#93 in world Europe UN member

Greece

Athens Europe Southern Europe

Greece, a parliamentary republic in Southern Europe situated at the crossroads of three continents, is home to approximately 10.4 million people. Current estimates show a national GDP per capita of approximately 25,665 USD, reflecting the country's status as a developed economy with a high standard of living.

Where is Greece?

Greece

Continent
Europe
Country
Greece
Coordinates
39.00°, 22.00°

Population Details

Population
10M
Area
131,990 km²
Density per km²
79 / km²
Growth rate
-0.02%
Annual growth
-2.2K people
Daily growth
-6.07 people
World population share
0.13%

Population Trend

Historical series from 1960 to 2026

Start 8.3M Latest 10M

Population & Social Snapshot

Age structure, urbanization, and benchmark indicators for Greece

Age Distribution

0-14 years 1.4M
15-64 years 6.5M
65+ years 2.5M

Urbanization

79.0% Urban
8.2M
Urban 8.2M
Rural 2.2M

Health & Education Benchmarks

Life Expectancy at Birth +11%
81.8 years
World avg: 74.0 years
Fertility Rate -47%
1.24 births per woman
World avg: 2.35 births per woman
Infant Mortality Rate -83%
3.2 per 1,000 live births
World avg: 18.6 per 1,000 live births
Literacy Rate (Adults) +9%
93.9 % of adults
World avg: 86.5 % of adults
Internet Users +19%
86.3 % of population
World avg: 72.5 % of population

Demographics

Quick Facts

Capital
Athens
Region
Europe
Area
131,990 km²
Languages
Greek
Currency
euro (€)
Timezones
UTC+02:00
UN Member
Yes

Economy

The Greek economy is characterized by a total GDP of approximately 256 billion USD, which ranks 53 globally and 20 within Europe. Recent data indicates an annual GDP growth rate of 2.1%, supported by robust sectors such as maritime shipping, tourism, and food processing. While the unemployment rate stands at 8.54%, ranking the nation 49 globally, Greece ranks 8 out of 8 for GDP per capita within the Southern Europe subregion.

Society

Greece maintains high social indicators with a life expectancy of 81.8 years, which ranks 39 in the world according to latest estimates. Educational attainment remains stable with an adult literacy rate of 93.9%, placing the nation 86 globally. Digital integration is widespread as internet users account for 86.3% of the total population, giving the country a global rank of 81 for internet penetration.

Climate & Environment

The country experiences a Mediterranean climate with mild, wet winters and hot, dry summers across its 131990 km² (50962 sq mi) territory. The geography is notably mountainous, featuring Mount Olympus at 2917 m (9570 ft), and includes an extensive coastline of 13676 km (8498 mi) that influences local weather patterns and marine ecosystems.

Government & Politics

Government Type
parliamentary republic
Independence
1830-02-03 (Ottoman Empire)

Greece is a parliamentary republic where the Prime Minister serves as the head of government and holds the most significant executive power. The President of the Republic acts as the ceremonial head of state and is elected by the parliament for a 5-year term. Legislative authority is vested in the Hellenic Parliament, a unicameral body consisting of 300 members elected through a system of reinforced proportional representation. This system often facilitates the formation of stable governments by awarding bonus seats to the winning party. The judiciary is independent and comprises three supreme courts: the Court of Cassation, the Council of State, and the Court of Audit. As a member of the European Union and the Eurozone, Greece aligns much of its regulatory and economic framework with European standards. Political life is traditionally dominated by several major parties, and the country maintains a robust democratic tradition since the restoration of civilian rule in the 1970s.

History

Widely regarded as the cradle of Western civilization, Greece has a history spanning millennia, from the Bronze Age civilizations of the Minoans and Mycenaeans to the Classical period that birthed democracy, philosophy, and the Olympic Games. Following the conquests of Alexander the Great and the subsequent Roman and Byzantine eras, the region eventually fell under the control of the Ottoman Empire. After nearly four centuries of Ottoman rule, the Greek War of Independence began in 1821. The nation officially gained recognition as an independent state on 3 February 1830 through the London Protocol. The 20th century was marked by significant upheaval, including the Balkan Wars, two World Wars, and a bitter civil war. From 1967 to 1974, Greece was governed by a military junta known as the Regime of the Colonels. The collapse of the junta led to the Metapolitefsi period, which saw the restoration of democracy and the transition to the current parliamentary republic. In 1981, Greece joined the European Communities, marking a new era of integration with Western Europe. Since the early 2000s, the country has focused on modernizing its infrastructure and navigating complex economic cycles within the Eurozone.

