This chapter analyses recent emigration flows from Greece. Using national statistics and the OECD International Migration Database, it traces the evolution of outflows since the mid‑2000s, highlighting the sharp surge during the sovereign-debt crisis and the subsequent stabilisation. The chapter compares movements towards major and emerging destination countries, showing a gradual reorientation from traditional long-distance settlement countries towards shorter-distance European destinations, particularly within the European Union.
A Review of Greek Emigrants
Abstract
Emigration flows from Greece to other OECD countries have undergone major shifts since the mid‑2000s, with the sovereign-debt crisis marking a decisive turning point. After remaining relatively stable at around 14 000‑15 000 departures annually between 2005 and 2010, according to OECD data, flows rose sharply during the crisis, reaching almost 33 000 in 2011 and peaking between 46 000 and 56 000 from 2012 to 2019.
Beginning in 2020, emigration flows have been steadily declining. Since 2021, outflows of Greek citizens have continued to decline, approaching their 2010 level, with about 32 100 departures recorded.
Long-distance emigration to traditional settlement countries is stable but increasingly marginal relative to intra-European mobility. The United States continues to attract the highest number of Greek migrants among long-distance destinations, followed by Canada and Australia. These flows rose during the crisis years but have since stabilised or declined, especially in Australia, where new inflows remain low.
Germany remains a primary destination for Greek emigrants, though its dominance has weakened over time. Crisis-era inflows exceeded 32 000 in both 2012 and 2013, but numbers have moderated since, declining to around 16 500 in 2024. Despite this decline, Germany continues to play a central role in attracting Greeks, supported by EU freedom of movement and established migrant networks.
Emigration towards smaller European destinations has expanded considerably, likely driven by labour market conditions and student mobility. The Netherlands stands out, with inflows increasing about sevenfold since 2005 and reaching more than 6 000 in 2022.
Nordic countries have become increasingly attractive destinations, although they account for a relatively limited share of total flows. Sweden has consistently received the largest Greek inflows in the region, with entries surging during the crisis and again after 2020. Norway and Denmark also show steady increases, likely reflecting favourable labour market conditions and targeted recruitment initiatives in selected sectors.
Net inflows have been consistently positive in many European destinations, with especially large increases in the Netherlands and Switzerland since 2010. In contrast, net migration to Germany turned negative in 2024 for the first time since the crisis years.
Greek emigration remains male‑dominated overall, but gender patterns vary by destination. Traditional settlement countries record near parity, with women representing 45‑49% of inflows to the United States and Australia. Nordic destinations show a clear upward trend in female migration, with Sweden approaching parity. By contrast, in Western and Central Europe, especially Austria and Germany, women consistently account for less than half of new arrivals.
This chapter draws on data on annual migration flows to present recent trends in emigration from Greece. Because these flows capture recent decisions to emigrate, they provide insight into current emigration behaviour, offering a timely picture of how migration patterns have evolved in the years following the economic crisis, the pandemic, and the implementation of new policies and practices (see Chapter 6). Unlike migrant stocks discussed in Chapter 1, which reflect the cumulative outcome of past movements shaped by earlier historical conditions, flows capture current mobility decisions and are therefore particularly informative about contemporary drivers and destinations.
Estimates of total emigration from Greece to all destination countries, based on calculations by the national statistical office (ELSTAT), display that outflows of Greek citizens rose sharply in the aftermath of the global financial and sovereign debt crises, reflecting a pronounced wave of emigration, but have been steadily declining since 2012.
Outflows of Greek citizens from Greece have been steadily declining since 2012
Annual departures more than doubled from 28 300 in 2010 to a peak of 65 264 in 2012, before gradually easing but remaining elevated through the mid‑2010s (around 54 000‑56 000 per year between 2014 and 2016) (see Figure 2.1). From 2017 onwards, outflows steadily declined, falling below 50 000 in 2018 and to 45 478 in 2019. Since 2021, outflows of Greek citizens have continued to decline, approaching their 2010 level, with 32 141 departures recorded.
