Births in 2025 fall 4.2% as demographic decline continues

The number of births in Greece declined by 4.2% in 2025, continuing the country's long-term demographic downturn, according to data released on Thursday by the Hellenic Statistical Authority.

A total of 65,594 live births were recorded during the year, including 33,620 boys and 31,974 girls, compared with 68,467 live births in 2024. The decline represents 2,873 fewer births year-on-year.

The number of stillbirths also decreased, falling by 7.5% to 420 from 454 in the previous year.

Sharpest declines recorded in January and November

According to ELSTAT, the largest monthly decreases in births compared with 2024 were recorded in November and January, with declines of 10.4% and 10.0%, respectively.

The strongest increases were observed in September and May, when births rose by 3.0% and 2.9% compared with the corresponding months of the previous year.

Births shift toward older age groups

Data comparing birth trends over the past decade show a significant decline in births among younger women.

Compared with 2015, the largest decrease was recorded among women aged 30-34, with 12,356 fewer births. Births among women aged 25-29 declined by 7,922, while those among women aged 35-39 fell by 4,597.

In contrast, births among older mothers increased. Women aged 40-44 recorded 1,031 more births than in 2015, while births among women aged 45-49 rose by 445.

A comparison with 2005 highlights an even more pronounced demographic shift. Births among women aged 25-29 fell by 20,775, while those among women aged 30-34 and 20-24 declined by 13,983 and 10,177, respectively.

Meanwhile, births among mothers aged 40-44 increased by 2,955 over the two-decade period, while births among women aged 45-49 rose by 852.

The figures underscore Greece's continuing demographic challenges, marked by declining fertility rates and a gradual shift toward later-age motherhood.