THE EVOLUTION OF SOCIAL WELFARE POLICIES AND INSTRUMENTS IN GREECE

Abstract

This paper examines the evolution of social welfare policies and instruments in Greece from the late twentieth century welfare expansion to the post crisis period, focusing on how fiscal pressures, institutional reforms, and European policy coordination reshaped protection against poverty and social risks. The purpose is to trace the shift from a fragmented, occupation linked model of benefits toward more targeted and standardized instruments, and to evaluate what this transition implies for policy effectiveness, benefit adequacy, social inclusion, and administrative accessibility. Methodologically, the study applies a literature review. The results indicate three broad developments. First, during the years of economic adjustment, Greece implemented extensive recalibration of contributory schemes, especially pensions, alongside measures that tightened eligibility and sought to consolidate governance and control expenditure. Second, the country institutionalized a nationwide last resort safety net through a minimum income scheme, which was designed to combine income support with pathways to social services and labour market reintegration. Third, welfare delivery gradually incorporated more centralized standards and digitalized procedures intended to reduce administrative barriers and improve transparency and take up, although implementation capacity remained uneven across territories. The study concludes that Greek social welfare has become more targeted, more formally integrated, and more instrument driven, yet it continues to face challenges related to benefit adequacy under high living costs, coverage gaps for precarious households, and variations in local service availability that limit the effectiveness of activation and social inclusion components. Recommendations emphasize strengthening the adequacy and responsiveness of minimum income and housing related supports, improving coordination between central administration and municipalities, investing in professionalized case management and enabling services, and using integrated data systems and outreach to reduce non take up among eligible groups.