Kyriakos Pierrakakis facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Kyriakos Pierrakakis
Κυριάκος Πιερρακάκης
Pierrakakis in 2025
Minister for the National Economy and Finance
Incumbent
Assumed office 15 March 2025
Prime Minister	Kyriakos Mitsotakis
Preceded by	Kostis Hatzidakis
President of the Eurogroup
Incumbent
Assumed office 11 December 2025
Preceded by	Paschal Donohoe
Minister for Education, Religious Affairs and Sports
In office 27 June 2023 – 14 March 2025
Prime Minister	Kyriakos Mitsotakis
Preceded by	Christos Kittas [el] (as Minister for Education and Religious Affairs)
Succeeded by	Sofia Zacharaki
Minister of State and Minister for Digital Governance
In office 9 July 2019 – 26 May 2023
Prime Minister	Kyriakos Mitsotakis
Succeeded by	Vassilios Skouris (as Minister of State) Sokratis Katsikas [el] (as Minister for Digital Governance)
Member of the Hellenic Parliament
Constituency	Athens A (2023–present)
Personal details
Born	(1983-08-08) 8 August 1983 (age 42) Athens, Greece
Political party	New Democracy (since 2016) PASOK (2012–2016)
Children	3
Education	Lycée Léonin
Alma mater	Athens University of Economics and Business (BSc) Harvard Kennedy School (MPP) Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MTP)

Kyriakos Pierrakakis (born in 1983) is a Greek computer scientist and political economist. He is currently the Minister for the National Economy and Finance in Greece. This means he helps manage the country's money and economy.

Since December 11, 2025, he has also been serving as the President of the Eurogroup. The Eurogroup is a meeting of finance ministers from countries that use the Euro currency. He was chosen for this important role by these ministers.

Before his current positions, Mr. Pierrakakis was the Minister for Digital Governance from 2019 to 2023. He also served as the Minister for Education, Religious Affairs and Sports from June 2023 to March 2025. He is a member of the Hellenic Parliament (the Greek Parliament) for Athens since 2023. He is widely recognized for leading Greece's progress in making government services more digital.

Early Life and Education

Kyriakos Pierrakakis was born in Athens, Greece, in 1983. He grew up in an area called Kato Patisia. His father, Stefanos, was a doctor, and his mother, Panagiota, was a lawyer. He is married and has three children.

In 2001, he graduated from the Lycée Léonin. He then studied computer science at the Athens University of Economics and Business until 2005. He also continued his studies abroad. He earned a Master's degree in Public Policy from Harvard University in 2007. Later, he received a Master's degree in Technology Policy from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) in 2009. Mr. Pierrakakis speaks Greek, English, and French.

Political Journey

After finishing his studies, Kyriakos Pierrakakis returned to Greece. He became the president of the Youth Institute. In this role, he worked to help young people start their own businesses. He also advised Minister Anna Diamantopoulou at the Ministry of Development.

From 2015 to 2019, he was a research director at "diaNEOsis." This is a research group that studies economic growth and public opinions in Greece. Mr. Pierrakakis started his political career in center-left politics. He was elected to the PASOK Political Committee in 2012. In 2014, he ran for the European Parliament. He also served on a Greek negotiation team during a time when Greece was working with international partners on its economy.

Later, he became involved with the New Democracy party. He helped create a plan to make Greece's government services more digital. On July 9, 2019, he became the Minister of State and Digital Governance. In the national elections of May 2023, he was elected to the Greek Parliament for Athens. He was re-elected in June of the same year.

Digital Transformation Efforts

As Minister for Digital Governance, Kyriakos Pierrakakis led a big effort to make Greece's public services digital. His work helped citizens and businesses use government services much more easily online.

Making Government Services Easier

He introduced important tools like `gov.gr`, which is an online platform for many government services. He also launched the `Gov.gr Wallet app` for digital IDs and driving licenses. The `MyHealth app` was created for electronic healthcare records. These tools helped increase the use of digital public services by 17.5% each year.

The `gov.gr` portal started on March 21, 2020. It now offers over 2,000 services. These include things like digital prescriptions and various official certificates.

To fight bureaucracy, his ministry launched a program to simplify procedures. They used the "once-only principle." This means citizens should not have to submit the same document twice. Instead, government services should share information with each other. For example, the birth registration process became much simpler. Parents could register a child's birth in one place, and all other government records updated automatically. In July 2022, the "Mitos" platform was launched. It helps citizens understand every step needed to use a government service.

Helping During the Pandemic

During the COVID-19 pandemic, the Ministry of Digital Governance played a key role. They created the 13033 service, which allowed citizens to send an SMS for essential movements during lockdowns. The #DigitalSolidarityGR initiative encouraged businesses to offer free services. The `ethelontes.gov.gr` platform helped people volunteer to support the healthcare system.

In early 2021, the ministry helped organize Greece's vaccination program. The `emvolio.gov.gr` system was praised internationally for its efficiency. It helped people book appointments and get vaccination certificates. Greece was the first country to create digital vaccination certificates. These certificates later became the model for the EU Digital COVID Certificate. The COVID-free GR app was also created in July 2021 to check these certificates.

Keeping Online Systems Safe

Mr. Pierrakakis focused a lot on cybersecurity. In October 2019, he set up rules to protect important national systems from cyberattacks. He also improved the operations of the European Union Agency for Cybersecurity (ENISA) in Greece. The ministry worked to upgrade and staff the National Cybersecurity Authority. In March 2020, Greece and Israel signed an agreement to work together on cybersecurity.