Outflows of Greek citizens from Greece, 2010-2024
Note: Emigration is defined as the action by which a person, having previously been usual resident in the territory of the country, ceases to have his or her usual residence in the country for a period that is, or is expected to be, at least 12 months. Migration flows are estimated (except persons related to international or temporary protection requests) based on regression models. Disaggregation of estimated emigration flows by age is based on 2021 census results.
Source: Hellenic Statistical Authority, Statistics – ELSTAT, https://www.statistics.gr/en/statistics/-/publication/SPO15/-.
This section outlines the evolution of Greek emigration flows to OECD countries since the mid‑2000s, describing how annual movements have changed over time and by country of destination. This section presents flow data for main destination countries identified in Chapter 1 for which reliable data are available in the International Migration Database.
The economic crisis marked a turning point in recent Greek emigration patterns
Migration flows from Greece to OECD countries were stable between 2005 and 2010, fluctuating around 14 000‑15 000 persons annually before increasing to over 19 500 in 2010 (see Figure 2.2). A sharp rise followed the onset of the Greek sovereign-debt crisis: flows to other OECD countries more than doubled between 2009 and 2011, reaching close to 33 000 (OECD, 2021[1]), and then surged further to nearly 52 000 in 2012. This escalation coincides with the deep contraction of the Greek economy, severe labour market deterioration, and historically high unemployment rates, particularly among youth (OECD, 2016[2]). Flows remained around 46 000 to 56 000 between 2012 and 2019.
After peaking at 55 760 in 2019, migration flows from Greece to OECD countries declined sharply to 32 543 in 2020, likely reflecting the widespread mobility restrictions and economic uncertainty associated with the COVID‑19 pandemic. This drop mirrors global patterns observed across OECD countries, where border closures, travel disruptions, and the suspension of visa processing significantly curtailed international mobility (OECD, 2021[1]). As restrictions eased, flows began to increase again, rising to over 34 000 in 2021 and over 38 000 in 2023, although remaining below pre‑pandemic levels (see Figure 2.2). The gradual rebound is consistent with evidence indicating that migration intentions persisted despite the pandemic, with movement resuming once public health measures were lifted and labour market conditions stabilised in major destination countries. It is also consistent with Greece’s introduction of targeted return‑incentive measures during this period (see Chapter 6), which may have supported the recovery of return flows.
Inflows of Greek citizens to OECD countries, 2005‑2023
Note: The OECD International Migration Database captures annual legal migration flows of both permanent and temporary entries, except for the United States, Canada, and Australia where only permanent migrants are recorded. Data refer exclusively to OECD destination countries and are based on immigration statistics reported by receiving countries; these data are not fully harmonised across destinations. All figures are obtained as the sum of standardised gross flows for countries where they are available. Data is not complete for Ireland, Latvia, Lithuania, Portugal, Türkiye, and the United Kingdom.
Source: OECD International Migration Database, http://dx.doi.org/10.1787/data-00342-en.
Emigration from Greece to English-speaking settlement countries has remained broadly stable over the last two decades, with a notable increase during the economic crisis
An examination of flows to long-distance English-speaking destinations shows how mobility patterns have evolved outside Europe over the past two decades.1 Across these countries, the United States consistently receives the largest number of Greek emigrants, with annual inflows ranging from around 650 to over 1 400 between 2005 and 2024 (see Figure 2.3). After a decline during the onset of the economic crisis, arrivals rose sharply from 2011 onward, reaching 1 302 in 2013 and peaking at 1 422 in 2016, before stabilising between 900 and 1 300 in more recent years.
In Canada, inflows are smaller but show a clear upward trajectory during the crisis years. Arrivals increased from around 100 per year in the mid‑2000s to a high of 477 in 2015, before settling into a range of 245 to 415 in the years that followed. Much like the United States, Canada saw a noticeable increase in arrivals beginning in 2011.
