The economy is not convincing, and the pressure persists. Greece remains at the center of uncertainty

- International “Global Public Confidence” survey in 20 countries
by the IRIS Network and Focus Bari for Greece -

Focus Bari, as the exclusive member of the international IriS network in Greece, presents the findings of the IriS Global Public Confidence Study 2025, which captures citizens’ attitudes toward the economy in 20 countries worldwide.
This year’s picture shows an environment of stagnation and pressure, where improved perceptions of a country’s trajectory do not translate into corresponding economic optimism. Consumers are moving from a phase of reaction to a phase of adaptation, with uncertainty consistently influencing their behavior. In Greece, pressure remains high and consumption is becoming more selective, with an emphasis on essentials.
More specifically:
• The economy remains weak
Despite the reduced percentage of those who believe the country is heading in the wrong direction (50% in 2025 compared to 60% in 2024), more than one in two people worldwide (51%) believe the economy is weakening—a ratio that has remained stable over the past three years.
• Greece ranks among the most pessimistic markets
It records low levels of optimism regarding the country’s trajectory (69% believe it is heading in the wrong direction) and one of the highest rates of perception of a weak economy (67%), reflecting accumulated uncertainty.
• Pressure on households is easing, but remains high
Globally, 63% report greater difficulty making ends meet (compared to 69% in 2024). In Greece, stress levels are among the highest (87% in 2025 vs. 90% in 2024).
• Spending cuts are now widespread
Globally, 88% of people have cut back on at least one category. Lifestyle cuts are nearly universal, while healthcare spending remains the most protected. In Greece, cuts are extending even to essentials, indicating that financial reserves are running out.
• Geopolitical concern is the new normal
Although the survey was conducted in the fourth quarter of 2025, 91% express concern about global peace and security, with particular intensity in Europe.

• See the whole survey presentation here

New Nationwide Survey by Focus Bari on behalf of Applia Hellas

For the third consecutive year, Focus Bari, a research sponsor at Applia, conducted
a nationwide public survey on the topic “ESG: Change or Transformation? " with the aim of
capturing the attitudes, perceptions, and expectations of Greeks regarding the sustainability
of businesses.
The results were presented at the annual Applia Hellas conference on February 16,
February 2026 at the Athens Conservatory, attended by over 300 delegates, highlighting that
consumers need information and trust in companies, while the transition to
ESG practices requires a substantial transformation of corporate culture.
More specifically:

• Only 1 in 5 Greeks (21%) say they are familiar with the term ESG, while the
  majority perceive it as corporate social responsibility—an indication that the concept
  is understood more intuitively than consciously.
• More than three in four (77%) consider business sustainability
  to be important, confirming that it is a strong social demand, even in
  times of heightened economic pressure.
• However, when theory turns into action, only 44% say they are
  willing to pay more for green and socially responsible
  companies, highlighting both the trust deficit and the gap between
  perception and actual consumer behavior.
• Considering that the concept of sustainability, as well as the strategies and
  practices that comprise it, are in their “infancy” in Greece,
  three distinct consumer typologies emerge that shape the landscape,
  revealing different expectations and levels of engagement with the sustainability
  of businesses in the country.

See the whole survey presentation here

- New nationwide survey by Focus Bari –

The new nationwide survey by Focus Bari reflects citizens' perceptions and demands regarding defense and security in the country: The main findings show that Greeks recognize the need for defense investments, but set clear conditions for their implementation.
More specifically:
- Necessary, but not unconditional: 46% of Greeks consider defense investments necessary, but only one in three (36%) supports further increases in spending.

- Information increases acceptance: 57% of citizens who are informed about defense issues believe that the multi-year equipment program benefits the country
(compared to 37% overall).

- Strong support for the Greek defense industry: Almost four in five (79%) informed citizens consider its participation in equipment programs to be important
(compared to 65% overall).

- Demand for domestic benefit and transparency: 64% of citizens want defense funds to be directed mainly to Greek companies, while two in three (68%) believe that there is a lack of transparency in their management.

See the whole survey presentation here

New B2B survey of senior executives by Focus Bari on behalf of E.A.S.E.

