A village in central Greece is a poignant example of the demographic decline in rural areas, in beautiful landscapes dotted with villages slowly fading into the past.
This trend, driven by aging populations, low birth rates, and urban migration, threatens not only the survival of these communities but also the rich cultural heritage and traditional ways of life that have defined them for centuries.
Nestled amidst the rugged peaks of the Pindos mountain range lies Abelohori, a scattering of houses clinging to the slopes.
The village, once a bustling community where hundreds of people lived and made a living from its vineyards (Abeli is a vineyard in Greek), and livestock farming now lies almost empty. There are only 7 permanent residents, including the priest and two cafes.
Abelohori does not have a school or a doctor. All permanent residents are of age and when a health emergency arises the closest hospital is in the town of Metsovo, some 20 miles away.
Despite the hardships, the villagers told Greek Reporter they were happy in their isolation.
Village president Athanasios Nikogiannis told Greek Reporter that the mass exodus from the village occurred in the 1980s. “People abandoned the vineyards and left for the cities and tourist resorts to work in the hospitality sector…The seven permanent residents try to help each other, but our village has become a summer destination only.”
His mother is Vailiki Nikogianni, the owner of a cafe, who has been living in Abelohori for 70 years. She has seen and lived through the dramatic changes in her village. “I love my village. It’s so beautiful,” she says. “I run the cafe and I look after my garden and my flowers.”
Dimitris, the owner of the second cafe is also happy with life in the village. “There is no pollution, the landscape is beautiful and is quiet. Everything is good.”
Demographic decline in rural Greece
Depopulation is affecting rural areas across Greece, particularly in mountainous regions and smaller islands. Many villages have seen their populations halved or even reduced to a fraction of what they were a few decades ago. Some are truly “ghost villages” with only a handful of elderly residents left.
The population that remains in these villages is often heavily skewed towards older generations, with young people having moved away. This leads to a declining birth rate and further accelerates the aging process.
Rural areas often struggle with limited economic opportunities, relying heavily on agriculture, which has faced its own challenges. Young people often see little future in traditional rural livelihoods.
Basic services like healthcare, education, and transportation can be lacking or inadequate in remote villages, making them less attractive places to live, especially for families with children.
Greece is currently one of the most aging countries in Europe and, according to OECD projections, it is expected to become the most elderly country on the continent by 2050.
According to OECD’s recent report “Health at a Glance: Europe 2024,” by 2050 more than 35 percent of the Greek population will be over 65, posing a severe threat to the economy, the labor force, and the societal cohesion of the nation.
The reproduction rate in Greece is now one of the lowest in the world, standing at 1.3 children per woman. This is well below the stability limit of 2.1 children per woman.
Related: The Village That Defies the Demographic Crisis in Greece