Greece is facing a critical shortage of university professors, with the country's rates standing at 0.44% of the active population and 0.19% of the total population, compared to the EU averages of 0.72% and 0.34% respectively. This stark deficiency means that Greek universities have almost half the number of professors found in other European countries, significantly impacting the quality of higher education. Countries such as France and Italy share similar low percentages, but nations like Norway, Austria, Germany, Croatia, and Switzerland boast much higher figures ranging from 0.75% to 0.50% of the total population.

The situation is even more alarming when compared to nations such as Portugal, which has more than double the number of professors relative to Greece, despite having undergone similar economic hardships in the past. This raises questions about the effectiveness of Greece's educational policies and the investment in academic infrastructure necessary to attract and retain faculty members. Portugal, which lagged behind Greece in the 1980s, now outperforms Greece in various sectors due to its commitment to academic excellence and investment in education.

Furthermore, Bulgaria's academic system also outperforms Greece, having nearly double the number of professors, making it a more attractive destination for foreign students. This educational deficit not only threatens the future of Greek higher education but also poses a risk to the nation's competitiveness and innovation potential in the global market, highlighting an urgent need for reform in Greece's university staffing processes and broader educational strategy.