Reference metadata describe statistical concepts and methodologies used for the collection and generation of data. They provide information on data quality and, since they are strongly content-oriented, assist users in interpreting the data. Reference metadata, unlike structural metadata, can be decoupled from the data.
Data and metadata are transmitted to Eurostat by the Member States in the framework of the Unified Demographic Data Collection which is in accordance with Regulation (EC) No 862/2007 and Regulation (EU) No 1260/2013 and their implementing regulations.
The regional breakdown of the Member States in the regional demographic tables is done under the most recent NUTS classification. There are agreements between Eurostat and Candidate countries as well as between Eurostat and EFTA countries, for which statistical regions have been coded in a way that resembles NUTS.
For more information on the versions in force, please see: Eurostat NUTS.
3.3. Coverage - sector
Entire country.
3.4. Statistical concepts and definitions
3.4.1 Statistical concepts and definitions used in the statistics transmitted to Eurostat
1.Usually Resident Population
2. Legal Residence Population
3. Registered Residence Population
4. Other
Population
X
Live births
X
Deaths
X
Immigrants
X
Emigrants
X
Acquisitions of citizenship
X
Loss of citizenship
Not applicable.
Legally induced abortions
Not applicable.
Late foetal deaths
X
Infant deaths
X
Marriages
X
Divorces
X
3.4.2 Statistical concepts and definitions used in the statistics disseminated in the National Statistical Institute's website
Population
Population is the “usual resident population”, the place where a person normally spends the daily period of rest, regardless of temporary absences, for a period of at least 12 months.
Live births
“Birth” is the birth of a child which breathes or shows any other evidence of life, regardless of gestational age.
Deaths
“Death” is the permanent disappearance of all evidence of vital functions, at any time after birth.
Immigrants
“Immigrant” means a person undertaking an immigration. “Immigration” means the action by which a person establishes his or her usual residence in the territory of the Country for a period that is, or is expected to be, at least 12 months, having previously been usually resident in another country.
Emigrants
“Emigrant” means a person undertaking an emigration. “Emigration” means the action by witch a person, having previously been usually resident in the territory of the Country, ceases to have his or her usual residence in the Country for a period that is, or expected to be, at least 12 months.
Acquisitions of citizenship
Acquisitions of citizenship is the number of persons having their usual residence in the territory of the Country and having acquired during the reference year the citizenship of the Country and having formerly held the citizenship of another country or having formerly been stateless.
Loss of citizenship
Not available.
Legally induced abortions
Not available.
Late foetal deaths
Late foetal deaths are foetal deaths of 28 or more weeks of gestation.
Infant deaths
Deaths of infants of age less than one year.
Marriages
Registered Partnerships are not included.
Divorces
A divorce is a dissolution of a marriage.
3.4.3 Differences in statistical concepts and definitions between the statistics transmitted to Eurostat and those disseminated in the National Statistics Institute's website
Population
No difference.
Live births
No difference.
Deaths
No difference.
Immigrants
No difference.
Emigrants
No difference.
Acquisitions of citizenship
No difference.
Loss of citizenship
Not available.
Legally induced abortions
Not available.
Late foetal deaths
No difference.
Infant deaths
No difference.
Marriages
No difference.
Divorces
No difference.
3.5. Statistical unit
Number of persons.
3.6. Statistical population
Statistical population
Population
Population means the “usual resident population”.
“Usually resident population” means all persons having their usual residence in the country at the reference time.
“Usual residence” means the place where a person normally spends the daily period of rest, regardless of temporary absences for purposes of recreation, holidays, visits to friends and relatives, business, medical treatment or religious pilgrimage. The following persons alone shall be considered to be usual residents of a specific geographical area:
those who have lived in their place of usual residence for a continuous period of at least 12 months before the reference time; or
those who arrived in their place of usual residence during the 12 months before the reference time with the expectation of staying there for at least one year.
Live births
“Live birth” means the birth of a child who breathes or shows any other evidence of life, such as beating of the heart, pulsation of the umbilical cord or definite movement of voluntary muscles, regardless of gestational age. Data refer to births by mothers who have usual residence in the country.
Deaths
“Death” means the permanent disappearance of all evidence of life at any time after live birth has taken place (post-natal cessation of vital functions without capability of resuscitation); Data refer to deceased who had usual residence in the country.
Immigrants
“Immigrant” means a person undertaking an immigration. Immigration means the action by which a person establishes his or her usual residence in the territory of the country for a period that is, or is expected to be, of at least 12 months, having previously been usually resident in another country.
Emigrants
“Emigrant” means a person undertaking an emigration. Emigration means the action by which a person, having previously been usually 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, of at least 12 months
Acquisitions of citizenship
“Citizenship” means the particular legal bond between an individual and his or her State, acquired by birth or naturalisation, whether by declaration, choice, marriage or other means according to national legislation. Data refer to persons who have usual residence in the country.
Loss of citizenship
Not available.
Legally induced abortions
Not available.
Late foetal deaths
Late foetal deaths are foetal deaths of 28 or more weeks of gestation.
Infant deaths
Deaths of infants of age less than one year.
Marriages
Registered Partnerships are not included.
Divorces
A divorce is a dissolution of a marriage.
3.7. Reference area
Population, vital events data are available at national and regional level (NUTSIII) of geographical detail.
Migration flows data are available at national level.
3.8. Coverage - Time
Vital statistics data are available since 1933, whereas estimated population since 1956 (1981 at NUTS3 level).
Regarding migration, data are available for the time period 2008–2023.
3.9. Base period
Not applicable.
