Birth rates in the Rhodope decline by 50% over the past decade

Recent statistics reveal a concerning demographic trend in Greece, where the gap between birth and death rates has been widening at an unprecedented pace in certain regions. Among the most affected areas is the Rhodope region, which faces a significant population decline due to a dramatic decrease in birth rates.
Official data shows that the number of births in Rhodope has plummeted by 50% over the past decade. The decline is particularly stark when comparing 2023 and 2024, with a 36% drop in births recorded within just one year. In 2023, there were 622 births, while this number fell to 398 in 2024. The situation appears even more critical compared to the period between 2015 and 2017, highlighting a long-term downward trend.
The widening gap between births and deaths poses a severe risk of population loss for Rhodope in the coming years. With 1,545 deaths and only 398 births recorded in 2024, the region is experiencing a population decline of 1,147 individuals. On average, there are 3.9 deaths for every birth in the region.
Unless proactive measures are taken to address this imbalance, experts warn that Rhodope and similar regions could face accelerated population decline, threatening their economic and social stability.
The Ministry of the Interior's official population data from January 2, 2025, and statistical analyses from 2015–2023 highlight the critical nature of this demographic issue. Policymakers are urged to take immediate action to restore the natural balance between births and deaths and to ensure the long-term sustainability of the region’s population.
Key Statistics for the Rhodope Region (2024):
Deaths: 1,545
Births: 398
Population Decline: -1,147
Deaths per Birth: 3.9
Birth Rates in Eastern Macedonia and Thrace (2015–2024):
Over the past decade, the total number of births across the Eastern Macedonia and Thrace region has steadily declined, with a total of 3,380 births recorded in 2024 compared to 8,294 deaths. This represents an average of 2.66 deaths for every birth across the region.