Apr. 3, 2023
Greece has been experiencing a decline in population since 2005, with numbers dropping from 11.23 million to 10.42 million in 15 years. This trend is projected to continue, resulting in a population of 9.03 million by 2050 and 6.61 million by 2099. Contributing factors to this decline include a very low fertility rate of 1.3 births per woman, emigration, the financial crisis, and an aging population.
The low birth rate may be attributed to several factors such as education levels, economic instability, women’s unemployment, and the government’s lack of efforts to encourage fertility. This population decline has negative impacts on the economy, such as decreased economic activity, reduced labour force due to an aging population, and increased emigration. These factors create a cycle that exacerbates the population decline.
Decrease in Birth-rate
Hospitals in Greece have reported a 10 per cent decrease in births over the past four years, indicating a decline in the country’s birth-rate. According to officials, families are unable to afford the costs associated with having children. This decline in live births, which is unprecedented in Europe, highlights the impact of austerity measures in Greece, which has been at the centre of the Eurozone’s financial problems.
While the ongoing Eurozone crisis is undoubtedly a factor, it is not the sole reason for Greece’s population decline. Despite being known as a destination for migrants, the number of foreign nationals moving to Greece may not be as significant as previously thought.
Greece Population Projections
Greece’s population is expected to continue declining in the coming years, albeit at a relatively slow pace. Projections indicate that the annual growth rate, which was -0.16 per cent in 2019, will decrease to -0.5 per cent by 2050. As a result, changes in population size are not expected to be dramatic. The projections suggest that Greece’s population will be 11,102,572 in 2020, 10,783,625 in 2030, 10,451,869 in 2040, and 9,981,568 in 2050.
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