 regions in Greece. In 2014 it was 410.
Source: Eurostat · saved copyWhat is the average salary in Crete?
Average compensation per employee (pay plus employer social contributions) was €9,742 in 2023, against €10,954 across Greece; the lowest of 13 regions in Greece.
Source: Eurostat · saved copyHow many tourists visit Crete?
Visitors spent 35.2 million nights in tourist accommodation in 2025, 95% of them by visitors from abroad.
Source: Eurostat · saved copyWhat is the main industry in Crete?
The largest part of the economy of Crete in 2024 was trade, transport, hospitality and communications, at 37.0% of gross value added, followed by finance, property and business services (21.4%).
Source: Eurostat · saved copyHow industrial is Crete?
Factories, mines and energy produced 9.8% of the value added in Crete in 2024, against 15.1% for Greece.
Source: Eurostat · saved copyHow fast is the economy of Crete growing?
Gross value added rose from €7.8 billion in 2015 to €10.7 billion in 2024 in current prices, an increase of 37% before inflation.
Source: Eurostat · saved copyWhat jobs do people do in Crete?
Of the 315,310 jobs located in Crete in 2024, 20% in public services, education, health and other services, 7% in industry and 14.7% in farming, forestry and fishing.
Source: Eurostat · saved copyAre jobs growing in Crete?
The number of people working in Crete rose by 22.1% between 2015 and 2024, to 315,310.
Source: Eurostat · saved copyMore figures
- 24.3% of the unemployed in Crete in 2021 were looking for their first job (7,879 people), versus 24.1% across Greece. Source: Hellenic Statistical Authority (ELSTAT) · saved copy
- 46.4% of all residents of Crete were economically active, working or looking for work, at the 2021 census (44.3% nationally), and 116,314 were pupils or students. Source: Hellenic Statistical Authority (ELSTAT) · saved copy
How Crete compares with other regions
Unemployment rate at the 2021 census (2021)
Crete ranks 12 of 13, highest first.
| Rank | Region | Unemployment rate at the 2021 census |
|---|---|---|
| 7 | Ionia Nisia | 15.5% |
| 8 | Sterea Elláda | 15.0% |
| 9 | Voreio Aigaio | 14.3% |
| 10 | Peloponnisos | 13.2% |
| 11 | Attica | 12.5% |
| 12 | Crete | 11.2% |
| 13 | Notio Aigaio | 10.9% |
Pensioners per 100 employed people, 2021 census (2021)
Crete ranks 11 of 13, highest first.
| Rank | Region | Pensioners per 100 employed people, 2021 census |
|---|---|---|
| 7 | Dytiki Elláda | 69 |
| 8 | Voreio Aigaio | 68 |
| 9 | Central Macedonia | 62 |
| 10 | Ionia Nisia | 59 |
| 11 | Crete | 50 |
| 12 | Attica | 49 |
| 13 | Notio Aigaio | 44 |
Long-term unemployment (% of labour force) (2025)
Crete ranks 12 of 12, highest first.
| Rank | Region | Long-term unemployment (% of labour force) |
|---|---|---|
| 6 | Attica | 4.9% |
| 7 | Dytiki Elláda | 4.9% |
| 8 | Peloponnisos | 4.7% |
| 9 | Thessalia | 3.1% |
| 10 | Voreio Aigaio | 1.7% |
| 11 | Notio Aigaio | 1.4% |
| 12 | Crete | 1.2% |
Unemployment rate, women (2025)
Crete ranks 13 of 13, highest first.
| Rank | Region | Unemployment rate, women |
|---|---|---|
| 7 | Dytiki Elláda | 12.0% |
| 8 | Peloponnisos | 11.2% |
| 9 | Notio Aigaio | 9.7% |
| 10 | Thessalia | 9.1% |
| 11 | Attica | 9.0% |
| 12 | Voreio Aigaio | 8.5% |
| 13 | Crete | 7.7% |
Employment rate, women aged 20-64 (2025)
Crete ranks 2 of 13, highest first.
