Greece faces rapid demographic aging and declining birth rates

New data from Eurostat indicates that Greece is aging more rapidly than most of the European Union, presenting significant long-term economic and social challenges. As of 2025, Greece’s median age has reached 47.2 years, making it the fourth-oldest country in the EU, following Italy, Bulgaria, and Portugal. This represents an eight-year increase in median age over the last two decades, one of the sharpest rises in the bloc.

The demographic shift is characterized by a shrinking youth population and a growing elderly cohort. People aged 80 and over now account for approximately 7% of the population, while children under 15 make up only 12% to 13%. Birth rates remain critically low, with 6.6 live births per 1,000 residents in 2024 and a fertility rate of approximately 1.3 children per woman, well below the replacement level of 2.1.

Economic implications include a diminishing working-age population, which threatens to reduce the tax base, tighten labor markets, and increase pressure on pension and healthcare systems. Factors such as housing costs and economic insecurity have also contributed to a trend of postponed motherhood, with 11% of births in 2024 occurring to mothers aged 40 or older.