Greece needs measures to address growing demographic problem: Experts

By Ahmet Gencturk

ATHENS (AA) – Greece requires comprehensive measures to address its growing demographic problem, local media reported on Friday, citing experts who stressed that the state should implement structural and comprehensive policies rather than focusing on distributing benefits.

Byron Kotzamanis, a senior demography expert at the University of Thessaly, told the daily Kathimerini, "No one will decide to have a child because the state gives them a one-off allowance."

“Demographic changes need policies that can pay off decades later, which is why they are not a priority for politicians,” he said.

The daily also quoted Maria Iliopoulou, former president of the Municipal Nursery Schools of Athens, as saying, "A necessary factor for the development of the family is security in a number of areas, such as the economy, health, education, and housing."

Moreover, economist Manos Matsaganis of the Athens University of Economics, said Greece needs high-quality free nurseries for all couples. This would produce continuous benefits for the next 50 years, he added.