Births lagged behind deaths in İskeçe despite regional resilience
The demographic decline continued to weigh on İskeçe (Xanthi) in the first quarter of 2026, with deaths significantly outnumbering births, according to registry data released by the Ministry of Interior (Greece).
A total of 332 deaths and 180 births were recorded in the regional unit, resulting in a negative balance of 152. Despite the gap, İskeçe (Xanthi) maintained the most “resilient” demographic profile within Eastern Macedonia and Thrace region, where overall figures remained sharply negative.
2,095 deaths, just 758 births in the region
Across the region, 2,095 deaths were recorded against just 758 births, highlighting the broader scale of the demographic challenge. Other regional units showed even wider gaps, including Meriç (Evros), Kavala, Drama, and Rhodope, all reporting significantly higher death-to-birth ratios.
Within İskeçe (Xanthi), most deaths were distributed across municipal units, while all recorded births took place in the central municipal unit. The same period also saw 57 marriages, 38 divorces, and nine civil partnerships.
Although İskeçe (Xanthi) showed comparatively stronger figures than neighboring areas, the data confirmed that the region remained firmly within the grip of a sustained demographic decline, mirroring a nationwide trend of population decrease.