Similarly, in Australia, annual arrivals remained modest through the mid‑2000s, but the economic crisis in Greece prompted a brief resurgence of interest in Australia as a destination. Inflows rose sharply from 296 in 2012 to 531 in 2013, peaking at 604 in 2014, as some Greeks sought opportunities beyond Europe during the most acute years of the recession. Yet this surge proved temporary. From 2015 onward, arrivals declined steadily, falling back to 124 by 2024, suggesting that Australia’s appeal during the crisis years did not translate into a sustained new migration wave.
Inflows of Greek citizens to Australia, Canada and the United States, 2005‑2024
Note: The OECD International Migration Database captures annual legal migration flows of both permanent and temporary entries, except for the United States, Canada and Australia where only permanent migrants are recorded.
Source: OECD International Migration Database, http://dx.doi.org/10.1787/data-00342-en.
With about 16 500 Greek emigrants arriving in 2024, Germany has remained a major destination for Greek emigrants
Germany has remained a major destination for Greek emigrants, with flows rising markedly during the years of the economic crisis. Following relatively stable levels of around 8 000‑9 000 entrants annually before 2010, movements increased sharply thereafter, peaking at over 32 000 in 2012 and 2013 (see Figure 2.4). This surge suggests that Germany’s labour market conditions, combined with the advantages of EU freedom of movement, may have made it an especially attractive option for Greeks seeking employment opportunities during the crisis period. Established networks in the country may have also contributed to Germany being a preferred destination country at this time.
While inflows gradually declined after 2014, they have remained well above pre‑crisis levels, indicating that Germany continues to play a significant role as a destination for Greek talent. More recently, flows have continued to decline between 2022 and 2024 from about 19 500 to 16 500 yearly, pointing to a sustained yet declining interest in Germany as a migration destination even as economic conditions in Greece have improved.
Inflows of Greek citizens to Germany, 2005‑2024
Source: OECD International Migration Database, http://dx.doi.org/10.1787/data-00342-en.
Greek emigration to smaller European destinations has generally exhibited growth in recent years
Emigration from Greece to smaller European destinations such as Belgium, the Netherlands and Switzerland has generally exhibited steady growth over the past two decades, although total flows remain modest compared with Germany (see Figure 2.5). In Belgium, flows rose from 716 in 2005 to just over 1 500 by 2022. Switzerland also attracted growing numbers, from 331 in 2005 to 2 452 in 2023. The Netherlands shows a particularly notable increase, from 846 in 2005 to 6 292 in 2022, which is likely related to Greek students’ heightened interest in studying in the Netherlands post Brexit (see Chapter 5).
These findings are consistent with Eurostat data on EU free movement which shows that in recent years the Netherlands consistently ranks among the top destinations for intra-EU movers. In fact, in 2021, the Netherlands accounted for around 8% of all intra-EU movement (Eurostat, 2023[3]). Another factor that may help explain the marked increase in Greek migration to the Netherlands since the onset of the COVID‑19 pandemic is that the Netherlands maintained a high employment rate even during the pandemic (European Employment Services, 2025[4]) It is also worth noting that the number of international students in the country tripled between 2005 and 2022, reaching 115 000 and comprising 40% of university enrolment (OECD, 2024[5]). This is consistent with findings in Chapter 5, that indicate an increase in Greek student enrolment in the Netherlands between 2014 and 2022.
Inflows of Greek citizens to Belgium, the Netherlands and Switzerland, 2005‑2024
Source: OECD International Migration Database, http://dx.doi.org/10.1787/data-00342-en.
Greek emigration to the Nordic countries has remained relatively modest, but flows have shown gradual growth. Sweden has consistently received the largest number of Greek migrants in the region, with annual inflows rising from around 300 in 2005, reaching over 1 300 in 2012 and 2013, decreasing to about 750 in 2020 and 2021, and increasing again to over 1 200 in 2022 (see Figure 2.6). Norway and Denmark have experienced smaller but steadily increasing flows, with Greek arrivals rising from roughly 50‑70 per year in the mid‑2000s to over 700 in Norway and more than 800 in Denmark in recent years. While total numbers remain modest relative to Germany or the Netherlands, the sustained increase suggests that the Nordic countries have appeal as destinations offering stable labour markets and support.
