"Stagnant" students double in Greece during crisis, graduates look for jobs abroad: survey

The number of Greece's "stagnant" students, which means those remain enrolled at universities for years without completing their studies, doubled within 12 years, according to a survey published on Wednesday by the daily newspaper "Ta Nea" (The News).

On the occasion of the next four-year planning, the Ministry of Education collected the data to assess the condition of the higher education system in the debt-laden country.

The figures show that the number of "stagnant" students in Greek universities and technical colleges had increased to 328,742 in 2014 from 163,037 in 2003.

The prolonged debt crisis in the country has contributed significantly to the increasing number of the so-called "eternal students," according to experts.

Many students abandon their studies due to the lack of financial support from their families, especially if they study away from their home, researchers found.

The results of the survey were discouraging for the graduates as well.

Due to the economic crisis, one out of 10 graduates goes abroad to look for a job, the survey showed.

Those who decided to stay in Greece were in dire straits with youth unemployment reaching approximately 45 percent.

Before the economic meltdown, a 70.1 percent of the graduates aged from 20 to 34 years old had a job. By 2014 that percentage had declined to 45.4 percent.

In addition, officials also noted the vague connection between the higher education and the labor market. Enditem