Greek Demographic Decline is a Serious Problem

Greece’s demographic decline is emerging as one of the country’s most significant long-term challenges, raising concerns about the future of its workforce, economic growth and social welfare system. New data published by Eurostat in its Demography of Europe 2026 report show that Greece is ageing faster than most of its European Union peers, while recording persistently low levels of population renewal through births.

The figures highlight several demographic indicators that point to mounting pressures in the decades ahead.

Greece among the oldest countries in the EU

As of Jan. 1, 2025, Greece’s median age stood at 47.2 years, making it the fourth-oldest country in the European Union, behind only Italy (49.1 years), Bulgaria (47.3 years) and Portugal (47.3 years). The EU average was 44.9 years.

The pace of ageing is particularly striking. Between 2005 and 2025, Greece’s median age increased by eight years, from 39.2 to 47.2 years, marking the third-largest increase in the bloc after Romania and Portugal.

Demographers warn that the trend points to a shrinking working-age population and a growing burden on pension and social security systems as the ratio of workers to retirees continues to deteriorate.

Rapid growth in the over-80 population

At the same time, the share of Greeks aged 80 and above has risen to 7% of the total population, placing Greece alongside Germany and Portugal among the EU countries with the highest proportions of very elderly residents.

While longer life expectancy reflects advances in healthcare and living standards, experts note that population ageing becomes increasingly challenging when coupled with low birth rates.

Over the past two decades, the proportion of people aged over 80 in Greece has increased by three percentage points, underscoring the growing need for long-term healthcare services, elderly care facilities and expanded social support systems.

Fewer young people

At the opposite end of the demographic spectrum, children under the age of 15 account for only about 12% to 13% of Greece’s population.

The combination of a growing elderly population and a shrinking share of young people highlights the ongoing inversion of Greece’s demographic pyramid, a trend that policymakers and economists have repeatedly identified as a major threat to the country’s long-term economic and social sustainability.

The latest Eurostat data reinforce concerns that without a sustained increase in births, immigration or workforce participation, Greece will face increasing demographic pressures in the years ahead.

Source: tovima.com