Young Greeks completely unaware of country’s leading role in shipping

Greek researcher, Focus Bari, conducted a survey on 'The perceptions of Greeks and the challenges in Shipping'.

In a sample of 1,005 people it was found that though Greek shipowners manage the largest shipping fleet in the world, pay very well, invest in land-based businesses in Greece, and carry out important social welfare projects, only 13% of Greeks are aware of the leading role of Greek shipping, while all but 1% of young people are completely unaware of the fact.

According to the nationwide survey by Athens-based  Focus Bari, regarding the Greeks' perceptions of commercial shipping and the challenges facing the industry, it is found Greek children are unaware of the importance of shipping.

Although 45% of respondents consider Greek merchant shipping as very developed, young people have the opposite opinion. The survey found 53% of Greeks would not choose or would not suggest to one of their relatives to choose a career in shipping.

Although 64% of citizens assess Greek commercial shipping will develop in the future, only 26% consider it an important source of revenue for the national economy.

Focus Bari's research showed the following: Almost one in two Greeks rate Greek commercial shipping as "very developed." This opinion is expressed mainly by men, older people and residents mainly of Athens, but also of Thessaloniki, while the 18-24 age groups do not consider it so developed.

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Is Greece's first place in world shipping recognised? Only 13% of citizens are aware of its international leading position, and 99% of young people completely unaware of the fact . About 64% of Greeks foresee growth in Greek merchant shipping in the future, a trend that is more pronounced among men and older people.

Greeks recognise the importance of shipping for the national economy, but only 26% consider it a particularly important source of revenue for the country's economy. Despite the recognition of shipping's contribution to the national economy, approximately one in two middle-aged Greeks state it does not contribute at all.

Only one in four citizens believe shipping offers important career prospects and contributes to employment in Greece.