Greece's population growth has experienced significant changes over the past several decades. Throughout much of the 20th century, Greece saw steady population increases, driven by natural growth and periods of return migration. However, in recent years, the country has faced a demographic decline. Since the early 2010s, Greece’s population has been shrinking due to low birth rates, an aging population, and increased emigration, particularly during the financial crisis when many young Greeks left in search of better opportunities abroad. According to the Hellenic Statistical Authority, Greece’s population fell below 10.5 million by 2021, and projections suggest continued decline unless trends in fertility and migration change. This demographic shift poses significant challenges for the country’s economy and social systems in the coming decades.
| Year | Population | Population Density Per Square KM |
|---|---|---|
| 1950 | 7,566,028 | 57.9 |
| 1955 | 7,965,538 | 61 |
| 1960 | 8,327,405 | 63.7 |
| 1965 | 8,550,333 | 65.4 |
| 1970 | 8,792,806 | 67.3 |
| 1975 | 9,046,542 | 69.2 |
| 1980 | 9,642,505 | 73.8 |
| 1985 | 9,961,128 | 76.2 |
| 1990 | 10,216,802 | 78.2 |
| 1995 | 10,634,322 | 81.4 |
| 2000 | 10,925,795 | 83.6 |
| 2005 | 10,990,646 | 84.1 |
| 2010 | 11,039,844 | 84.5 |
| 2015 | 10,728,157 | 82.1 |
| 2020 | 10,604,841 | 81.2 |
| 2022 | 10,533,871 | 80.6 |
| 2023 | 10,497,595 | 80.4 |
| 2024 | 10,461,091 | 80.1 |
| 2025 | 10,424,536 | 79.8 |
| 2030 | 10,242,709 | 78.4 |
| 2035 | 10,066,836 | 77.1 |
| 2040 | 9,895,646 | 75.7 |
| 2045 | 9,713,202 | 74.3 |
| 2050 | 9,504,172 | 72.7 |
| 2055 | 9,268,234 | 70.9 |
| 2060 | 9,016,470 | 69 |
| 2065 | 8,769,291 | 67.1 |
| 2070 | 8,544,817 | 65.4 |
| 2075 | 8,353,149 | 63.9 |
| 2080 | 8,194,008 | 62.7 |
| 2085 | 8,062,011 | 61.7 |
| 2090 | 7,947,230 | 60.8 |
| 2095 | 7,839,490 | 60 |
| 2100 | 7,732,761 | 59.2 |
Data from US Census International Database