Rapid Shrinking and Aging: Greece's Population to Fall to 7.25 Million by 2100

Greece is expected to record a dramatic demographic contraction and aging by the end of the century, according to new data from Eurostat. The forecasts highlight Greece as one of the countries hardest hit by the demographic problem, a fact expected to bring serious challenges to the domestic economy.

Greece's Demographic Outlook

Based on Eurostat estimates, Greece's population is expected to decrease significantly in the coming years. Specifically, from an estimated 10,372,335 residents in 2025, the population is projected to drop to 7,248,158 people by 2100. This development places the country in fourth place among European nations with the largest population decline. This drop is primarily attributed to the ongoing aging of the population and low birth rates.

Pan-European Shrinking Trend

The demographic issue is not an exclusively Greek phenomenon. At the European Union level, the total population is predicted to decrease by 11.7%. From 451.8 million residents in 2025, Europe is expected to number 398.78 million by 2100, reflecting a broader shrinking trend across member states.

Shift in the "Population Pyramid"

Eurostat data highlights a radical change in the European Union's demographic pyramid, which is gradually transitioning into a society with fewer young people and more elderly. More specifically, age distributions are expected to shape up as follows:

• The share of children and young people (0–19 years old) will decrease from 20% to 17%.
• The working-age population (20–64 years old), which forms the productive base of the economy, will shrink from 58% to 50%.
• The age group of 65 and over, which currently accounts for 22% of the total, will see a further increase.
• Particularly striking is the predicted increase in the group of people aged 80 and over, whose share is expected to soar from 6% to 16% by 2100.

Economic Challenges

The shift in the population pyramid and the shrinking workforce create a demanding macroeconomic environment. This trend poses significant challenges for the sustainability of social security systems (asphalistika systimata, the state-managed pension and healthcare insurance frameworks), the labor market, and the long-term economic growth of member states, including, of course, Greece.