Notable Facts

  • Greece possesses one of the longest coastlines in the world, stretching approximately 13676 km (8498 mi) and featuring thousands of islands, though only about 200 are inhabited.
  • Mount Olympus, the legendary home of the twelve ancient gods, is the highest point in the country at 2917 m (9570 ft) and became the first National Park in Greece.
  • The Greek merchant navy is the largest in the world, with Greek shipowners controlling roughly 20 percent of the global merchant fleet capacity.
  • Greece is home to 19 UNESCO World Heritage Sites, including the Acropolis of Athens and the archaeological site of Delphi, reflecting its profound historical impact on art and architecture.
  • The country is a world leader in the production of marble and olive oil; it is the third-largest producer of olives globally, with some trees dating back several centuries.

Geography

Highest Point
Mount Olympus (2,917 m)
Lowest Point
Mediterranean Sea (0 m)
Coastline
13,676 km

Explore weather and climate data for cities in Greece

Monthly averages for Athens

January
Fair
Temp
14°C / 8°C
Feels Like
12°C / 5°C
Rain
8days (44 mm) Wet
Sun
7.6h Good
Humidity
73% Muggy
Snow Days
1days
February
Fair
Temp
15°C / 8°C
Feels Like
12°C / 5°C
Rain
7days (33 mm) Good
Sun
8.9h Good
Humidity
71% Muggy
Snow Days
1days
March
Good
Temp
17°C / 9°C
Feels Like
15°C / 7°C
Rain
7days (36 mm) Good
Sun
10h Excellent
Humidity
66% Muggy
April
Excellent
Temp
21°C / 12°C
Feels Like
20°C / 10°C
Rain
6days (36 mm) Good
Sun
11.5h Excellent
Humidity
61% Muggy
May best
Excellent
Temp
26°C / 16°C
Feels Like
26°C / 16°C
Rain
5days (20 mm) Good
Sun
12.5h Excellent
Humidity
56% Moderate
June
Excellent
Temp
31°C / 22°C
Feels Like
33°C / 22°C
Rain
4days (18 mm) Good
Sun
14h Excellent
Humidity
50% Moderate
July
Good
Temp
35°C / 25°C
Feels Like
36°C / 26°C
Rain
1days (7 mm) Excellent
Sun
13.7h Excellent
Humidity
42% Moderate
August
Good
Temp
34°C / 25°C
Feels Like
35°C / 25°C
Rain
2days (16 mm) Excellent
Sun
12.8h Excellent
Humidity
48% Moderate
September best
Excellent
Temp
29°C / 21°C
Feels Like
30°C / 21°C
Rain
3days (11 mm) Excellent
Sun
11.4h Excellent
Humidity
56% Moderate
October best
Excellent
Temp
24°C / 16°C
Feels Like
24°C / 16°C
Rain
3days (26 mm) Excellent
Sun
9.8h Good
Humidity
65% Muggy
November
Good
Temp
20°C / 13°C
Feels Like
19°C / 12°C
Rain
5days (37 mm) Good
Sun
8.2h Good
Humidity
71% Muggy
December
Good
Temp
16°C / 10°C
Feels Like
15°C / 9°C
Rain
8days (59 mm) Wet
Sun
7.4h Good
Humidity
76% Humid
Month Temp Feels Like Rain Sun Humidity Status Details
January 14°C / 8°C 12°C / 5°C 8days (44 mm) Wet 7.6h Good 73% Muggy Fair View Details
February 15°C / 8°C 12°C / 5°C 7days (33 mm) Good 8.9h Good 71% Muggy Fair View Details
March 17°C / 9°C 15°C / 7°C 7days (36 mm) Good 10h Excellent 66% Muggy Good View Details
April 21°C / 12°C 20°C / 10°C 6days (36 mm) Good 11.5h Excellent 61% Muggy Excellent View Details
May best 26°C / 16°C 26°C / 16°C 5days (20 mm) Good 12.5h Excellent 56% Moderate Excellent View Details
June 31°C / 22°C 33°C / 22°C 4days (18 mm) Good 14h Excellent 50% Moderate Excellent View Details
July 35°C / 25°C 36°C / 26°C 1days (7 mm) Excellent 13.7h Excellent 42% Moderate Good View Details
August 34°C / 25°C 35°C / 25°C 2days (16 mm) Excellent 12.8h Excellent 48% Moderate Good View Details
September best 29°C / 21°C 30°C / 21°C 3days (11 mm) Excellent 11.4h Excellent 56% Moderate Excellent View Details
October best 24°C / 16°C 24°C / 16°C 3days (26 mm) Excellent 9.8h Good 65% Muggy Excellent View Details
November 20°C / 13°C 19°C / 12°C 5days (37 mm) Good 8.2h Good 71% Muggy Good View Details
December 16°C / 10°C 15°C / 9°C 8days (59 mm) Wet 7.4h Good 76% Humid Good View Details

Temperature

42°C 36°C 30°C 24°C 18°C 12°C 6°C 0°C JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
HighLow

Line chart showing monthly temperatures. Jan: 14°C / 8°C . Feb: 15°C / 8°C . Mar: 17°C / 9°C . Apr: 21°C / 12°C . May: 26°C / 16°C . Jun: 31°C / 22°C . Jul: 35°C / 25°C . Aug: 34°C / 25°C . Sep: 29°C / 21°C . Oct: 24°C / 16°C . Nov: 20°C / 13°C . Dec: 16°C / 10°C .