| Rank | Region | Employment rate, women aged 20-64 |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Attica | 67.3% |
| 2 | Crete | 66.7% |
| 3 | Peloponnisos | 64.7% |
| 4 | Ipeiros | 62.8% |
| 5 | Central Macedonia | 59.6% |
| 6 | Ionia Nisia | 59.1% |
| 7 | Thessalia | 58.9% |
Real growth in gross value added (2024)
Crete ranks 6 of 13, highest first.
| Rank | Region | Real growth in gross value added |
|---|---|---|
| 3 | Thessalia | 2.2% |
| 4 | Ipeiros | 2.1% |
| 5 | Central Macedonia | 1.9% |
| 6 | Crete | 1.8% |
| 7 | Dytiki Elláda | 1.7% |
| 8 | Peloponnisos | 1.6% |
| 9 | Attica | 1.4% |
Passenger cars per 1,000 people (2024)
Crete ranks 2 of 13, highest first.
| Rank | Region | Passenger cars per 1,000 people |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Attica | 903 |
| 2 | Crete | 500 |
| 3 | Central Macedonia | 474 |
| 4 | Ionia Nisia | 460 |
| 5 | Dytiki Makedonia | 429 |
| 6 | Ipeiros | 418 |
| 7 | Anatoliki Makedonia, Thraki | 412 |
Compensation per employee (euros) (2023)
Crete ranks 13 of 13, highest first.
| Rank | Region | Compensation per employee (euros) |
|---|---|---|
| 7 | Dytiki Elláda | €10,630 |
| 8 | Anatoliki Makedonia, Thraki | €10,471 |
| 9 | Central Macedonia | €10,318 |
| 10 | Voreio Aigaio | €10,291 |
| 11 | Ipeiros | €9,987 |
| 12 | Notio Aigaio | €9,823 |
| 13 | Crete | €9,742 |
Nights spent in tourist accommodation (2025)
Crete ranks 2 of 13, highest first.
| Rank | Region | Nights spent in tourist accommodation |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Notio Aigaio | 41.8 million |
| 2 | Crete | 35.2 million |
| 3 | Ionia Nisia | 20.4 million |
| 4 | Central Macedonia | 18.7 million |
| 5 | Attica | 12.8 million |
| 6 | Peloponnisos | 6.3 million |
| 7 | Thessalia | 4.4 million |
Share of output from industry (manufacturing, mining and energy) (2024)
Crete ranks 10 of 13, highest first.
| Rank | Region | Share of output from industry (manufacturing, mining and energy) |
|---|---|---|
| 7 | Ipeiros | 14.4% |
| 8 | Dytiki Elláda | 14.1% |
| 9 | Attica | 11.7% |
| 10 | Crete | 9.8% |
| 11 | Voreio Aigaio | 8.4% |
| 12 | Notio Aigaio | 6.2% |
| 13 | Ionia Nisia | 5.3% |
Share of output from finance, property and business services (2024)
Crete ranks 6 of 13, highest first.
| Rank | Region | Share of output from finance, property and business services |
|---|---|---|
| 3 | Ipeiros | 23.5% |
| 4 | Ionia Nisia | 23.0% |
| 5 | Dytiki Elláda | 22.5% |
| 6 | Crete | 21.4% |
| 7 | Notio Aigaio | 20.9% |
| 8 | Central Macedonia | 20.8% |
| 9 | Peloponnisos | 20.7% |
Share of output from public administration, education, health and other services (2024)
Crete ranks 8 of 13, highest first.
