Poverty and living standards in Crete, Greece: official figures
Disposable household income was 14,900 PPS per person in 2023; 5th highest of 13 regions in Greece.
How many people in Crete are at risk of poverty?
The share of people at risk of poverty or social exclusion was 18.2% in 2025, against 27.5% for Greece; the lowest of 13 regions in Greece.
Source: Eurostat · saved copyHow many homes are empty in Crete?
The 2021 census found 159,129 empty homes in Crete, 38.9% of the housing stock, compared with 34.5% across Greece; 7th highest of 13 among the regions.
Source: Hellenic Statistical Authority (ELSTAT) · saved copyHow crowded are homes in Crete?
3.9% of occupied homes in Crete offered less than 15 square metres per household member in 2021 (3.2% in Greece).
Source: Hellenic Statistical Authority (ELSTAT) · saved copyWhat is the crime rate in Crete?
Police recorded 10,628 criminal offences in Crete in 2025, 17.0 per 1,000 residents of the 2021 census population, 6th lowest of 13 among the regions.
Source: Hellenic Statistical Authority (ELSTAT) · saved copyIs crime rising in Crete?
Recorded crime in Crete fell by 10.3% between 2024 and 2025 (11,843 to 10,628 offences), while the national total changed by -8.8%.
Source: Hellenic Statistical Authority (ELSTAT) · saved copyHow many people die on the roads in Crete?
Road crashes killed 53 people in Crete in 2024, a death rate of 8.5 per 100,000 residents against 6.3 nationally; 5th highest of 13 among the regions.
Source: Hellenic Statistical Authority (ELSTAT) · saved copyHow many road accidents are there in Crete?
Police recorded 194 road traffic accidents with casualties in Crete in 2024, 3.1 per 10,000 residents, injuring or killing 287 people.
Source: Hellenic Statistical Authority (ELSTAT) · saved copyWhat is the poverty rate in Crete?
The at-risk-of-poverty rate was 12.7% in 2025, measured against 60% of median income in Greece, compared with 19.6% nationally; the lowest of 13 regions in Greece. In 2018 it was 20.4%.
Source: Eurostat · saved copyHow many people in Crete cannot afford basic necessities?
9.1% of people suffered severe material and social deprivation in 2025, meaning they could not afford at least 7 of 13 basic items such as heating, a week away or replacing worn-out furniture, compared with 14.9% nationally; 3rd lowest of 13 regions in Greece. In 2018 it was 17.4%.
Source: Eurostat · saved copyHow many households in Crete have nobody in work?
Very low work intensity affected 5.4% of people under 65 in 2025 (households where working-age adults worked under 20% of the time they could), compared with 6.5% nationally; 5th lowest of 13 regions in Greece. In 2018 it was 10.5%.
Source: Eurostat · saved copyWhat is the average income in Crete?
Disposable household income averaged €12,800 per person in 2023, compared with €13,300 nationally and €21,000 in the EU; 5th highest of 13 regions in Greece. In 2013 it was €8,100.
Source: Eurostat · saved copyMore figures
- 48.1% of the dwellings in Crete were built before 1981, according to the 2021 census. Source: Hellenic Statistical Authority (ELSTAT) · saved copy
- 37.7% of dwellings in Crete are in apartment blocks (polykatoikies), 2021 census. Source: Hellenic Statistical Authority (ELSTAT) · saved copy
- 18,281 of the 66,742 rented homes in Crete were let furnished at the 2021 census (27.4%). Source: Hellenic Statistical Authority (ELSTAT) · saved copy
- Crete accounted for 4.7% of all offences recorded by the Hellenic Police in Greece in 2025. Source: Hellenic Statistical Authority (ELSTAT) · saved copy
- Recorded crime in Crete in 2025 was 17.6% higher than in 2015, when 9,040 offences were recorded. Source: Hellenic Statistical Authority (ELSTAT) · saved copy
- Since 2010 the highest annual count of recorded offences in Crete was 28,756, in 2010. Source: Hellenic Statistical Authority (ELSTAT) · saved copy
- 54 people were seriously injured and 180 slightly injured on the roads of Crete in 2024. Source: Hellenic Statistical Authority (ELSTAT) · saved copy
- 5 of the 53 road deaths in Crete in 2024 were pedestrians. Source: Hellenic Statistical Authority (ELSTAT) · saved copy
How Crete compares with other regions
Share of conventional dwellings empty, 2021 census (2021)
Crete ranks 7 of 13, highest first.