Focus Bari conducted a B2B survey on behalf of EASE, targeting senior
business executives and entrepreneurs on the topic of "The Paradox of Failure,"
exploring the management of failure through the eyes of leadership.
The results were presented at the event:
Leadership Summit | The Failure Paradox: Redefining Success through Setbacks
on October 15, 2025, at the Goulandris Museum. The survey revealed that failure is not
only an event, but also a reflection of corporate culture. More
specifically:

• Failure: discussion or silence? Half of the organizations (49%) say that
  failures are often discussed openly at the leadership level, while 24% say that
  such dialogue rarely or never takes place.
• Fear of failure does not affect everyone in the same way: 19% of leaders say
  it has a deterrent effect and "freezes" their actions, while 36% say it is minor or
  non-existent, serving more as a preparatory element than an obstacle.
• Fear of failure becomes a stumbling block to progress, leading to
  micromanagement and blame culture (55%), procrastination on critical decisions (52%)
  and a restriction on innovation (48%).
• Recovery from failure is built through collective learning, with
  the most important factors being calm assessment without assigning blame (70%),
  frank communication with the team and stakeholders (59%), and support from
  leadership (52%).

See the whole survey presentation here

New Pan-Hellenic Social Survey by Focus Bari

Focus Bari conducted a nationwide social survey on behalf of Game of Money entitled "From fasina to fintech: Where Greek women stand today," exploring the position of women in vital areas of modern life.

The results were presented at the Game of Money Festival 2025 on November 16 at the Athens Conservatory, demonstrating that, despite progress over time, gender equality continues to be experienced differently by men and women, with women questioning its implementation in practice more strongly. More specifically:

• Equality with cracks: Only 36% of the population says that women and men now have equal opportunities, with the percentage varying dramatically between men (51%) and women (23%). At the same time, 81% of women believe that men support equality mainly in theory, compared to 43% of men.

• Two-speed careers: 4 in 10 Greeks (41%) believe that there are equal opportunities for professional advancement, with the difference doubling between the two genders (46% men - 22% women). Similarly, 2 in 3 women (66%) say that the pay gap remains an obstacle, compared to 34% of men.

• Silent undermining in the workplace: 66% of women say that micromanagement practices (e.g., interrupting) mainly target women, compared to 30% of men, highlighting two different experiences in the workplace.

• Pressure from within: The only area of convergence between men and women concerns competition among women, revealing a less visible but significant dimension of internal misogyny.

See the whole survey presentation here

New nationwide survey by Focus Bari on behalf of Game of Money

Focus Bari conducted a nationwide social survey on behalf of Game of Money entitled "Cohabitation or contract? When finances enter the relationship," exploring how couples perceive financial cohabitation.

The results were presented at the Game of Money Festival 2025 on November 16 at the Athens Conservatory, highlighting how money acts as a determining factor of balance, trust, and dynamics in modern relationships.
More specifically:

• Almost universal acceptance of transparency: 9 out of 10 Greeks (90%) believe that finances should be discussed openly and honestly within a relationship, confirming that transparency is the foundation of trust.

• Autonomy with limits, not secrets: 4 out of 5 citizens (80%) consider financial privacy to be legitimate, and only 28% accept the systematic concealment of financial information.

• Financial independence as a modern value: 3 in 5 Greeks (60%) believe that both partners should maintain financial independence. This percentage rises to 73% among Millennials, with women also being particularly positive about financial independence (69%) compared to men (51%).

• Equality remains a challenge: although joint management is considered ideal by the majority, almost 1 in 2 Greeks (48%) recognize that financial inequality can create imbalances in the dynamics of a relationship.

• See the whole survey presentation here

New nationwide survey “Customer Experience Stories” by Focus Bari: Part B

Focus Bari's new nationwide survey, "CX Stories: The Next Era – The Power of Experience", conducted twice a year (spring and fall), records the authentic voices of Greek consumers through real-life everyday service experiences, highlighting needs and trends in customer experience.