Historical migration links and sustained institutional co‑operation may help explain the relatively high and persistent emigration from Greece to Sweden. Labour migration flows in the 1960s and 1970s established strong bilateral ties, resulting in a pool of Greek workers with Swedish language skills and familiarity with the Swedish labour market among Greeks. Since the mid‑2010s, organisations such as EURES Sweden have reinforced these connections by organising joint Sweden – Greece European Job Days, for example, facilitating the recruitment of Greek health professionals, IT specialists and life science experts. This targeted co‑operation may be one factor that can help account for Sweden’s attractiveness and the continued momentum of Greek emigration to Sweden (European Employment Services, 2017[6]).
Inflows of Greek citizens to Denmark, Norway and Sweden, 2005‑2024
Note: 2024 data for Denmark was not yet available at the time of publication.
Source: OECD International Migration Database, http://dx.doi.org/10.1787/data-00342-en.
This section provides an overview of how net migration of Greeks from various OECD countries has shifted over time, setting the stage for a closer examination of the drivers behind these movements. Net flows of Greeks are positive whenever more Greek citizens migrate to a particular OECD country than leave it, while the reverse results in negative net flows.
The section draws on the limited outflow data available from destination countries, thus focussing on destination countries with more comprehensive and consistent reporting. Because migration flow statistics are collected differently across countries and often rely on administrative systems that do not fully capture all movements, the figures presented here should be interpreted with caution. Even for the selected destinations, gaps in coverage and differences in recording practices mean that the data provide useful indications of trends rather than precise measures of total flows. For the Netherlands, Sweden, Switzerland, Belgium and Germany, data are available on both the arrivals and departures of Greek citizens. In these cases, it is possible to calculate net migration flows of Greek citizens by subtracting the number of departures from the number of arrivals.
Net migration has remained positive in many major European destinations
Among major destination countries, patterns vary, but overall trends point to sustained Greek populations. Net migration to the Netherlands has grown markedly over the past two decades, rising from 166 in 2005 to more than 3 300 in 2022 before easing to around 1 760 in 2024 (see Figure 2.7). In the Netherlands, the sharp drop in net migration in 2020 coincides with the COVID‑19 mobility restrictions and may also reflect the high share of Greek students in the country, whose movements are particularly sensitive to travel disruptions and university‑related shifts.
Switzerland shows a similar pattern of persistent increases, with net inflows rising from 416 in 2010 to over 1 700 in 2023 and easing but remaining relatively high in 2024. Sweden experienced a peak during the crisis years, reaching around 1 100 in 2012 and 2013, followed by moderate levels since the COVID‑19 pandemic. Belgium shows smaller but consistently positive net inflows after 2008, indicating ongoing though more modest expansion of Greek communities in these destinations.
Net migration flows of Greek citizens, Switzerland, the Netherlands, Belgium and Sweden, 2005‑2024
Note: Countries were selected based on major destination countries from Greece with available inflow and outflow data. Figures refer to the difference between the annual gross inflow and the annual gross outflow of Greek citizens of all ages from each destination country.
Source: OECD International Migration Database, http://dx.doi.org/10.1787/data-00342-en.
Net migration flows between Greece and Germany have shifted dramatically over the past two decades. Between 2005 and 2009, net migration was consistently negative, with annual losses of between 6 000 and 8 000 Greeks (see Figure 2.8). A pronounced turning point occurred in 2010, followed by a rapid surge: by 2011 net migration had climbed above 12 600, rising further to more than 20 000 in 2012. These exceptionally high values coincide with the peak years of the sovereign debt crisis, when Germany’s labour market and freedom of movement offered comparatively accessible opportunities for Greek workers seeking stability. Since 2012, net flows have continued to decline, leading to a return to a negative flow of around 1 200 persons in 2024.
