Real GDP contracted in 2009 as the effects of the global crisis gradually spread to the Greek economy. Economic activity is projected to contract somewhat further in the last quarter of 2009 and early 2010, as domestic demand continues to decelerate in the face of tight credit conditions and weak sentiment. The recent improvement in the external environment should help activity to pick up slowly, and growth could gather momentum in 2011. The unemployment rate is set to reach a double-digit level over the projection period. The current account deficit is likely to remain high.

Growth weakened in 2008 under the weight of the global economic crisis, despite a sound financial sector and sustained domestic demand. Activity is expected to contract in 2009 on the back of weakening exports, and to recover only slowly in 2010 as the external environment improves.

Economic activity has already weakened due to slowing domestic demand. Growth is expected to be subdued until mid-2009 in the context of a sluggish external environment, but to firm gradually thereafter. Inflation is set to decline, but the persistent differential with the euro area is likely to remain.

Activity has been strong so far in 2007, despite the impact of forest fires and a slowing of housing investment towards a more sustainable level. Growth is set to weaken in 2008, before edging up to around 4% in 2009. Inflation is likely to rise in light of demand pressures and the current account deficit is expected to remain large.

Though legend has it that the ancient Olympic Games were founded by Heracles, a son of Zeus, the very first Olympics of the modern era took place in Athens, in 1896. The government at the time was unable to fund construction of a stadium, so a wealthy architect donated a million drachmas (over $100,000) to restore and use the Panathenaic Stadium, originally built in 330 BC.