Rainfall

0 mm 11 mm 22 mm 33 mm 44 mm 55 mm JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Rainfall

Bar chart showing monthly rainfall. Jan: 44 mm. Feb: 33 mm. Mar: 36 mm. Apr: 36 mm. May: 20 mm. Jun: 18 mm. Jul: 7 mm. Aug: 16 mm. Sep: 11 mm. Oct: 26 mm. Nov: 37 mm. Dec: 59 mm.

Frequently Asked Questions

The population of Greece is approximately 10M (2024).

The capital of Greece is Athens.

Greece's GDP per capita is $25.7K (2024).

Life expectancy in Greece is 81.84 years (2024).

Greece covers 131,990 km² (50,962 sq mi).

Greece has a moderate population density of 79 people per km², close to the global average of 60.

Greece's population is roughly stable, changing by less than 0.1% per year.

Yes — based on GDP per capita, Greece falls in the high GDP-per-person tier at $25.7K. Official World Bank income groups use Atlas-method GNI per capita, so this is a GDP-based comparison rather than an official income-group label.

Greece reports a very low intentional homicide rate of 0.8 per 100,000 people — among the safest in the world by this measure.

The official language of Greece is Greek.

Greece uses the euro (€) as its sole official currency.

The best months to visit Greece are May, September, October, based on climate data for the capital.

The Greek economy produces a total GDP of approximately 256 billion USD, ranking 53 globally and 20 within Europe. The national GDP per capita is estimated at 25,665 USD, which currently ranks 61 in the world. Recent economic data indicates an annual growth rate of 2.1% as the country continues to modernize.

Recent data shows that 86.3% of the Greek population are internet users, ranking the country 81 globally for digital connectivity. This high level of access supports a growing digital economy and extensive social connectivity across the islands and mainland. Urban centers, where 79% of the population resides, typically see the highest speeds.

The latest estimates indicate an unemployment rate of 8.54% in Greece. This figure gives the country a global rank of 49 out of 186 nations for the lowest unemployment levels. While the labor market has improved significantly in recent years, the government continues to prioritize job creation in the green energy sector.

Greek is the official language and is spoken by the vast majority of the population. In terms of religion, Greek Orthodox is the official faith, practiced by approximately 81% to 90% of the citizens. Other groups include a 2% Muslim minority and a segment of 4% to 15% identifying with no religion.

Greece covers a total area of 131990 km² (50962 sq mi) and features a massive coastline of 13676 km (8498 mi). The country shares land borders with Albania, Bulgaria, Turkey, and North Macedonia. Its highest point is Mount Olympus, which reaches an elevation of 2917 m (9570 ft) above the Mediterranean Sea.

Greece has an estimated 2026 population of 10,400,701 people, based on recent projections from the official 2024 figure of 10,405,134. This reflects a slight annual decline of -0.02% as the country navigates a period of demographic contraction. The population is heavily concentrated in major urban centers.

The latest ranking places Greece at global 93 of 215 countries, according to official 2024 data. Regionally, it ranks 15th among 47 European nations and 4th within the Southern Europe subregion. This position puts Greece in the middle tier of global populations, comparable in size to countries like Jordan.

Greece has a population density of 80.7 people per km² (209 per sq mi), according to official 2023 data and current projections. This ranks the nation 122nd globally and 29th in Europe. While the overall density is moderate, many mountainous regions and islands are sparsely populated compared to Athens.

The population of Greece is currently decreasing at an annual rate of -0.02%. This decline is primarily due to a natural decrease, where estimated daily deaths outnumber daily births. Economic factors and emigration over the last decade have also played a significant role in this downward demographic trend.

The current fertility rate in Greece is 1.24 births per woman, which ranks the country 193rd out of 215 nations globally. This figure is significantly below the replacement level of 2.1 children per woman. Low birth rates are a major factor in the country's aging demographic profile.

Recent data indicates that 79% of the Greek population lives in urban areas, ranking the country 63rd globally for urbanization. Most residents are concentrated in the Greater Athens area and Thessaloniki. This reflects the historical movement from rural agricultural regions to metropolitan centers for employment and services.

All Indicators

Explore Greece's data across 50+ indicators

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