The prediction that in the next three decades will continue to decline in the Greek population and its demographic aging, while the birth/death balance sign will remain negative, the Demographic and Social Analysis Laboratory – University of Thessaly.
In the relevant analysis entitled “Demographic” and Birth in Greece today: Demographic inactivity and social challenges “, the author of which is Iphigenia Kokkalis, Assistant Professor and Director of the Laboratory, emphasizes the Birthplacewhere 2023 reached 72.3 thousandThat is, it was about half of those recorded annually on average in 1951-1970.
“The reasons responsible for this collapse are not only found within the field of demography, but are more concerned with the social challenges that Greece has faced in recent decades.”noted.
Reduce population by nearly 500 thousand people
Over the years, consistently negative natural balances (minus deaths) have been recorded, which – along with also negative immigration balances of the period – caused the population to decline by nearly 500,000 people.
The analysis states that today Greece records from the lowest annual fertility indicators in the European Union, with intergenerational fertility moving to 1.3-1.4 children/woman (in generations born around 1980), that is, it is significantly short of the breeding limit (2.07 children/woman).
At the same time, Greece is a relatively aging country as almost 23% of its inhabitants are over 65, while in 2023 the over 65 was almost 1 million more than young people 0-14.
At the same time, there is a progressive increase in the rates of childlessness, which for generations around 1980 are now about 1 in 5 people.
When did population decline in
In her analysis, Ms Kokkali also recalls that “the decline in the population of Greece began in 2011, and not earlier, due to the massive entry of foreigners between 1991 and 2010, which resulted in a positive immigration balance of 795 thousand people” and adds::
“The massive entry of young people mainly in search of work has contributed, among other things, to slowing down the aging of the population of Greece, increasing its genitality and stimulating its demographic potential, as the increase in the country’s population between 1991 and 2011 is almost exclusively attributed to the growth of the country.
The financial crisis changed in the direction of the flows and the input-up balance has again become negative, as in the pre-1990 era. In the 2011-2021 decade, exits have continued, on the one hand, the economic immigrants who, having settled in the country in the country in the past two decades, are now returning to their countries- on the other hand, they concern young Greeks and young Greeks (25-34 years old and 35-45).
The analysis also attempted to highlight “other aspects of the demographic issue related to” infertility “but less concerns demography and more the challenges that Greece faces today in the field of social politicians.” And it focuses on the causes of young people’s flight and housing.
‘Flight’ and housing
“In the already burdened population structure of the country, we could formally say that the framework of life in Greece today seems to be either pushing young people to flee, or in -house. And these are very basic stakes, if we would like to limit the infertility and scope of a decline in the country’s population in the coming decades. “mentioned.
“A first finding is that the flight from Greece is not only due to the economic crisis, but mainly to finding a job corresponding to the level of study, with prospects for development, corresponding gain and good working conditions. The second cause of the flight relates to chronic pathogens, such as the lack of meritocracy the third concerns more broadly in social terms of living, such as open, safe, dynamic and tolerant society, as well as acquaintance with different cultural environments »refers to the analysis.
Finally, the issue of housing, which has emerged as major in recent years, is added to the above.
“We know, however,” he adds to the analysis, “that the coexistence of young couples increases the chances of the first child’s arrival and accelerates the family. Unlike other European countries, in Greece the age of departure from family home, average age in marriage and the corresponding to the acquisition of children is increasing. This, cumulatively, and in combination with other negative parameters, has an impact not only on family creation and childbirth, but also on the number of children who will have younger generations. “
Source: Skai
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