Thymaina island faces school closures amid Greek demographic decline

The small Aegean island of Thymaina has become a symbol of Greece’s demographic crisis, with its primary school now serving only two students. The island, which has approximately 60 permanent residents, faces significant challenges including geographic isolation, high living costs, and a lack of educational facilities for older children. Local teenagers must commute by boat to the neighboring island of Fournoi to attend secondary school.

This local issue reflects a broader national trend of population aging and declining birth rates across Greece. According to national statistics, the country recorded 57,564 more deaths than births between 2024 and 2025. Consequently, the Greek Ministry of Education recently announced the closure of 43 kindergartens and 32 primary schools due to insufficient enrollment. Approximately one-quarter of the Greek population is now over the age of 65, while those under 14 make up less than 13 percent of the population.