Demographic situation
Greece is located at the last southern part of continental Europe and covers an area of 132,049 square kilometres.
According to the results of the Population Census - Residential Population Census in 2021, the permanent population of the country reached 10.432.481 persons,
of which 5,075,249 are men (48.6%) and 5,357,232 are women (51.4%).
Source: Hellenic Statistical Authority
Population
Τhe permanent population refers to the number of persons having their usual residence in each region, regional unit, municipality, municipal unit, municipal or local community and settlement of the country. The Permanent Population includes all persons, regardless of their nationality (Greek or other country), who, during the population - housing census 2021, declared their place of usual residence within the Greek territory.
Source: ELSTAT, Greece in Figures, April - June 2024
Population trends
The population structure of Greece continues to change significantly, with the main trends being the ageing of the population and the decline in the total number of inhabitants. According to the most recent data of the Hellenic Statistical Authority (ELSTAT), the population of the country in 2024 is estimated at around 10.1 million, a decrease compared to 10.3 million in 2021. Projections indicate a further decline, with the population expected to reach 8.9 million by 2050. The proportion of people over 65 years of age is steadily increasing, while younger age groups are declining, affecting the labour market and the pension system. At the same time, urbanisation continues, with the share of the population living in urban areas increasing, albeit at a slower pace in recent years. Migration continues to affect population dynamics, with the outflow of skilled labour posing a major challenge for the country. Overall, demographic developments in Greece point to the need for immediate policy interventions to address the challenges of an ageing population, a declining labour force and continued urbanisation.
Source: ELSTAT, Annual Statistical Programme 2024
Unemployment
In Q4 2024 the unemployment rate reached 9.5%, with the number of employed persons reaching 4,278,704, a decrease of 1.0% compared to the previous quarter and an increase of 2.3% compared to the corresponding quarter of the previous year.
At the start of the year 2025 unemployment fell further to 8.7%. The number of employed persons amounted to 4,288,284.
Source: ELSTAT-Daily News
Immigration
Greece continues to manage migration flows and provide support to vulnerable groups, such as unaccompanied minors.
Unaccompanied Minors
By March 2025, the estimated number of unaccompanied minors in Greece reached 2,641, an increase compared to previous months. Their distribution is as follows:
- Gender:
o Boys: 92%.
o Girls: 8%
- Age: Under 15 years old: 11%
The accommodation of unaccompanied minors is distributed in different accommodation facilities:
- Accommodation centres.
- 1,380 accommodation units: 214 S.A.
- Emergency accommodation facilities: 127 S.A.
- Reception and Identification Centres & Closed Controlled Structures: 918 AH
- Controlled Accommodation Facilities for Asylum Seekers: 2 AOs.
The total capacity of accommodation places amounts to 1,775 places.
Migration Flows and Returns
- There is a downward trend in migration flows in early 2025, while efforts to increase returns are intensifying. According to the January 2025 results:
-2023: 115.805
-2019: 98.801
Source: Hellenic Statistical Service, Population Census Results - Residents 2021 & Ministry of Immigration and Asylum - Information Note January 2025 on Legal and Illegal Migration
Refugee children in education
The education of all pupils that reside in Greece is a national issue. Immigrant pupils are also included. The existence of different groups of pupils with various linguistic and cultural characteristics (foreign nationals, repatriates, Roma, Thrace muslims) has led to the development of educational interventions within the framework of intercultural education. The latter helps the smooth integration of these pupils and combats the phenomenon of school dropout.
Issues on the education of refugees are determined in Law 4415/2016 'Regulations Greek Education abroad, on Intercultural Education and other provisions', Law 4547/2018 "Re-organisation of support structures of primary and secondary education and other regulations" and Law 4559/2018 "University of Ioannina, Ionian University and other provisions".
Reception School Facilities for Refugee Education (DYEP) have been created for underaged refugees. Education is provided to refugees through the school units of Primary and Secondary Education of the mainstream educational system.
Languages
Greek is the official language of the Greek State, used in the entire territory and at all levels of education. It is spoken by approximately 99.5% of the population
The Muslim minority, which accounts for approximately 1% of the total population of Greece residing in Thrace, numbers approximately 100,000 members, who are of Turkish, Pomak and Roma origin. Minority schools operate for the Muslim minority, where the teaching takes place in the Turkish and the Greek language at the same time.In addition to Greek, several regional Greek dialects are spoken in Greece.
Religions
The relations between the state and the religious communities in Greece are defined by the Constitution, international conventions and executive laws. The Hellenic Constitution states that:
- The Freedom of religious conscience is inviolable. The enjoyment of civil rights and liberties does not depend on the individual’s religious beliefs.
2. All known religions are free and their rites of worship may be performed unhindered, under the protection of the law. The practice of rites of worship is not allowed to offend public order or good faith. Proselytism is forbidden.
3. The ministers of all known religions are subject to the same supervision by the State and to the same obligations towards it, as those of the prevailing religion.
4. No person is exempt from discharging his obligations to the State or may refuse to comply with the laws by reason of religious convictions.
5. No oath should be imposed or administered except as specified by law and in the form determined by law.
Also, according to the Constitution of Greece the prevailing religion in Greece is the religion of the Eastern Orthodox Church of Christ. It is pointed out that this recognition is purely affirmative, due to the fact that the great majority of Greeks are affiliated with the Orthodox Church and is therefore not a "state religion" or "official religion".
Education, in accordance with Article 16 of the Constitution, constitutes a basic mission of the State and shall aim at the moral, intellectual, professional and physical training of Greeks, the development of national and religious consciousness and at their formation as free and responsible citizens.
The Greek education system also includes:
- Secondary Education Ecclesiastical Schools: these schools aim to promote Greek Orhtodox beliefs and train clergy and laymen of the Greek Orthodox Church of Greece in accordance with high educational standards and Christian ethics, as well as
-Muslim Madrasas in Thrace: these are Secondary education Religious Schools attended by muslim pupils -members of the religious minority of Thrace. The aim of these schools is to fulfill the need of muslim pupils for religious education. There are two muslim schools: in Komotini and in Xanthi