As Greece's births have fallen by roughly 42% over the past 15 years, six regional units — the Cyclades, Zakynthos, the Dodecanese, Chania, Rethymno and Heraklion — recorded comparatively smaller declines of under 15% in 2024, according to new data from the Institute of Demographic Research and Studies (IDEM).
By Irene Hatzopoulou
Vyron Kotzamanis, professor of demography at the University of Thessaly and IDEM's research director, told iefimerida.gr the pattern reflects favorable economic and social conditions rather than coincidence.
He said these mostly tourism-driven island regions offer higher household incomes, declared and undeclared, combined with a strong agricultural and livestock sector that provides year-round employment stability for young people.
Mr. Kotzamanis said smaller communities also benefit from tighter-knit social structures that ease the tension between work and family life, with grandparents, aunts and neighbors often stepping in for childcare — an informal support network that reduces both stress and costs for parents while freeing up more time to raise children.
These regions have also retained and attracted young residents, Mr. Kotzamanis said, including a notable share of working-age foreign residents, thanks to local job opportunities.
Crucially, he noted, career paths in these areas rarely require expensive, years-long university studies elsewhere — a burden he estimated can reach or exceed €150,000 per child in major cities once relocation, tutoring and other costs are included.
Young people entering the local workforce earlier gain income sooner, he said, making early family formation more feasible.
The findings come as national data show Greece's annual births nearly halved over the past two decades, from roughly 117,000 in 2008-09 to about 65,000 in 2025-26.