The Village That Defies the Demographic Crisis in Greece

A village in Central Greece defies the demographic crisis in the country by boasting extended families with many children.

In the small mountain village of Chrysomilia near Kalambaka in Thessaly, dozens of children can be seen playing, going to school and church, and living within extended families.

The village is a community of about 500 inhabitants, perched at an altitude of 900 meters, and is referred to as the “village of many children.” At least 80 families have more than three children, according to a report on Skai TV.

The village, thanks to its location and inhabitants, was a vibrant and self-sufficient village that relied on many different sources of income: livestock, agriculture, and timber.

The president of the local council, Nikos Stephopoulos, explained the historical reason that the village defies the Greek demographic trend.

According to the local priest, “The legend says that in 1800 the village had suffered subsidence. Families had been killed. The stories say that half the village was lost. Then the inhabitants decided to regenerate it by having many children.”

The priest adds that perhaps there is nowhere else in Greece where up to thirty grade school children attend liturgies. Kids also help their parents in agricultural work.

Greece’s demographic crisis

Greece is facing a demographic crisis with the country experiencing the lowest population reproduction rate in Europe. The situation has reached alarming proportions with more deaths occurring than births.

In 2010, Greece recorded 114,766 births compared to 109,084 deaths. However, over the course of a decade, the numbers have shifted dramatically. In 2020, Greece reported only 84,717 births but a staggering 131,084 deaths. This trend has led to a significant population decline.

The reproduction rate in Greece is now one of the lowest in the world, standing at 1.3 children per woman. This is well below the stability limit of 2.1 children per woman.

This specific demographic problem has been observed for many decades in Greece. Faye Makandasis, diaNEOSis’ research director, noted declining fertility indicators since 1940 stemming from past generations.

He expressed concern, saying that if current conditions and factors remain unchanged, “We will talk about a reduction of the population in Greece by half.”

Among the factors contributing to the decline in fertility and Greece’s demographic crisis, Makandasis identified the delay of childbearing. He stated that Greek women give birth to their first child at an average age of 30.3 years.

Earlier this year, Greece announced a package of measures for new parents aimed at helping families cope with the rising cost of living and tackling the demographic problem facing the country.

Among the measures was an increase in the birth allowance from 400 to 1,500 euros. This increase will have a retroactive effect, as it will also apply to births from 2023.