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Greece demographic decline: Births fall 42% since 2009
Research from the Institute of Demographic Research and Studies (IDEM) reveals a significant demographic contraction in Greece. Between 2009 and 2024, annual births fell by approximately 42%, dropping from roughly 117,000 to 68,000. This long-term decline is attributed to falling intergenerational fertility, a shrinking population of women in reproductive ages (a 28% decrease in the 25-44 age group), and an increase in the average age of mothers from 26.2 to 32.2 years.
The decline is geographically uneven. Six mainland prefectures—Thesprotia, Grevena, Phthiotis, Kozani, Evrytania, and Florina—saw birth rates plummet by more than 50%. In contrast, island regions like the Cyclades and Zakynthos experienced much lower declines, staying below 15%.
Recent data from the first eight months of 2026 suggests a potential slowdown in the rate of decline. While annual births are still expected to be lower than in 2025, the year-on-year drop may be significantly less severe than in previous years, potentially due to recent economic and social support measures for families.
Entities
Byron Kotzamanis · Dimitra-Ines Angeli · Greece · Institute of Demographic Research and Studies · Ministry of Interior · Supreme Confederation of Large Families of Greece · Vyron Kotzamanis
Claims
What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.
- [● 2 SOURCES] The number of women aged 25-44 decreased by approximately 28% between 2009 and 2024. www.kalavrytanews.com · e-enimerosi.com
- [● 13 SOURCES] The Institute of Demographic Research and Studies released new findings regarding Greece's demographic shifts. www.thebest.gr · thracenews.gr · www.kalavrytanews.com · en.protothema.gr · www.newmoney.gr · +8 more
- [● 2 SOURCES] In 2024, only five regional units in Greece recorded more births than deaths: Thira, Mykonos, Kos, Naxos, and Rethymno. www.rethemnosnews.gr · www.diakonima.gr
- [● 14 SOURCES] Birth rates declined by over 50% in six mainland prefectures: Thesprotia, Grevena, Phthiotis, Kozani, Evrytania, and Florina. www.thebest.gr · www.kalavrytanews.com · en.protothema.gr · www.newmoney.gr · pelop.gr · +9 more
- [● 11 SOURCES] Zakynthos and the Cyclades saw birth rate declines of less than 15%. www.thebest.gr · en.protothema.gr · www.newmoney.gr · www.diakonima.gr · e-enimerosi.com · +6 more
- [● 13 SOURCES] The average age of women having children increased from 26.2 to 32.2 years. www.thebest.gr · thracenews.gr · www.kalavrytanews.com · en.protothema.gr · www.newmoney.gr · +8 more
- [● 9 SOURCES] Demography professor Byron Kotzamanis led the research on the decline in Greek births. thracenews.gr · www.kalavrytanews.com · e-ptolemeos.gr · www.diakonima.gr · e-enimerosi.com · +4 more
- [DISPUTED] Births in Greece fell by approximately 42% between 2009 and 2024, dropping from 117,000 to roughly 67,000. www.thebest.gr · thracenews.gr · www.kalavrytanews.com · en.protothema.gr · www.newmoney.gr · +11 more
- [● 2 SOURCES] Births in six mainland Greek prefectures (Thesprotia, Grevena, Phthiotis, Kozani, Evrytania, and Florina) decreased by more than 50%. www.lykavitos.gr · www.ieidiseis.gr
- [● 7 SOURCES] The annual fertility rate dropped from 2,200 births per 1,000 women in 1979-1980 to 1,240 in 2024-2025. kozan.gr · www.larissapress.gr · www.sofokleousin.gr · e-enimerosi.com · www.thebest.gr · +2 more
- [● 6 SOURCES] The average age of mothers at childbirth increased from 26.2 to 32.2 years. kozan.gr · www.larissapress.gr · www.lykavitos.gr · www.ieidiseis.gr · www.sofokleousin.gr
- [● 6 SOURCES] Annual births in Greece fell from approximately 117,000 in 2009 to about 67,000-68,000 in 2024. kozan.gr · www.larissapress.gr · www.lykavitos.gr · www.ieidiseis.gr · www.sofokleousin.gr