Greece records Europe’s lowest fertility rates
Greece ranks among the five European countries with the lowest fertility rates, consistently recording below 1.5 children per woman for decades, a level considered “extremely low.”
The finding comes from a study by the Institute of Demographic Research and Studies, led by Professor Byron Kotzamanis of the University of Thessaly, which analyzed data from 30 European countries between 1970 and 2023.
Alongside Greece, Spain, Italy, Austria, and Germany have also experienced more than 35 years of extremely low fertility. In contrast, France and Iceland have never dropped below 1.5, while Nordic countries have only briefly reached such low levels.
Researchers attribute the disparity to social policy differences. Countries with higher fertility rates typically have robust welfare systems and targeted family-support policies. By contrast, the lack of such measures in southern Europe, particularly Greece, has limited generations’ ability to have the number of children they desire.
The country’s demographic decline has recently drawn international attention. Entrepreneur Elon Musk commented on the crisis via X, highlighting reports that more than 700 schools have closed due to falling student numbers, and warning of “the death of Greece” as birth rates continue to plunge.
