Greece's demographic trajectory, changes in the labor market, and the expectations of young people were at the center of the second session, titled "The real picture of Greece – What the numbers show". Experts from the fields of demography, economics, labor, and social research presented the challenges shaping the country's future, highlighting the need for immediate and targeted policies.
Vyron Kotzamanis: A Greece with profound demographic changes by 2050
The country's demographic outlook was presented by Vyron Kotzamanis, Director of the Institute of Demographic Research and Studies (IDEM), through his presentation on the topic “Greece's demographic trajectory until 2050”.
As he pointed out, regardless of the different development scenarios, Greece is expected to face a significant increase in the population aged 65 and over, while the population of productive ages will decline. The effects of demographic changes include a reduction in the labor force, a decline in births, and an intensification of population aging.
According to the data presented, by 2030 births may be limited to 65,000, while the reduction in workers due to demographic developments is estimated at approximately 1.2 million. At the same time, the Greece of 2050 is expected to show significant social differentiations, with changes in the form of the family and increased care needs for the elderly, including people aged 65 and over who will not have children.
Mr. Kotzamanis emphasized that the population is governed by demographic inertia, which means that today's trends affect its development for many years. Despite the grim forecasts, he stressed the need for a positive and meaningful approach to demography, which will allow society to prepare for the changes that are coming.
Nikos Vettas: Immediate policies for the Greece of the future
Nikos Vettas, General Director of the Foundation for Economic and Industrial Research (IOBE) and Professor at the Athens University of Economics and Business, referred to the possibility of changing the country's course through policy interventions.
The question raised was whether there is room to change the way Greece will be shaped over the next 30 years. Mr. Vettas emphasized increasing women's participation in the labor market, strengthening resources for children from families with lower financial means, and creating an effective long-term care system.
At the same time, he pointed out the need to foresee the required resources in time, so that policies are not limited to fragmented interventions. In the context of addressing demographic challenges, he also referred to encouraging migration, as well as the possibility of attracting people through the education system.
The attraction of students and human capital from abroad, according to his approach, can contribute to the upgrading of Greek educational institutions. As he stressed, population decline does not mean the end of the world; however, the immediate implementation of policies that will limit its effects is required.
Aris Alexopoulos: The labor market at the center
Aris Alexopoulos, Head of the OECD Centre in Crete, referred to the challenges of the labor market, noting that humanity is for the first time faced with a reality in which young people are a minority.
The demographic issue, as he said, has now emerged as a priority for governments, but the question of the measures that must be implemented in the labor market remains critical. Increasing employment, utilizing the available human potential, and strengthening productivity are key pillars in addressing the challenges.
He made special reference to women's participation in work, noting that studies link higher female employment with an increase in births. At the same time, he pointed out the existence of gender and age discrimination, which limit employment opportunities.
Mr. Alexopoulos also emphasized the need for intensive education and retraining, as well as for the upgrading of vocational education, which, as he said, has suffered a significant decline. In the same context, he spoke of creating a pool of workers from migratory flows, as well as strengthening productivity through the diffusion of new technologies in small and medium-sized enterprises.
Stratos Fanaras: Young people are seeking their own path
Stratos Fanaras, President and CEO of Metron Analysis, presented the perceptions, expectations, and difficulties of the new generation through the survey "The path of young people's lives".
The survey highlighted young people's effort to chart their own course in working and social life, maintaining the expectation that they will be able to live better. However, this optimism coexists with the feeling that living conditions have become more difficult compared to those of previous generations.
In particular, 65% of young people believe that they live worse than their parents' generations, a finding that reflects their concerns about the economic and social future. Despite the difficulties, the family continues to be an important network of protection and support for children, functioning as a basic mechanism of security.
Young people's priorities include financial comfort, travel experiences, and the possibility of a balanced life. At the same time, studies are no longer seen only as a first step toward professional rehabilitation, but are linked to the continuous acquisition of knowledge and skills, necessary for adapting to the changing demands of the labor market.
The demographic issue as a collective challenge
The speakers' remarks highlighted the connection between demographic developments, the economy, employment, and social cohesion. The decline in births and the labor force, population aging, and the difficulties faced by young people create a complex environment for Greece in the coming decades.
Addressing these challenges requires policies that strengthen employment, support the family, make use of human potential, and invest in education and technology. The issue is not only recording demographic changes, but also the timely preparation of the country for a society that will be different from today's.