| Rank | Region | Share of conventional dwellings empty, 2021 census |
|---|---|---|
| 4 | Ionia Nisia | 48.6% |
| 5 | Sterea Elláda | 46.1% |
| 6 | Ipeiros | 39.3% |
| 7 | Crete | 38.9% |
| 8 | Dytiki Elláda | 37.7% |
| 9 | Dytiki Makedonia | 37.5% |
| 10 | Anatoliki Makedonia, Thraki | 34.5% |
Share of occupied homes lived in by their owners, 2021 census (2021)
Crete ranks 11 of 13, highest first.
| Rank | Region | Share of occupied homes lived in by their owners, 2021 census |
|---|---|---|
| 7 | Ipeiros | 74.5% |
| 8 | Ionia Nisia | 72.5% |
| 9 | Central Macedonia | 71.8% |
| 10 | Voreio Aigaio | 71.2% |
| 11 | Crete | 67.7% |
| 12 | Notio Aigaio | 66.8% |
| 13 | Attica | 65.2% |
Share of occupied homes with under 15 m² per person, 2021 census (2021)
Crete ranks 3 of 13, highest first.
| Rank | Region | Share of occupied homes with under 15 m² per person, 2021 census |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Notio Aigaio | 5.6% |
| 2 | Ionia Nisia | 4.4% |
| 3 | Crete | 3.9% |
| 4 | Dytiki Elláda | 3.8% |
| 5 | Anatoliki Makedonia, Thraki | 3.6% |
| 6 | Ipeiros | 3.5% |
| 7 | Voreio Aigaio | 3.5% |
Criminal offences recorded per 1,000 residents, 2025 (2025)
Crete ranks 8 of 13, highest first.
| Rank | Region | Criminal offences recorded per 1,000 residents, 2025 |
|---|---|---|
| 5 | Central Macedonia | 19.9 |
| 6 | Dytiki Elláda | 19.2 |
| 7 | Sterea Elláda | 18.2 |
| 8 | Crete | 17.0 |
| 9 | Voreio Aigaio | 15.0 |
| 10 | Ipeiros | 13.1 |
| 11 | Thessalia | 12.2 |
Change in recorded offences, 2024-2025 (2025)
Crete ranks 9 of 13, highest first.
| Rank | Region | Change in recorded offences, 2024-2025 |
|---|---|---|
| 6 | Attica | -6.6% |
| 7 | Anatoliki Makedonia, Thraki | -6.7% |
| 8 | Ipeiros | -9.1% |
| 9 | Crete | -10.3% |
| 10 | Sterea Elláda | -15.5% |
| 11 | Central Macedonia | -16.1% |
| 12 | Peloponnisos | -18.6% |
Road deaths per 100,000 residents, 2024 (2024)
Crete ranks 5 of 13, highest first.
| Rank | Region | Road deaths per 100,000 residents, 2024 |
|---|---|---|
| 2 | Notio Aigaio | 11.0 |
| 3 | Peloponnisos | 9.6 |
| 4 | Sterea Elláda | 8.7 |
| 5 | Crete | 8.5 |
| 6 | Dytiki Elláda | 8.5 |
| 7 | Anatoliki Makedonia, Thraki | 8.2 |
| 8 | Ipeiros | 7.5 |
Road accidents with casualties per 10,000 residents, 2024 (2024)
Crete ranks 11 of 13, highest first.