Net migration flows of Greek citizens, Germany, 2005‑2024
Note: Figures refer to the difference between the annual gross inflow and the annual gross outflow of Greek citizens of all ages.
Source: OECD International Migration Database, http://dx.doi.org/10.1787/data-00342-en.
This section introduces recent trends in the gender composition of Greek emigrant inflows to major destination countries with available data. It examines how the share of women and men among new arrivals has evolved over time.
Greek emigration between 2005 and 2023 has largely remained male‑dominated
Across long-standing destinations such as the United States, Australia and Canada, Greek emigration between 2005 and 2023 has consistently remained male‑dominated, although the degree of imbalance varies across years and destinations. In the United States, the share of women remained just below parity, generally between 45% and 49%, with only a few temporary dips pushing the female share lower (see Figure 2.9). Australia shows a similar pattern: while the gender distribution fluctuates, most years fall within the 41‑49% range, aside from a short-lived dip in 2012 and rise in 2021. Canada exhibits somewhat greater variability, but the overall pattern remains the same: women account for less than half of new arrivals in most years, with only occasional years in which the female share reached parity.
Across the Nordic destinations, the share of women among Greek emigrant inflows has trended upward over time, even if it generally remains below half. In Denmark, women accounted for roughly one‑third to just under one half of arrivals, rising from mid‑30s in 2008‑2010 to about 42‑47% in recent years (see Figure 2.10). Norway shows a similar pattern, increasing from below 30% in 2005 to about 41‑44% by 2021‑2023. Sweden records the highest and most sustained female shares, climbing from the high 30% range in the mid‑2000s to around 49% in 2019, briefly exceeding half in 2020‑2021, then easing to 45‑47% by 2022‑2023.
Inflows of Greek citizens who are women to Australia, Canada and the United States, 2005‑2023
Note: The OECD International Migration Database captures annual legal migration flows of both permanent and temporary entries, except for the United States, Canada and Australia where only permanent migrants are recorded.
Source: OECD International Migration Database, http://dx.doi.org/10.1787/data-00342-en.
Inflows of Greek citizens who are women to Denmark, Norway and Sweden, 2005‑2023
Source: OECD International Migration Database, http://dx.doi.org/10.1787/data-00342-en.
Across major Western and Central European destinations, women continue to represent less than half of arrivals in most countries (see Figure 2.11). Germany shows a stable pattern, with women representing about 38‑42% of new arrivals throughout the period, indicating limited change over time. The Netherlands records slightly higher female shares, generally in the low‑40s. Switzerland shows a comparable pattern, with female shares hovering around the mid‑40% range over the past decade. Belgium stands out with consistently higher female representation, often reaching 48‑55%.
Inflows of Greek citizens who are women to Belgium, Germany, the Netherlands and Switzerland, 2005‑2023
Source: OECD International Migration Database, http://dx.doi.org/10.1787/data-00342-en.
References
[4] European Employment Services (2025), Labour Market Information: Netherlands, https://eures.europa.eu/living-and-working/labour-market-information/labour-market-information-netherlands_fr.
[6] European Employment Services (2017), Sweden invites Greek health specialists to move north.
[3] Eurostat (2023), Migration and Asylum in Europe, https://ec.europa.eu/eurostat/web/interactive-publications/migration-2023.
[5] OECD (2024), International Migration Outlook 2024, OECD Publishing, Paris, https://doi.org/10.1787/50b0353e-en.
[1] OECD (2021), International Migration Outlook 2021, OECD Publishing, Paris, https://doi.org/10.1787/29f23e9d-en.
[2] OECD (2016), OECD Economic Surveys: Greece 2016, OECD Publishing, Paris, https://doi.org/10.1787/eco_surveys-grc-2016-en.
← 1. Reliable annual inflow data for the United Kingdom are not available and are therefore not included in this section, allowing the analysis to focus on three destinations: Australia, Canada and the United States.