Building Better Internet Networks

Through the "Invest in Greece" law, the ministry made it easier to get licenses for antenna systems. This was very important for developing 5G mobile networks. In late 2020, Greece held an auction for 5G spectrum. This process was very fast, even during the pandemic. As a result, the first commercial 5G networks started in Greece in late 2021. Greece also became one of the first EU countries to allow satellite internet services like Starlink to operate.

New Laws for a Digital Future

Mr. Pierrakakis introduced several laws to support digital governance. One law established that government systems should always work together. Another law, "Invest in Greece," updated rules for antenna licensing and created plans for broadband internet. In June 2020, a law was passed to support audiovisual works and improve digital governance. In September 2020, the Law on Digital Governance and Electronic Communications was approved. This law updated rules for transparency and accessibility for people with disabilities. It also set up the "Faistos" Fund to help develop 5G applications and services. A part of the 5G spectrum was even reserved for educational programs and new businesses.

Improving Education

When Kyriakos Pierrakakis became Minister of Education in July 2023, he brought many changes to Greece's education system. He worked to create new laws and digital tools for learning.

Schools and Learning Programs

During the 2024-2025 school year, daily school life saw many improvements. Ten thousand new permanent teachers were appointed. Over 36,000 interactive whiteboards were installed in classrooms from 5th grade to 3rd grade high school. Greece also became the first country to link its school curriculum with the 17 UN sustainable development goals. New school rules were put in place for stricter teaching and discipline.

The "Digital Tutoring" program was established through a new law. It offers online learning for subjects in national exams and for all subjects from 5th grade and up. Career guidance was also improved with a "Digital School" app and free online sessions. Special "Autonomous Junior High classes" were created in remote areas to bring teachers to places like Gavdos.

Starting in 2024-2025, students began reading complete literary works in Literature classes. The eVivlio app was launched, giving students access to many educational audiobooks. Plans were also made for students to choose from multiple books.

The introduction of the International Baccalaureate (IB) program in public Model schools across the country was launched, aiming to start in September 2026. A large program called "Marietta Giannakou" began to upgrade school buildings. Public Onassis Schools were also established with support from the Onassis Foundation. These 22 schools help students in challenging areas develop their skills.

Fighting Bullying in Schools

In April 2024, the Ministry of Education launched a national plan to stop school violence and bullying. This plan included:

• Not allowing visible mobile phones in schools.
• Stricter rules for student behavior.
• The `stop-bullying.gov.gr` platform, where students and parents can report bullying incidents.
• Training programs for teachers and school leaders.
• Bringing back the difference between excused and unexcused absences.

A campaign with the Onassis Foundation helped raise awareness about bullying. A short film from this campaign even won an award at an international festival.

Higher Education and Global Connections

Kyriakos Pierrakakis worked to make Greek higher education more international. He allowed non-profit branches of foreign universities to operate in Greece. He also provided 82 million euros to help Greek public universities create joint study programs with universities abroad, like Harvard and Yale.

A new law in 2024 gave public universities more freedom and tools. It also strengthened Democritus University of Thrace and made the Hellenic Open University more independent. Funding for public universities increased, and 1,000 new staff members were hired in 2024-2025. Greece also signed an agreement to recognize study degrees from other European countries. This helps Greece become a hub for knowledge and student exchange.

Vocational Training for Future Jobs

With a law passed in 2024, Mr. Pierrakakis greatly improved vocational education and training. The goal was to make it a popular choice for young people. Vocational schools (IEK) were renamed Schools of Higher Vocational Training (SAEK) and offered 130 new specialties. About 60 Vocational Education and Training Centers (KEEK) were started. These centers connect training with the job market and local economy. Laboratory Centers also received 124 million euros worth of modern equipment.

Leading the Economy

On March 15, 2025, Kyriakos Pierrakakis became the Minister of National Economy and Finance. He focused on keeping Greece's finances stable, making the tax system more digital, and reducing paperwork.

On April 22, 2025, Greece announced that its finances were in good shape for 2024. Mr. Pierrakakis also announced ongoing support for families, students, and pensioners. He added 500 million euros annually to the Public Investment Program.

A law passed in April 2025 made it easier for more middle-class families to get help with debt settlement. He also ensured that the Greek State would stop appealing court decisions that helped victims of the Mati and Mandra tragedies. In May 2025, a rule was set that the state must try mediation to quickly resolve land registry disputes with citizens.

On April 18, 2025, the rating agency Standard & Poor’s upgraded Greece's economy to a good rating (BBB). On May 16, Fitch also kept Greece at an investment grade, showing a positive outlook for the country's economy. On December 11, 2025, Mr. Pierrakakis was elected president of the Eurogroup.

Global Recognition

Kyriakos Pierrakakis's work has received a lot of international attention. Other ministers, European officials, and leaders from international organizations have praised Greece's digital progress. He and the ministries he led have received several awards:

• In November 2021, the Ministry of Digital Governance won a top award from the World Information Technology and Services Alliance (WITSA).
• Greece's national vaccination program (`emvolio.gov.gr`) was recognized as one of the most effective worldwide.
• The 5G auction and the "Phaistos" Fund were seen as very innovative in the field of 5G networks.
• The 13033 SMS service received positive comments from the OECD and the European Commission.

In recognition of his work, the Council of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) elected Kyriakos Pierrakakis as Chairman of the Global Strategy Group in April 2021 and again in October 2024. This group helps member countries work together.

Writings and Research

• "The sustainable growth paradigm: implications for technology and policy" (2009)
• "Work Values in Politics: The European Union Debt Crisis as a Case Study" (2019, co-authored with Anna Diamantopoulou)

See also

In Spanish: Kyriakos Pierrakakis para niños