By Tasos Kokkinidis
Sep 1, 2025
Hundreds of schools are closing across Greece due to a dramatic demographic decline and a corresponding drop in student enrollment. Data from the Greek Education Ministry shows that for the 2025-2026 academic year, 721 out of 13,478 schools will be suspended for failing to meet the minimum student requirement, a figure that has been rising for years.
The decline is most pronounced in primary education, which accounts for most of the closures. For instance, the number of suspended primary schools and kindergartens is projected to reach 324 and 358 respectively for the 2025-2026 academic year, up significantly from 247 and 312 in 2018-2019.
This trend affects schools in rural villages, on islands, and even in urban areas like Athens. The student population is expected to be approximately 1.21 million for the 2025-2026 academic year, a drop of over 150,000 students since 2018-2019.
A school is suspended if it has fewer than fifteen students. After three years of not meeting this requirement, the school is permanently closed. According to ministry officials who have called the situation “Armageddon,” the closures reflect a “terrifying” and worsening demographic problem. The closures force students, especially those in remote areas, to travel long distances, sometimes up to 50 miles (80 km) a day, to attend a new school.
The school closures are a direct consequence of Greece’s long-standing demographic crisis, characterized by a declining birth rate and an aging population.
Key factors contributing to the demographic crisis
Low Fertility Rate: Greece has one of the lowest fertility rates in the European Union, at approximately 1.3 births per woman, well below the replacement level of 2.1. This has led to a natural population decrease, with more deaths than births each year.
Emigration: The country’s severe economic crisis, which began in 2008, prompted a large-scale exodus of young, educated Greeks seeking better opportunities abroad. This “brain drain” has further diminished the number of people in their prime childbearing and working years.
Aging Population: With fewer births and increased life expectancy, Greece’s population is rapidly aging. The proportion of people over 65 is growing, putting strain on the social security and healthcare systems.
The combined effect of these factors has created a cycle of population decline that the school closures now vividly illustrate. Without a significant shift in these trends, experts warn that the demographic crisis will continue to impact Greece’s society and economy for decades to come.
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