Xinhua — The number of Greece’s “eternal ” students, those who 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”.
Data collected by the Ministry of Education show that the number of “eternal” 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 this group, according to experts.
Many students abandon their studies due to the lack of financial means,as support is expected to come from their families, especially if they study away from home, researchers found.
The results of the survey were discouraging for successful 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 are in dire straits with youth unemployment reaching approximately 45 percent.
Before the economic meltdown, a 70.1 percent of the graduates in the age group 20 to 34 had a job. By 2014 that percentage declined to 45.4 percent.