| Rank | Region | Road accidents with casualties per 10,000 residents, 2024 |
|---|---|---|
| 7 | Dytiki Elláda | 6.6 |
| 8 | Peloponnisos | 4.9 |
| 9 | Anatoliki Makedonia, Thraki | 4.9 |
| 10 | Ipeiros | 3.7 |
| 11 | Crete | 3.1 |
| 12 | Thessalia | 3.0 |
| 13 | Dytiki Makedonia | 1.9 |
At-risk-of-poverty rate (after social transfers) (2025)
Crete ranks 13 of 13, highest first.
| Rank | Region | At-risk-of-poverty rate (after social transfers) |
|---|---|---|
| 7 | Voreio Aigaio | 22.5% |
| 8 | Ionia Nisia | 22.4% |
| 9 | Ipeiros | 22.0% |
| 10 | Dytiki Makedonia | 21.7% |
| 11 | Notio Aigaio | 18.0% |
| 12 | Attica | 13.7% |
| 13 | Crete | 12.7% |
Severe material and social deprivation rate (2025)
Crete ranks 11 of 13, highest first.
| Rank | Region | Severe material and social deprivation rate |
|---|---|---|
| 7 | Dytiki Makedonia | 13.5% |
| 8 | Dytiki Elláda | 12.0% |
| 9 | Sterea Elláda | 11.6% |
| 10 | Thessalia | 9.7% |
| 11 | Crete | 9.1% |
| 12 | Voreio Aigaio | 8.1% |
| 13 | Ipeiros | 7.2% |
People in households with very low work intensity (2025)
Crete ranks 9 of 13, highest first.
| Rank | Region | People in households with very low work intensity |
|---|---|---|
| 6 | Sterea Elláda | 6.9% |
| 7 | Attica | 6.2% |
| 8 | Thessalia | 5.9% |
| 9 | Crete | 5.4% |
| 10 | Ipeiros | 5.4% |
| 11 | Voreio Aigaio | 3.8% |
| 12 | Notio Aigaio | 3.5% |
Disposable household income per person (euros) (2023)
Crete ranks 5 of 13, highest first.
| Rank | Region | Disposable household income per person (euros) |
|---|---|---|
| 2 | Notio Aigaio | €16,100 |
| 3 | Attica | €15,200 |
| 4 | Dytiki Makedonia | €13,200 |
| 5 | Crete | €12,800 |
| 6 | Central Macedonia | €12,400 |
| 7 | Ipeiros | €12,400 |
| 8 | Peloponnisos | €12,100 |
More on Crete: overview · economy and jobs · health · education and schools · government and politics · Greece
Sources
- Eurostat: Eurostat dataset nama_10r_2hhinc: Disposable household income per person (PPS), read 23 October 2026 · saved copy (SHA-256 bd6019768e9f…)
- Eurostat: Eurostat dataset ilc_peps11n: At risk of poverty or social exclusion, read 23 October 2026 · saved copy (SHA-256 94dcf245d20e…)
- 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 ilc_mdsd18: Severe material and social deprivation rate by NUTS 2 region, read 23 October 2026 · saved copy (SHA-256 62e6e6fba571…)
- Eurostat: Eurostat dataset ilc_lvhl21n: People living in households with very low work intensity by NUTS 2 region, read 23 October 2026 · saved copy (SHA-256 8b5e993ae943…)
- Eurostat: Eurostat dataset nama_10r_2hhinc: Income of households by NUTS 2 region (euros per inhabitant), read 23 October 2026 · saved copy (SHA-256 a7441dafca51…)
- Eurostat: Eurostat dataset ilc_li41: At-risk-of-poverty rate by NUTS 2 region, read 23 October 2026 · saved copy (SHA-256 27849ad61b9a…)
- Hellenic Statistical Authority (ELSTAT): Road traffic accidents and casualties by category and nature of accident, by regional unit, 2024 (publication SDT04 Road traffic accidents - yearly, table 01), read 24 October 2026 · saved copy (SHA-256 4fb266596c18…)
- Hellenic Statistical Authority (ELSTAT): Table A4. Criminal offences committed by regional police district, 2000, 2005 and 2010-2025 (publication SJU03 Offences committed; source Hellenic Police), read 24 October 2026 · saved copy (SHA-256 429c423654cf…)
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