Greece is shutting down more than 700 schools in a dramatic sign of its deepening demographic crisis. The closures, which will take effect in the 2025–2026 academic year, are the result of plummeting student enrollment linked to the nation’s declining birth rate, emigration, and aging population.
According to the Greek Ministry of Education, 721 out of 13,478 schools will be suspended in the upcoming academic year for failing to meet the minimum enrollment threshold of 15 students. This number has been steadily rising over the past decade.
Primary education is bearing the brunt of the decline:
324 primary schools are set to close.
358 kindergartens will also be suspended.
Just a few years ago, in 2018–2019, those figures stood at 247 and 312 respectively — highlighting the scale of the crisis.
The closures are not limited to remote villages and islands; even urban areas like Athens are feeling the impact. Children in rural regions are especially affected, with some now facing daily commutes of up to 50 miles (80 km) to attend another school.
A ministry official, describing the situation as “Armageddon,” warned that the demographic decline is not only ongoing but accelerating.
The school closures are just one visible symptom of Greece’s larger population collapse:
Low Fertility Rate – At around 1.3 births per woman, Greece has one of the lowest fertility rates in Europe, far below the replacement level of 2.1. Each year, deaths outnumber births.
Mass Emigration – Since the 2008 financial crisis, hundreds of thousands of young, educated Greeks have left the country, a “brain drain” that has hollowed out the nation’s working-age and childbearing population.
Rapid Aging – With longer life expectancy and fewer births, the proportion of Greeks over 65 is rising sharply, putting immense pressure on pensions, healthcare, and the economy.
Experts warn that without urgent policy changes to boost birth rates, attract young migrants, and support families, Greece’s demographic spiral could have devastating long-term effects on its economy, society, and even national security.
The school closures are now a painful reminder that Greece’s future classrooms are growing emptier by the year.
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