Population decline forecasts and their significance for Greece

Greece is facing a serious demographic challenge that could permanently change the country in the coming decades. Studies show that Greece could experience an above-average decline in population compared to other EU countries. A decrease of up to 30 % is forecast by 2070, which low birth rates and high emigration figures will favor. Compared to countries such as France or Germany, which stabilize their populations through migration, Greece is facing a more severe demographic crisis.

A low for the century: Greece’s birth rate in 2022

With fewer than 77,000 births in 2022, Greece reached its lowest level of births in almost a century. This historic low shows how strongly economic uncertainty and the exodus of young people are affecting family formation. In this difficult situation, dua.com plays a special role by enabling singles to find suitable partners and thus contribute to starting a family. Our aim is to connect people and support them on their way to starting a family, which could also help to stabilize the population in the long term.

Increased mortality rate: the widening gap between births and deaths

Another worrying aspect is the growing imbalance between the number of births and deaths. The number of deaths now exceeds the number of births, which is leading to an accelerated aging of the population. In the long term, this means a decline in the number of people of working age and an increasing burden on the pension and healthcare system, as fewer and fewer workers are available to care for a growing older generation.

Economic challenges: The impact on population trends

Greece’s economic difficulties are having a major impact on demographic trends in the country. High unemployment and the emigration of young people are exacerbating the demographic trend. Below are some key facts that illustrate the current situation:

• Youth unemployment: Greece has one of the highest youth unemployment rates in Europe, at 20% in recent years.
• Emigration: Since the financial crisis of 2009, over 500,000 young Greeks have left the country in search of better opportunities abroad.
• Birth rate: The birth rate has fallen to 1.3 children per woman, far below the level of 2.1 required for a stable population.
• Economic growth: The Greek economy has been slow to recover since the crisis, prompting many young people to leave Greece and not return.
• Age structure: Over 23% of the population is over 65 years old, which further increases the pressure on the social security system.

Government measures: Can political strategies stop the trend? 

The Greek government has taken various measures to slow down demographic change and increase the birth rate. Here are some concrete facts:

• Tax relief: Families with children benefit from tax concessions, especially for large families.
• Parental allowance and child benefit: Incentives such as higher child benefits and financial support for newborns have been introduced. For example, parents have received 2,000 euros for every newborn since 2020.
• Improving childcare: The government has extended childcare hours in kindergartens to make it easier for parents to reconcile work and family life.
• Promoting the housing situation: Young families can benefit from subsidized housing programs.
• Rural regions: There are special subsidies for families living in rural areas to prevent migration.

Despite these efforts, it remains uncertain whether these measures will be enough to reverse the demographic trend. We at dua.com could have an additional positive impact on these efforts by promoting relationships and helping people to start families.

Greece vs. Europe: A unique challenge in demographic change

Compared to other EU countries, Greece’s demographic situation is particularly critical. At 1.3 children per woman, the birth rate is well below the EU average, while countries such as France (1.79) and Sweden (1.76) have more stable rates thanks to migration and strong family support. In addition, migration stabilizes the population in countries such as Germany, while Greece is further weakened by the emigration of young people. The economic uncertainty in Greece, in contrast to more stable countries, additionally increases the inhibition of starting a family.