Specifically, in part B, we observe:

• Digital transformation upgrades the service experience:

55% say that new technologies make service faster and more immediate, while 68% now feel more familiar with digital tools (chatbot, voice.ai, etc.)

• Technology is preferred for simple requests, while human contact is preferred for difficult ones:

63% believe that new technologies provide more immediate service for routine matters, while 60% seek human presence for more demanding issues.

• The positive attitude of Greeks towards Artificial Intelligence is strengthening:

Acceptance of AI in customer service has increased from 55% (April) to 62% (October), with the main reasons being its availability (52%) and immediacy (41%).

• The human dimension remains crucial for a positive experience.

Speed and consistency build trust, but authentic connection and care are the elements that transform a simple service into a lasting experience.

See the whole presentation of the “CX Stories” B wave_partB_ 2025 here

New nationwide survey "Customer Experience Stories" by Focus Bari

The new nationwide survey "CX Stories: The Next Era – The Power of Experience" by Focus Bari, conducted every spring and fall, captures the authentic voices of Greek consumers through real-life everyday service experiences. Specifically, in part A, we observe:

• Experiences are shared and shape trends:
74% of Greeks read reviews before making a purchase, and roughly the same percentage
(71%) share their service experiences with friends or on social media.
Experiences, whether positive or negative, leave their mark on the image of every
business/organization.

• The person behind the service makes the difference.
Directness (54%), politeness (42%), and training (40%) are the key
factors that transform a simple transaction into a relationship of trust. Conversely,
delays (58%), indifference (48%), and irresponsibility (48%)
weaken the connection and reduce loyalty.

• The digital environment is the new "front line" of experience.
Online service now plays an equal role to physical service. Customers seek
a human connection behind the screen with speed, transparency, and consistency.

• Experience is a strategic investment — not just an operation.
Positive service is not a matter of luck, but of culture. In the new hybrid
environment of physical and digital contact, consistency, responsibility, and
humanity are no longer "expectations," but the core of trust and
substantial differentiation.

See the whole presentation of the “CX Stories” A wave 2025 here

- The new special edition of Focus on Tech Life Tips by Focus Bari -

According to the new edition of Focus on Tech Life by Focus Bari, which has been conducted nationwide since 1995, in combination with data from YouGov profiles that monitor public trends in relation to the use of technology, the following observations can be made:

• More than two out of three Greeks say that 5G significantly improves their digital everyday life, implying speed, reliability, and new possibilities.

• The internet is now an integral part of everyday life, with citizens actively participating in every corner of the country — from news and entertainment to shopping and communication.

• The public shows the greatest interest in gastronomy, entertainment, and health, turning the internet into a mirror and an aid to their interests.

• Online shopping has become a way of life — 7 out of 10 Greeks have made online purchases in the last 6 months, confirming an explosive increase compared to 2019.

• Younger people and women are setting the pace of social networking, making social media the ultimate space for expression, information, and influence.

See the whole survey presentation here

- International survey "Global Public Confidence" in 21 countries by the IRIS Network and Focus Bari for Greece -

Focus Bari, which represents the International Research Institutes (IRIS) network in Greece, participated in an important survey on "GLOBAL PUBLIC CONFIDENCE" concerning critical issues of our time. The survey was designed and implemented on the initiative of the Network in collaboration with research institutions from 21 countries.
The findings presented in this publication: "Global Trends and Perceptions of Artificial Intelligence" reveal:

• Artificial Intelligence (AI) is now a global issue: More than 8 out of 10 people worldwide have heard of AI and its applications – with Greece moving at the same pace as the international average.

• Being informed does not always mean understanding: Although most people are familiar with the term, only 1 in 3 say they understand what AI is and how it works – with significant differences from country to country.

• AI is gradually entering everyday life, but more slowly in the workplace: People around the world are using it more and more in their personal lives, but its professional use remains limited – with varying degrees of adoption by country and Greece following the international trend.

• Greeks are "divided" on AI:
Three trends emerge, according to FOCUS BARI's longitudinal study on AI – the positive, the cautious (positive under certain conditions) and a group that remains negative, expressing concern and distrust about its implications.

See the whole survey presentation here