Country Profile: Greece

Greece, located in Southern Europe, is known for its mountainous terrain and extensive coastline along the Aegean, Ionian, and Mediterranean Seas. With a population of approximately 10.4 million people, the country has a rich cultural heritage and a strong national identity. Greece's economy is classified as a high-income EU member, with notable contributions from tourism, agriculture, and services, although it has faced challenges from past economic crises. Governed as a parliamentary republic, Greece has made strides in improving political stability and public finances in recent years.

Geography

Greece is strategically located between Albania and Turkey, encompassing a total area of 131,957 sq km, with a distinctive landscape characterized by mountainous regions and numerous islands, approximately 2,000 in total. The country enjoys a temperate climate, with mild, wet winters and hot, dry summers. Approximately 80.7% of the population resides in urban areas, primarily around Athens.

Elevation: Highest point is Mount Olympus at 2,917 m.
Coastline: Enormous coastline of 13,676 km.
Natural resources include lignite, petroleum, and marble.

People and Society

Greece's population is estimated to be 10,424,536 as of 2025, with a median age of 46.8 years. The majority are ethnic Greeks (91.6%), and Greek is the official language spoken by nearly all citizens. The population is primarily Greek Orthodox (81-90%), with a small percentage identifying as Muslim or other religions. Urban areas like Athens and Thessaloniki are key centers, hosting the majority of the population.

Life expectancy: 81.9 years.
Urbanization rate: 80.7% of the population lives in urban areas.
Birth rate: 7.38 births/1,000 population in 2025.

Economy

Greece's economy is classified as high-income and has been recovering from a significant economic crisis that spanned nearly a decade. The nation has experienced growth driven by private consumption, EU investments, and structural reforms, with an estimated GDP purchasing power parity of $392.205 billion in 2024. The service sector dominates the economy, accounting for approximately 68% of its GDP.

Unemployment rate: Expected at 10.2% in 2024.
Gross public debt: 190.6% of GDP in 2023.
Main agricultural products: Includes maize, wheat, and olives.

Government

Greece operates as a parliamentary republic with a multi-party system. The capital is Athens, and the government consists of an Executive branch led by the Prime Minister, currently Kyriakos Mitsotakis. The Hellenic Parliament is unicameral with 300 members, elected via proportional representation. The country has undergone significant political changes since the abolition of the monarchy in 1974.

Suffrage: Universal at 17 years.
Most recent parliamentary election: Conducted on June 25, 2023.

Military and Security

The Hellenic Armed Forces comprise the Army, Navy, and Air Force, with around 112,000 active-duty personnel as of 2025. Greece maintains a significant military presence in NATO and engages in various international peacekeeping missions. Military expenditures are projected to be 2.9% of GDP in 2025, reflecting ongoing modernization and defense commitments.

Military service: Compulsory for males aged 19-45.
Deployed personnel: Approximately 1,000 in Cyprus and additional units in Kosovo and Lebanon.

Energy

Greece's electricity generation includes a mix of fossil fuels, solar, wind, and hydroelectric sources, with 100% electrification rate as of 2022. The country has made strides in developing renewable energy sources, especially in solar and wind energy production.

Installed capacity: 24.169 million kW of electricity generation.
Energy consumption per capita: 92.693 million Btu/person in 2023.

Environment

Greece faces several environmental challenges, including air and water pollution, waste disposal issues, and biodiversity loss. The country is a participant in multiple international environmental agreements aimed at promoting sustainability and addressing climate change.

Urban population: Approximately 80.7%.
Annual municipal solid waste generated: Estimated at 5.615 million tons for 2024.

Transportation

The transportation infrastructure includes 82 airports and a well-developed merchant marine fleet of 1,215 vessels. Greece's extensive coastline supports not just tourism but also shipping and trade.

Total railway length: 2,345 km as of 2020, with 731 km electrified.
Major ports: Include Piraeus, Thessaloniki, and Alexandroupoli.

Communications

Greece has a robust communications network characterized by widespread mobile and internet access. The proportion of internet users is around 85% of the population, demonstrating extensive digital connectivity.

Fixed line subscriptions: Approximately 4.69 million.
Mobile cellular subscriptions: Estimated at 11.4 million.

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.)
Life Expectancy	81.9 years (2024 est.)
Birth Rate	7.38 births/1,000 population (2025 est.)
Urban Population	80.7% (2023)