Greece faces demographic crisis and youth housing shortages

Greece is facing significant demographic and social challenges characterized by a declining birth rate and a severe housing shortage for young people. According to Eurostat data, Greece experiences some of the highest housing pressures for individuals aged 15–29 in the European Union. Approximately 48.4% of this age group lives in overcrowded conditions, a figure significantly higher than the national average of 28.3%.

Due to economic difficulties and limited housing availability, young Greeks leave their parental homes at an average age of 30.9 years, ranking third in the EU behind Croatia and Slovakia. This delay in independence contributes to increased overcrowding in family residences.

Simultaneously, the country is grappling with a deepening demographic crisis. ELSTAT data shows that births in Greece fell from 84,764 in 2020 to 68,467 in 2024, with a total fertility rate of approximately 1.2 children per woman—well below the replacement level of 2.1. The population is also aging rapidly; the median age in Greece reached 47.2 years in 2025, reflecting one of the largest increases in age among EU member states.