A recent ELSTAT report shows the extent of the demographic crisis Greece is experiencing, with significant decreases in births and increases in divorces in 2023.
Specifically, according to the data, births fall short of deaths by 56,646 people, a figure that demonstrates the country’s growing problem.
A fall in the birth rate
In 2023, births in Greece recorded a 6.1 percent drop compared to the previous year, amounting to 71,455 (36,622 boys and 34,833 girls). In contrast, the number of deaths was 128,101, a 9.0 percent decrease compared to 2022.
However, deaths still far exceed births, which deepens the demographic gap. Infant mortality also increased, with 248 deaths for infants under one year old, raising the rate from 3.1 in 2022 to 3.5 in 2023.
How family trends have changed
There has been a noticeably marked change in family dynamics. Total marriages in 2023 fell by 6.9 percent to 40,351, with a balance between religious (21,402) and civil (18,949) marriages, though there are still more church weddings than there are civil ones.
At the same time, cohabitation agreements increased by 17.4 percent, indicating a shift towards alternative forms of partnership. Of these, 262 agreements involve male couples and 121 female couples.
Divorces increased
The 4.4 percent increase in divorces in 2023, with a total of 15,114 cases, suggests a dynamic change in social structures.
Of these, 12,214 divorces were consensual (80.8 percent), with the majority being marriages lasting more than ten years. The age groups most affected are men aged 45-49 and women aged 40-44.
The ratio of divorces per 100 marriages increased to 37.5 in 2023 from 33.4 in 2022, indicating a growing trend in marital dissolution and change in personal relationships.
What’s next for the demographic problem?
The data included in the ELSTAT report demonstrate a clear demographic risk with significant social implications, which is part of the context of the economic and social pressures facing Greek households.
The decline in births and the rise in divorces indicate the need to rethink policies concerning the family and the support of the younger generation towards sustainable social change.
Demographic crisis: Βrain drain
The latest population census, in 2021, showed a 3.1 percent reduction in the total population in just ten years with a total of less than 10.5 million people.
This broadly corresponds to the economic crisis the country went through, which fueled the exodus of about half a million Greeks, especially among the young and educated segments of the population.
Those who remained in the country are still facing a difficult labor market recovery, characterized by high unemployment and low wages, making it even more difficult to create stable careers and families.
On Chios, an island of 50,000 people in the North Aegean, Euronews spoke to Mary and Nikos, a couple in their thirties who left Greece for the United States two years ago and only occasionally return for vacations. They reflected on their decision to emigrate, citing financial difficulties as the main reason.
“If you have to work 10 to 12 hours a day and don’t earn as much money as you want, how can you buy a house? And how can you have a family? You can’t,” Mary said. Nikos agreed with her, stating that while they love Greece, they can’t see themselves returning even if conditions improve.
Demographic crisis: The population is getting older
This is a stark reminder of where the country is headed, as low fertility rates (1.32 births per woman) and higher life expectancy are rapidly leading to a shrinking and aging population.
Greek economist Nikos Vettas highlights in speaking to Euronews the economic consequences of this demographic change, which is putting additional pressure on Greece’s pension system and health services. “The main problem,” Vettas said, “is that you will have a smaller number of people working. And now these people will have to support a large population of elderly people.”
However, Vettas adds that some measures can be taken to mitigate the problem. “We need to increase productivity in the country,” he said. “New technology should come in, encourage an influx of immigrants, especially in high productivity jobs.”
