Greece has the necessary conditions to contribute to the global demographic problem. Its geographical location and its experience provide it with arguments to claim an important role. But to meet the challenges, it must open up to the outside world. (PA)
The results of the 2021 census confirmed Greece’s demographic decline. The current state of the population is a far cry from the exemplary census of 1961 – when the Greek statistical service was reorganized with foreign aid. The Social Research Center, the Economic Research Center and the Statistical Service then collaborate with French and American experts. Related studies and publications have had a significant impact on social research and policy, which has subsequently continued in the fields of society, economics and spatial planning.
The following census, in 1971, was carried out in a completely different state of mind. The withdrawal of the dictatorial regime and the expulsion of foreign experts destroyed this scientific momentum. Subsequently, interest in demographic issues declined as economic measurements, surveys and analyzes became more prevalent. This development reflects the radical adjustment of the context in which Greece operated. European developments and globalization have weakened interest in national processes and turned it towards foreign economic dependencies.
The demographic factor is now back in the spotlight, both inside and outside Greece. Europe is in demographic decline, with serious negative consequences – economic and otherwise. On the contrary, neighboring Africa is experiencing explosive population growth. Migration flows are increasing. Refugee flows, due to climate change or geopolitical crises, such as that in Ukraine, threaten the global balance. Globalization, combined with the digital revolution, has strengthened diaspora networks, with productive but often dangerous results. Pandemics are growing en masse. Finally, the demographic factor affects major global balances; as in China, whose desired hegemony is threatened by the consequences of the one-child policy of the Maoist regime.
In the spectacular revival of interest in demography, Greece occupies a central position. Historically, it is a workshop on demographic transformations, as it welcomed and integrated the enormous refugee population after the Asia Minor catastrophe. She repeated the feat after the end of the Cold War, integrating immigrants from former communist countries, starting with Albania. Between Europe, Africa and Asia, it constitutes a crossroads of migratory flows. A country of outgoing populations, with significant migratory flows towards the United States, Australia and Europe, Greece is at the same time a destination for refugees. Demographic decline threatens economic development; the aging of the population raises serious concerns about its future capacity to innovate and progress. A comparison between demographic decline and the demographics of revisionist Turkey raises fears for the future. Finally, the large Greek diaspora places the Greek case at the center of relevant global concerns.
This decline threatens economic development; the aging of the population raises serious concerns about its future capacity to innovate and progress
Greece urgently needs to renew and expand its concerns and knowledge on demographic issues; understand the issues, risks, solutions and opportunities concerning populations relevant to the Greek space and Greek identity: Greeks in Greece, Greeks in the diaspora, migrants and refugees on Greek territory, foreigners with prerequisites for potentially joining the Greek population.
Greece has the necessary conditions to contribute to the global demographic problem. Its geographical location and historical experience provide it with arguments to claim an important role. However, to meet the challenges and seize the opportunities, it must open up to the outside world. As in the 1960s, only openness will make it possible to mobilize scientific research and political power for such a demanding and decisive mission.
In June 2021, during an official visit to Greece by the Secretary General of the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development, Mathias Cormann, Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis presented him with a proposal for the creation of an OECD center in Crete, focused on population issues. . This particularly timely proposal places Greece at the center of international interest on the demographic issue; at the same time, it provides our country with the conditions and incentives necessary to develop innovative research on vital population issues. The Secretary-General of the OECD accepted the proposal in principle, recognizing its importance and the resulting benefits for the international organization. However, for the proposal to be approved by the 38-member council, the Greek permanent delegation to the OECD in Paris conducted long and arduous negotiations for a year, with in-depth discussions, convincing responses and systematic approaches, to overcome reservations, objections. , doubts and stereotypes. The project for an OECD center in Crete was finally unanimously approved. This Greek success represents a great opportunity which comes at a particularly sensitive time.
George Prevelakis is professor emeritus of geopolitics at Sorbonne University and permanent representative of Greece to the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development.
