The position of Greek universities in international higher education rankings shows overall improvement compared to last year, while Greece ranks among the lowest OECD countries in graduate employment rates. Simultaneously, the country demonstrates the largest unemployment rate decrease across all European nations (-7.1%), yet the overall percentage of unemployed graduates remains particularly high. These findings emerge from the annual Higher Education Quality Report by the National Authority for Higher Education, which outlines the university “profile” for 2024 and was presented to Parliament Speaker Nikitas Kaklamanis and Education Minister Sofia Zacharaki.
Specialization as an advantage – Where Greece stands in the OECD report regarding graduates, unemployment measurements and student population percentage
According to the new annual report, during 2020-2024, unemployed graduates in Greece (both genders) decreased by a total of 103,100 individuals (from 303,400 in 2020 to 200,300 in 2024). However, Greece remains in the lowest positions among OECD countries in employment rates for both higher education graduates aged 25-64 years (80.1%) and young graduates aged 25-34 years (76.7%), lagging approximately 10 percentage points behind the OECD average. Holding a postgraduate degree increases employment chances by 9.5% compared to first-degree holders, while holding a doctoral degree increases chances by 17.1%. Regarding graduate salaries, Greece ranks relatively low among OECD countries, trailing 18 percentage points below the average. The top three universities with the most appearances across seven international ranking systems include Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, University of Athens, National Technical University of Athens, University of Crete, and University of Patras with seven appearances, University of Ioannina with six, followed by University of Thessaly and Harokopio University with five. Greece leads in student-to-faculty ratio, significantly distant from the European average, while the report notes it holds the highest student population percentage (among enrolled students), though the graduation rate among total students annually remains the lowest among European countries. However, this measurement includes all students, not just active ones.
What the report says about “eternal” students
According to the report, the retention of inactive students who do not graduate from Greek universities creates adverse performance indicators for the country across various international metrics, as the graduation rate among total students annually remains the lowest among European countries. The country also has the highest percentage of men versus women in first-cycle studies. This indicator is influenced by the fact that the majority of inactive students are men. However, in postgraduate studies, women numerically outnumber men. Regarding study subjects, Greek students primarily pursue engineering sciences and business administration and law, while services rank last in their preferences. In Europe, most students are enrolled in business administration and legal studies, with the fewest in geotechnical sciences.
Published in Apogevmatini
