Greece school population declines by 21,000 in three years

Greece is experiencing a significant demographic crisis that is reshaping its educational landscape. Over the past three years, the country has seen a decline of approximately 21,000 students, with the most severe impact felt in kindergartens and primary schools.

This shrinking student population has led to the closure of about 100 primary educational units within a three-year period. For the 2026-2027 school year alone, the Ministry of Education has moved to abolish 75 school units, consisting of 43 kindergartens and 32 primary schools.

The closures are most prevalent in Thessaly, followed by the Peloponnese, Central Greece, Central Macedonia, and Western Macedonia. Notably, the decline is no longer confined to small or remote villages; the reduction in student numbers is increasingly being observed in larger urban centers, indicating a widespread demographic contraction that is beginning to affect secondary education as well.