The eurozone is emerging from its devastating debt crisis but life in Greece -- where the bloc 's financial meltdown began -- remains a struggle for many . CNN has tracked a group of Greek citizens since 2012 , and revisited them* for an update on life in the country after years of austerity . They told CNN wages continue to be cut , healthcare is suffering and that leaving the country can seem the only option . George Pentafronimos , an IT consultant who left Greece to live in Luxembourg , says leaving the country was one of the most difficult decisions he 's made , but one he does n't regret . Others , like Manos Kallimikrakis , have stayed but lost their jobs as cutbacks kicked in . Kallimikrakis has struggled to survive on savings and family support , and says the country needs a new economic model . Greece , bailed out in 2010 then again in 2012 at a combined cost of 240 billion euros , returned to the bond markets in April , raising three billion euros on robust demand . Economic indicators suggest it is slowly emerging from six years of recession , with unemployment figures released Friday showing a slight dip from 27.2 % in December , to 26.7 % . Greek unemployment remains the highest in the eurozone , above Spain at 25.3 % . Youth unemployment across the euro area has also dropped slightly , but remains highest in Greece , at 56.8 % . The figures come after demonstrators across the world took to the streets for May Day , or International Workers Day . Those spoken to by CNN say life on the ground in Greece is frustrating and tough , and the economic figures do not capture the hardship of the austerity-hit economy . According to Kostis Papaioannou , the austerity has fed dangerous social upheaval and he is hoping the country will soon reach and recover from `` the point where it will not get worse . '' Click the buttons above to hear their stories . *Three of the original nine interviewees were unavailable for interview .
Unemployment figures show the euro area is slowly emerging from years of crisis . The European Central Bank has been pumping billions into banks and other financial institutions to keep them afloat since mid-2009. CNN has spoken to Greek citizens over time to find out how their lives have changed . Many are struggling , and say leaving their homeland can seem the only option .