Greece Story

I often essay about birth rates in Europe and how they relate to continuing 'woes'.  So this is one of those.

There's a piece Ekatheimerini which chats about this Greek population shift.  So for the benefit of folks....the national birth rate in Greece is 1.34 (meaning a couple will produce at best only 1.3 kids).  So the population is in decline.

But there's this other issue going on as well.  Since the big economic stumble of 2008, folks with degrees and skillcrafts have been leaving the country.  You can figure at least 300,000 have moved out of Greece to find work.  At some point in 2010, the population peaked out at just over 11-million.  Right now, they are near 10.7-million and probably by 2025 will be below the 10-million point.

Can Greece and it's social welfare system survive?  It's a legit question to ask but the answer is discouraging.  The other question worth asking....will smaller Greek villages survive?  With no jobs, most of the youth will drift off to larger cities.

All of this is a bit negative and you have to wonder in the decade ahead.....can Greece find some return path?  I have my doubts.

I've spent probably six weeks of my life in Greece on vacations.  It's one of my more favorite places to go.  There's just something enchanting about the region, and the attitude of the Greeks.  I hate to describe as some real-life Disneyland, but it has all the character and charm that make you fall for the place.  But that's as a tourist.....not as a permanent resident.

Would you even want to have more kids, when the system can't really support those today?  I think Greeks examine this issue, and assume that one single kid is often enough.