The birth rate in Greece continues to plummet, confirming the severe demographic problem facing the country. According to official data released by ELSTAT, in the year 2025, there were a decrease of 2,873 births (or 4.2%) compared to 2024.
Specifically, live births totaled 65,594 last year (33,620 boys and 31,974 girls), compared to 68,467 (35,216 boys and 33,251 girls) recorded in 2024. At the same time, stillbirths totaled 420, representing a 7.5% decline compared to the previous year (454 stillbirths).
The Months of Ups and Downs
According to the survey's statistics, the most dramatic declines in 2025 are observed in the months November (-10.41 TP3T) and January (-10%). In contrast, there was a slight «breathing space» in September and May, months during which births increased by 3% and 2.9%, respectively.
«Gerani» and Motherhood: Women Are Giving Birth at an Increasingly Older Age
Of particular interest is the qualitative and age-based analysis of the data over time (2025 compared to 2015 and 2005), as it clearly illustrates the shift toward motherhood in older age groups:
- Compared to 2015: The largest decrease in absolute terms was observed among mothers aged 30–34 (12,356 fewer births), 25–29 years old (-7,922), and 35–39 years old (-4,597). In contrast, increases were observed among women aged 40–44 (+1,031 births) and 45–49 (+445).
- Compared to 2005: The gap is even more chaotic. Births to mothers aged 25–29 fell by 20,775, to those aged 30–34 by 13,983, and to those aged 20–24 by 10,177. The only age groups that recorded an increase were those aged 40–44 (+2,955 births) and 45–49 (+852).
At the same time, the change in the ratio of births to mothers with Greek citizenship compared to foreign mothers is striking; this ratio stood at 8.9 to 1 for 2025. This ratio was 6.7 to 1 in 2015 and 5.1 to 1 in 2005.
Geographic map: Decrease in 12 of the 13 regions
The decline in births affects nearly the entire country, as by 2025 the drop had «hit» 12 of the country’s 13 regions.
The heaviest losses in absolute numbers are found in the following regions:
- Region of Attica: A decrease of 1,007 births.
- Region of Central Macedonia: A decrease of 656 births.
- Peloponnese Region: A decrease of 273 births.
The only region in the entire country that managed to turn the negative trend around and post a positive result was Region of Crete, in which there was an increase of 129 births by 2025.
