Greece suspends 275 schools due to demographic decline

Greece is facing a significant demographic crisis reflected in the widespread suspension of school operations due to a lack of students. Across the country, 275 school units will not operate this academic year.

Central Macedonia is among the hardest-hit regions, with the suspension of 99 kindergartens and 45 primary schools. In the Serres regional unit specifically, 20 schools—including 17 kindergartens and three primary schools—are being suspended. The number of children entering the first grade of primary school in Serres has dropped to 69,895, down from 71,094 the previous year.

Nationally, the number of students entering the first grade of primary school has decreased by approximately 30% over the last decade. Other affected regions include Eastern Macedonia-Thrace, with 48 school units, and Peloponnese, where 26 schools will close. Experts note that this decline is linked to broader issues including employment, income, housing, and the concentration of the population in Athens and Thessaloniki, which leaves provincial areas with shrinking local services and communities.