| Rank | Region | Share of output from public administration, education, health and other services |
|---|---|---|
| 5 | Dytiki Elláda | 25.9% |
| 6 | Dytiki Makedonia | 24.4% |
| 7 | Central Macedonia | 24.3% |
| 8 | Crete | 19.4% |
| 9 | Peloponnisos | 19.2% |
| 10 | Attica | 18.9% |
| 11 | Sterea Elláda | 16.8% |
More on Crete: overview · health · education and schools · poverty and living standards · government and politics · Greece
Sources
- Eurostat: Eurostat dataset nama_10r_2gdp: GDP per person (purchasing power standards), read 23 October 2026 · saved copy (SHA-256 c21f724d14a6…)
- Eurostat: Eurostat dataset nama_10r_2gdp: GDP per person (euros), read 23 October 2026 · saved copy (SHA-256 537f99167955…)
- Eurostat: Eurostat dataset nama_10r_2gdp: GDP (million euros), read 23 October 2026 · saved copy (SHA-256 e3677c4e6d67…)
- Eurostat: Eurostat dataset lfst_r_lfu3rt: Unemployment rate (age 15-74), read 23 October 2026 · saved copy (SHA-256 13f5037ce93a…)
- Eurostat: Eurostat dataset lfst_r_lfu3rt: Youth unemployment rate (age 15-24), read 23 October 2026 · saved copy (SHA-256 83bb1aebc10b…)
- Eurostat: Eurostat dataset lfst_r_lfe2emprt: Employment rate (age 20-64), read 23 October 2026 · saved copy (SHA-256 03191283bf5f…)
- Eurostat: Eurostat dataset rd_e_gerdreg: Research and development spending (% of GDP), read 23 October 2026 · saved copy (SHA-256 36a9132b2284…)
- Hellenic Statistical Authority (ELSTAT): 2021 Population-Housing Census tables SAM04 A01 (residents by sex, education and activity status, regional units), SAM04 B03 (same, municipalities), SAM05 A01 (conventional dwellings by occupancy, period of construction and building type), SAM05 A07 (occupied dwellings by floor space per person) and SAM05 B02 (occupied dwellings by tenure), read 24 October 2026 · saved copy (SHA-256 86872ba6c2c0…)
- Eurostat: Eurostat dataset nama_10r_3empers: Employment (thousand persons) by NUTS 3 region and industry, read 23 October 2026 · saved copy (SHA-256 222a97c302d3…)
- Eurostat: Eurostat dataset nama_10r_2gvagr: Real growth rate of regional gross value added (GVA) at basic prices by NUTS 2 region, read 23 October 2026 · saved copy (SHA-256 ba2c4bdc7c37…)
- Eurostat: Eurostat dataset lfst_r_lfe2emprt: Employment rates by sex, age and NUTS 2 region, read 23 October 2026 · saved copy (SHA-256 51bfca80dc8b…)
- Eurostat: Eurostat dataset nama_10r_3gva: Gross value added at basic prices by NUTS 3 region and industry, read 23 October 2026 · saved copy (SHA-256 c656e8563bdf…)
- Eurostat: Eurostat dataset lfst_r_lfu2ltu: Long-term unemployment (12 months and more) by NUTS 2 region, read 23 October 2026 · saved copy (SHA-256 3d5d17a32863…)
- Eurostat: Eurostat dataset tour_occ_nin2: Nights spent at tourist accommodation establishments by NUTS 2 region, read 23 October 2026 · saved copy (SHA-256 06f6a82909c0…)
- Eurostat: Eurostat dataset nama_10r_2coe: Compensation of employees by NUTS 2 region and industry, read 23 October 2026 · saved copy (SHA-256 895d7cc9e826…)
- Eurostat: Eurostat dataset tran_r_vehst: Stock of vehicles by category and NUTS 2 region, read 23 October 2026 · saved copy (SHA-256 5adf37bcb393…)
- Eurostat: Eurostat dataset lfst_r_lfu3rt: Unemployment rates by sex, age, educational attainment level and NUTS 2 region, read 23 October 2026 · saved copy (SHA-256 ac151d8a46d5…)
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