# Greek demographic crisis and population decline > Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/greek-demographic-crisis-and-population-decline > Updated: 2026-09-08T04:15:04.000Z. Sources: 41. Developments: 7. Greece continues to face a severe demographic crisis characterized by rapid aging and declining birth rates. With a median age of 47.2 years as of 2025, the country is the fourth-oldest in the EU. The fertility rate remains critically low at approximately 1.3 children per woman, well below the replacement level of 2.1. This decline has caused acute pressure on the education system. In the last three years, approximately 100 schools, primarily primary and nursery schools, have closed as the country lost 21,000 children. For the 2026-2027 school year, the Ministry of Education has planned the abolition of an additional 75 units, including 43 nursery schools and 32 primary schools. Parallel to these demographic shifts, international PISA research indicates a global decline in student performance, particularly in reading comprehension and mathematics. While Greek performance showed signs of stabilization supported by digital infrastructure and the skills4life platform, the broader trend reflects a general decline in academic outcomes. Looking ahead, Greece will implement 51 new curricula starting in 2027 and will participate in financial literacy assessments in 2029. In response to the crisis, Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis has detailed a demographic support package. A central component is the ‘Koumparas for the New Generation’ (Piggy Bank for the New Generation), a specialized investment account for children opened within their first two years of life. Scheduled to launch in January 2027, the program is designed for children born from 2025 onwards and features no income or wealth criteria. Under this initiative, the state will match parental contributions up to an initial annual limit of €1,200, a limit set to increase by 10% every five years. Funds, which may include mutual funds, stocks, or bonds, are to remain locked until the child reaches age 18. The program could potentially affect approximately 150,000 children. ## Timeline ### 2026-09-08: Greece to launch state-matched investment savings for children Greece will launch a state-matched investment savings account for children in 2027, providing up to €1,200 in annual government contributions to help build capital for their adulthood. 9 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/greece-announces-state-matched-savings-scheme-for-children ### 2026-09-05: Greece announces state-matched investment account for children Greek PM Kyriakos Mitsotakis announced the ‘Koumparas for the New Generation,’ a state-matched investment account for children designed to build capital for their adulthood by age 18. 22 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/kyriakos-mitsotakis-announces-new-greek-demographic-support-measures ### 2026-09-01: Greece prepares social support package to address demographic crisis The Greek government is planning a package of measures to combat demographic decline, including increased child allowances, enhanced support for three-child families, and expanded pensioner benefits. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/greece-prepares-social-support-package-to-address-demographic-crisis ### 2026-08-19: Greece suspends 275 schools due to demographic decline Greece is suspending 275 schools this academic year due to a declining student population, a trend driven by a national demographic crisis and population concentration in major urban centers. 3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/greece-suspends-275-schools-due-to-demographic-decline ### 2026-08-18: Greece faces rapid demographic aging and declining birth rates Greece is facing rapid demographic aging and low birth rates, with a median age of 47.2 years, threatening its future labor supply, pension systems, and economic growth. 4 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/greece-faces-rapid-demographic-aging-and-declining-birth-rates ### 2026-08-09: Greece reports marginal increase in Q1 2026 births amid long-term decline Greece saw a marginal 0.4% increase in births in Q1 2026, but long-term data shows a 22% decline in births over the last five years, highlighting a continuing demographic crisis. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/greece-reports-marginal-increase-in-q1-2026-births-amid-long-term-decline ### 2026-08-07: Greece addresses demographic crisis with family-focused policies Greece is addressing a demographic crisis through new government policies, including tax incentives for large families and increased social benefits to combat declining birth rates. 5 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/greece-faces-demographic-crisis-as-large-families-decline --- Cite as: Greek demographic crisis and population decline. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/greek-demographic-crisis-and-population-decline