Country Profile: Greece

Greece, located in Southern Europe, is bordered by the Aegean, Ionian, and Mediterranean Seas. It boasts a strategic geographic position with a rich history of independence since 1830 and a transition to a parliamentary republic from a monarchy in 1974. With a population of approximately 10.4 million, the country has been recovering from a severe economic crisis, achieving notable growth and improving its economic outlook. Greece is an active member of the EU and NATO, highlighting its significant role in regional and international affairs.

Geography

Greece is characterized by its mountainous terrain and extensive coastline, which stretches over 13,600 km. The country has a total area of approximately 131,957 square kilometers and is home to about 2,000 islands. Its climate is temperate, with mild, wet winters and hot, dry summers, making it favorable for agriculture and tourism. The natural resources include lignite, petroleum, and marble, among others.

131,957 sq km - Total area of Greece.
13,676 km - Length of the coastline.
2,917 m - Highest point is Mount Olympus.
41.7% - Percentage of land used for agriculture (2023).
36.9% - Forested land as of 2023.

People and Society

Greece has an estimated population of 10,424,536 in 2025, with a predominantly Greek ethnicity. The country recognizes Greek as the official language and has a rich cultural heritage with a significant proportion of its population adhering to Greek Orthodox Christianity. The demographic structure indicates an aging population, with 23.6% being 65 years or older.

10.4 million - Population estimate for 2025.
81-90% - Percentage of Greek Orthodox adherents.
46.8 years - Median age in 2025.
24.9% - Adult obesity prevalence rate (2016).
81.9 years - Life expectancy at birth (2024).

Economy

Greece operates as a high-income economy within the EU, showing growth above the euro average with significant private consumption and ongoing EU investments. The economy has been stabilizing after a decade-long crisis, with improvements in unemployment and public finances. Key sectors include tourism, agriculture, and manufacturing.

$392.2 billion - Estimated real GDP (PPP) for 2024.
2.3% - Projected GDP growth rate for 2024.
10.2% - Unemployment rate estimated for 2024.
66.9% - Household consumption as a share of GDP (2023).
3.3% - Agriculture's contribution to GDP (2024).

Government

Greece is a parliamentary republic with 13 regions and an autonomous monastic state. The government emphasizes democratic principles, with the current president and prime minister leading the country. The political landscape is marked by multiple parties, with the New Democracy party currently holding a majority in the parliament.

President: Konstantinos TASOULAS (since March 2025).
Prime Minister: Kyriakos MITSOTAKIS (since June 2023).
300 - Total seats in the Hellenic Parliament.
17 years - Minimum voting age.
250 years - Date of independence from the Ottoman Empire.

Military and Security

Greece maintains a robust military force, with significant expenditures as a percentage of GDP. The Hellenic Armed Forces include the Army, Navy, and Air Force, involved in both national defense and international missions. Greece's military strategy is closely linked to its NATO membership, which plays a crucial role in its national security framework.

2.9% - Military expenditures as a percentage of GDP (2025).
112,000 - Active-duty military personnel (2025).
1,000 - Troops deployed in Cyprus.
12-month - Mandatory military service for men.
1952 - Year Greece joined NATO.

Energy

Greece's energy sector is evolving, heavily reliant on fossil fuels while also increasing its renewable energy capacity through solar and wind technologies. The country achieved full electricity access for its population and is working towards more sustainable energy practices.

100% - Electrification rate (2022).
24.169 million kW - Installed electricity generating capacity (2023).
48.9% - Percentage of installed capacity from fossil fuels (2023).
17.5% - Contribution of solar energy to total capacity (2023).
3.344 billion cubic meters - Natural gas consumption (2023).

Environment

Environmental challenges in Greece include air and water pollution, loss of biodiversity, and waste disposal issues. The country is a party to several international environmental agreements, showing a commitment to addressing these concerns while managing its natural resources.

80.7% - Urban population as of 2023.
62.06 million metric tonnes - CO2 emissions (2023).
22.4% - Municipal solid waste recycled (2022).
41.7% - Agricultural land usage for total land (2023).
1.687 billion cubic meters - Municipal water withdrawal (2022).

Transportation

Greece has a well-developed transportation infrastructure, including a network of roads, railways, and maritime connections. The country's strategic location aids in its connectivity and trade, with the merchant marine being one of the largest globally.

82 - Number of airports (2025).
1,215 - Total merchant vessels (2023).
57 - Total number of ports (2024).
2,345 km - Total length of railways (2020).
59 - Heliports available (2025).

Communications

The communications sector in Greece is thriving with high rates of internet penetration and mobile subscriptions. The country boasts a mix of private and state-owned media, contributing to a diverse information landscape.

85% - Internet usage among the population (2023).
11.4 million - Mobile subscriptions (2024).
4.69 million - Fixed-line phone subscriptions (2024).
4.48 million - Fixed broadband subscriptions (2023).
44 - Fixed broadband subscriptions per 100 inhabitants (2023).

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.)
Energy Consumption Per Capita	92.693 million Btu/person (2023 est.)
Life Expectancy	81.9 years (2024 est.)
Birth Rate	7.38 births/1,000 population (2025 est.)
Military Expenditures	2.9% of GDP (2025 est.)
Total Renewable Water Resources	68 billion cubic meters (2022 est.)
CO2 Emissions	62.06 million metric tonnes (2023 est.)