From looking quite closely, it was apparent that the tax evasion story was a bit overblown. I don't know where the tax revenue is coming from, maybe corporate taxes, but Greece was averaging 9.7k per capita in taxes, which was on the high side

I'm not sure about the absolute number, but on a per capita basis, Greece has the lowest tax revenue as a % of GDP of all EU15 members and quite a few EU27 members. This is due to both large tax evasion and a low and diminishing corporate tax and a skewed tax structure. Note too that (I can't find the stats right now, but take my word for it!) indirect taxes are not so lagging as per the EU (although VAT theft is an issue as well).

I'm not sure about the numbers regarding pensions and public sector wages either. The numbers I've seen are at 9% of GDP and that is close to 35% of public expenditures, 45% if you only count primary expenditures which I think some do, but never mention... anything beyond that requires statistical alchemy AFAICS. The numbers don't add up otherwise. This is the budget for 2009 (in greek!).

As for working in Greece: the pay and the conditions used to be horrible. Now they will be intolerable. I expect (and I am seeing already) a huge exodus of young, talented and highly trained people...

The road of excess leads to the palace of wisdom - William Blake