Country Profile: Greece

Greece, located in Southern Europe, is strategically positioned between Albania and Turkey, bordered by the Aegean, Ionian, and Mediterranean Seas. Known for its mountainous terrain and extensive coastline of about 13,676 km, it has a population of approximately 10.4 million people, with significant concentrations in urban areas like Athens. The nation's economy, classified as a high-income EU and eurozone economy, has been recovering from a severe economic crisis, with growth driven by private consumption and EU investment. Greece operates as a parliamentary republic, having transitioned to this form of governance after the fall of a military dictatorship in 1974.

Geography

Greece is characterized by its mountainous landscape that extends into the sea, forming numerous peninsulas and an archipelago of approximately 2,000 islands. The country has a temperate climate with mild, wet winters and hot, dry summers.

Area: 131,957 sq km
Coastline: 13,676 km
Terrain: Predominantly mountainous
Elevation: Highest point is Mount Olympus at 2,917 m
Natural hazards: Severe earthquakes and volcanic activity, notably from Santorini

People and Society

The population of Greece is estimated at 10,424,536 in 2025, with a median age of 46.8 years. Greek, the official language, is spoken by 99% of the populace, while the majority identify as Greek Orthodox. Urbanization is significant, with 80.7% of the population living in urban areas.

Population growth rate: -0.35% (2025 est.)
Life expectancy: 81.9 years (2024 est.)
Urbanization: 80.7% of the total population (2023)
Infant mortality rate: 3.4 deaths per 1,000 live births (2025 est.)
Total fertility rate: 1.42 children per woman (2025 est.)

Economy

Greece's economy is predominantly driven by the service sector, which accounts for 68% of its GDP. After a protracted economic crisis, the country has experienced recovery, supported by EU fund investments and structural reforms.

GDP (PPP): $392.205 billion (2024 est.)
Unemployment rate: 10.2% (2024 est.)
Public debt: 190.6% of GDP (2023 est.)
Inflation rate: 2.7% (2024 est.)
Exports: $108.424 billion (2024 est.)

Government

Greece is a parliamentary republic with a President as the chief of state and a Prime Minister as the head of government. The political system is characterized by elections held every four years for the unicameral Hellenic Parliament.

Capital: Athens
Language: Greek (official)
Administrative divisions: 13 regions and an autonomous monastic state
Suffrage: Universal and compulsory at age 17
Latest parliamentary election: June 2023

Military and Security

The Hellenic Armed Forces consist of the Army, Navy, and Air Force, with approximately 112,000 active personnel. Greece allocates about 2.9% of its GDP to military expenditures, reflecting its strategic position in the Eastern Mediterranean.

Military expenditures: 2.9% of GDP (2025 est.)
Active personnel: Approximately 112,000 (2025)
Compulsory military service: Required for men 19-45
Military deployments: Around 1,000 troops in Cyprus

Energy

Greece has achieved 100% electrification for its population and relies on a diverse mix of energy sources including fossil fuels, solar, and wind power.

Electricity consumption: 46.929 billion kWh (2023 est.)
Installed generating capacity: 24.169 million kW (2023 est.)
Natural gas consumption: 3.344 billion cubic meters (2023 est.)
Total energy consumption per capita: 92.693 million Btu/person (2023 est.)

Environment

Greece faces several environmental challenges, including air and water pollution and loss of biodiversity. The country is a party to numerous international environmental agreements that aim to address these issues.

Total water withdrawal: 10.073 billion cubic meters (2022)
Carbon dioxide emissions: 62.06 million metric tonnes (2023 est.)
Municipal solid waste generated annually: 5.615 million tons (2024 est.)
Percent of municipal waste recycled: 22.4% (2022 est.)

Transportation

Greece has a well-developed transportation infrastructure that includes 82 airports and extensive railway and maritime facilities.

Total railways: 2,345 km
Number of airports: 82 (2025)
Merchant marine vessels: 1,215 (2023)
Ports: 57 total ports (2024)

Communications

Greece boasts a high number of mobile cellular subscriptions, reaching 11.4 million in 2024. The internet usage is also significant, with 85% of the population being internet users.

Fixed-line telephones: 4.69 million subscriptions (2024)
Mobile cellular subscriptions: 11.4 million (2024)
Internet users: 85% of the population (2023 est.)
Broadband fixed subscriptions: 4.48 million (2023 est.)

Key Metrics

Metric	Value	Note
Population	10,424,536 (2025 est.)
Area	131,957 sq km
GDP (PPP)	$392.205 billion (2024 est.)
Unemployment Rate	10.2% (2024 est.)
Birth Rate	7.38 births/1,000 population (2025 est.)
Life Expectancy	81.9 years (2024 est.)
Energy Consumption	46.929 billion kWh (2023 est.)
Military Expenditures	2.9% of GDP (2025 est.)
Urban Population	80.7% (2023)
Total Fertility Rate	1.42 children/woman (2025 est.)