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Mapping the General Fertility Rate in Greece: A Time-Trend Nationwide Analysis (1956-2024)
Chrysi Christodoulaki1, Nikolaos Vlachadis2, Charalampos Theofanakis2
1Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, General Hospital of Chania, Chania, GRC.
Cureus
|August 11, 2026
Summary
Greece
Area of Science:
- Demography
- Public Health
- Sociology
Background:
- Accurate fertility rate assessment is crucial for understanding population dynamics.
- It informs healthcare, socioeconomic planning, and family policies.
- Long-term trends in Greece's general fertility rate (GFR) were investigated.
Purpose of the Study:
- To analyze long-term trends in the general fertility rate (GFR) in Greece.
- To identify periods of change and contributing factors.
- To provide data for policy-making and demographic analysis.
Main Methods:
- Utilized nationwide data on live births and women aged 15-44 (1956-2024).
- Calculated General Fertility Rate (GFR) and age-standardized GFR (ASGFR).
- Employed Joinpoint regression to analyze temporal trends and annual percent changes (APCs).
Main Results:
- GFR showed a sustained long-term decline from 1956-2024, reaching a historic low in 2024.
- Periods of decline and a temporary increase (1999-2009) were observed.
- From 2009-2024, fertility decline and age structure shifts contributed to the GFR decrease, with fertility decline being dominant in 2021-2024.
Conclusions:
- Greece experienced a sustained, long-term decrease in GFR over nearly seven decades.
- A historic low GFR was recorded in 2024, despite a temporary recovery.
- The recent decline is attributed to fertility reduction and unfavorable age structure changes.
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