Country Profile: Greece

Greece, located in Southern Europe, is bordered by the Aegean, Ionian, and Mediterranean Seas. The country's population is approximately 10.4 million, with a significant urban concentration in Athens. Economically, Greece is classified as a high-income member of the EU, demonstrating robust growth supported by private consumption and EU investments. The government operates as a parliamentary republic, emphasizing democratic principles and preserving historical legacies.

Geography

Greece features a strategic location that dominates the Aegean Sea, consisting of a mountainous terrain interspersed with an archipelago of around 2,000 islands. The climate is characterized by mild, wet winters and hot, dry summers, making it an attractive destination for tourism. The country's total area is 131,957 square kilometers, with a coastline of 13,676 kilometers.

Highest Point: Mount Olympus, reaches 2,917 meters.
Total Land Boundaries: 1,110 km, bordering Albania, Bulgaria, North Macedonia, and Turkey.
Natural Resources: Includes lignite, petroleum, iron ore, and marble.
Forested Area: Approximately 36.9% of the land.

People and Society

The Greek population is approximately 10.4 million, with a median age of 46.8 years. Greek is the official language, spoken by 99% of the populace. The majority of the population identifies as Greek Orthodox, with a notable percentage reporting no religious affiliation. Urbanization is significant, with 80.7% of the population living in urban areas.

Infant Mortality Rate: 3.4 deaths/1,000 live births (2025 est.).
Life Expectancy: Average of 81.9 years at birth.
Total Fertility Rate: Currently stands at 1.42 children born/woman.
Urban Population Growth Rate: 0.11% annual rate.

Economy

Greece maintains a high-income economy, with a GDP per capita estimated at $37,800 in 2024. The economy has recovered significantly post-economic crisis, largely driven by private consumption and EU investments. The unemployment rate has been declining, yet labor productivity remains low.

Real GDP Growth Rate: Projected at 2.3% for 2024.
Unemployment Rate: Estimated at 10.2% in 2024.
Public Debt: Approximately 190.6% of GDP (2023 est.).
Exports: Around $108.424 billion in 2024.

Government

Greece is a parliamentary republic, with Athens as its capital. The government is composed of the executive, legislative, and judicial branches, defined by a constitutional framework. Recent elections have seen the rise of government officials committed to structural reforms aimed at economic recovery.

Election Voting Age: Citizens must be at least 17 years old to vote.
Current President: Konstantinos TASOULAS since March 2025.
Number of Legislative Seats: 300 members in the Hellenic Parliament.
Major Political Parties: Includes New Democracy (ND), SYRIZA, and PASOK-KINAL.

Military and Security

The Hellenic Armed Forces encompasses the Army, Navy, and Air Force, with about 112,000 active-duty personnel. Greece allocates a significant portion of its GDP to military expenditures, ensuring national security and regional stability.

Military Expenditures as % of GDP: 2.9% (2025 est.).
Mandatory Military Service: Required for men aged 19-45, with an obligation of 12 months.
Military Deployments: Approximately 1,000 personnel in Cyprus and other regions.
Major Supplier Countries for Military Equipment: The U.S., France, and Germany.

Energy

Greece boasts a fully electrified population, with an installed electricity generation capacity of 24.169 million kW. The energy sector is diversifying, incorporating renewables such as solar and wind power.

Electricity Consumption: Totaled 46.929 billion kWh in 2023.
Total Renewable Energy Capacity: Solar contributes 17.5% of total installed capacity.
Petroleum Production: Estimated at 5,000 bbl/day (2023).

Environment

Greece faces environmental challenges, including air and water pollution, and loss of biodiversity. The country is a party to various international environmental agreements aimed at addressing these issues.

Forest Area: Covers 36.9% of total land area.
Urban Population Exposed to Improved Drinking Water Sources: 100% across urban and rural areas.
Annual Municipal Solid Waste Generated: Approximately 5.615 million tons (2024 est.).

Transportation

The transportation network includes a well-developed port system, with 1,215 vessels registered in the merchant marine. The country is also advancing its infrastructure with numerous airports and railways.

Total Airports: 82 (2025).
Railways: Approximately 2,345 km in total length.
Total Ports: 57, with various sizes to facilitate trade and travel.

Communications

Greece offers extensive telecommunications services, with a high rate of internet penetration and mobile subscriptions. The broadcast media landscape is primarily composed of private entities.

Internet Users: 85% of the population engages online (2023).
Total Fixed Line Subscriptions: Approximately 4.69 million (2024).
Mobile Cellular Subscribers: Totaling about 11.4 million (2024).

Key Metrics

Metric	Value	Note
Population	10,424,536 (2025 est.)
Area	131,957 sq km
GDP (PPP)	$392.205 billion (2024 est.)
Energy Consumption per Capita	92.693 million Btu/person (2023 est.)
Birth Rate	7.38 births/1,000 population (2025 est.)
Unemployment Rate	10.2% (2024 est.)
Life Expectancy	81.9 years (2024 est.)