In addition, despite the fact that structural competitiveness improved over the period 2013-2014 (according to a number of indices compiled by the OECD, the  3  World Bank, and the World Economic Forum), Greece still ranks at the lower end of advanced economies, and progress has stalled or even retreated slightly in recent years. 3.
The volume of euro banknotes in circulation, which increases by around 5% a year and has been in excess of € trillion since the end of 2014, clearly demonstrates this. But nowadays, there is also a wealth of cards – ranging from prepaid cards to contactless cards. Moreover, smartphone and e-mail-based methods offer new channels to existing payment procedures.