Data are collected or estimated at unit (person) level.
The reference date for population data is the end of the reference period (midnight of 31 December 2023).
The reference period for vital events data is the calendar year in which the events occurred (2023).
The reference period for migration flow data is the calendar year in which the migration occurred (2023).
6.1. Institutional Mandate - legal acts and other agreements
Regulation on the Operation and Administration of the Hellenic Statistical Authority (ELSTAT), 2012 (Government Gazette 2390 B, 28 August 2012);
Regulation on the Statistical Obligations of the agencies of the Hellenic Statistical System (Government Gazette 4083 Β, 20 December 2016);
Greek Commitment on Confidence in Statistics (Government Gazette 40 A, 29 February 2012);
Regulation (EC) No 223/2009 on European statistics, as amended by Regulation (EU) 2015/759;
European Statistics Code of Practice (CoP) – revised edition 2017;
Regulation (EU) 2016/679 OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND OF THE COUNCIL of 27 April 2016 on the protection of natural persons with regard to the processing of personal data and on the free movement of such data, and repealing Directive 95/46/EC (General Data Protection Regulation - GDPR);
Presidential Decree 73/2019 (Government Gazette No 114, Issue Α,04 July 2019): “Organization of the Hellenic Statistical Authority (ELSTAT)” (available only in Greek);
Law 4624/2019 (Government Gazette Α΄137 / 29 August 2019) “Hellenic Data Protection Authority, measures implementing Regulation (EU) 2016/679 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 27 April 2016 for the protection of natural persons with regard to the processing of personal data and transposition (into national law) Directive (EU) 2016/680 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 27 April 2016 and other provisions" (available only in Greek).
Population and migration statistics are also regulated by European legislation as follows:
Regulation (EU) No 1260/2013 of the European Parliament and of the Council on European Demographic statistics (L330/39);
Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) No 205/2014 laying down uniformed conditions for the implementation of Regulation (EU) No 1260/2013 of the European Parliament and the Council on European demographic statistics, as regards breakdowns of data, deadlines and data revisions;
Regulation (EC) No 862/2007 (L199/2007) of the European Parliament and of the Council on Community statistics on migration and international protection, in particular Article 3 “Statistics on international migration, usually resident population and acquisition of citizenship”;
Regulation (EU) No 351/2010 of the Commission implementing Regulation (EC) No 862/2007 of the European Parliament and of the Council on Community statistics on migration and international protection as regards the definitions of the categories of the groups of country of birth, groups of country of previous usual residence, groups of country of next usual residence and groups of citizenships.
6.2. Institutional Mandate - data sharing
Data are collected by the national statistical authorities in the context of the “Common Annual International Collection of Migration Data”.
This data collection is granted by Eurostat in collaboration with the Statistics Department of the United Nations,
the United Nation’s Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE),
and the International Labor Organization (ILO).
7.1. Confidentiality - policy
The issues concerning the observance of statistical confidentiality by the Hellenic Statistical Authority (ELSTAT) are arranged by articles 7, 8 and 9 of the Law 3832/2010 as in force, by Articles 8, 10 and 11(2) of the Regulation on Statistical Obligations of the agencies of the Hellenic Statistical System and by Articles 10 and 15 of the Regulation on the Operation and Administration of ELSTAT.
More precisely:
ELSTAT disseminates the statistics in compliance with the statistical principles of the European Statistics Code of Practice and in particular with the principle of statistical confidentiality.
Protection of personal data
ELSTAT abides by the commitments and obligations arising from the applicable EU and national legislation on the protection of the individual from the processing of personal data and the relevant decisions, guidelines and regulatory acts of the Hellenic Data Protection Authority.
Pursuant to the Regulation on the protection of natural persons with regard to the processing of personal data [Regulation (EU) 2016/679 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 27 April 2016 (General Data Protection Regulation - GDPR)], ELSTAT implements the appropriate technical and organisational measures for ensuring adequate level of security against risks for the personal data it collects and has access to, in the context of carrying out its tasks, in order to meet the requirements of this Regulation and to protect these personal data from any unauthorised access or illegal processing.
The personal data collected by ELSTAT are used exclusively for purposes related to the conduct of surveys and the production of relevant statistics. Only ELSTAT has access to the data. The controller is the person appointed by law pursuant to the relevant provisions concerning the Legal Entities of Public Law and the Independent Authorities. The data are stored in the databases of ELSTAT for as long as required by the relevant legislation.
Legal basis of the processing: Article 6, para 1(c) and 1(d) of the GDPR.
7.2. Confidentiality - data treatment
ELSTAT protects and does not disseminate data it has obtained or it has access to, which enable the direct or indirect identification of the statistical units that have provided them by the disclosure of individual information directly received for statistical purposes or indirectly supplied from administrative or other sources. ELSTAT takes all appropriate preventive measures so as to render impossible the identification of individual statistical units by technical or other means that might reasonably be used by a third party. Statistical data that could potentially enable the identification of the statistical unit are disseminated by ELSTAT if and only if:
these data have been treated, as it is specifically set out in the Regulation on Statistical Obligations of the agencies of the Hellenic Statistical System (ELSS), in such a way that their dissemination does not prejudice statistical confidentiality or
the statistical unit has given its consent, without any reservations, for the disclosure of data.
The confidential data that are transmitted by ELSS agencies to ELSTAT are used exclusively for statistical purposes and the only persons who have the right to have access to these data are the personnel engaged in this task and appointed by an act of the President of ELSTAT.
ELSTAT may grant researchers conducting statistical analyses for scientific purposes access to data that enable the indirect identification of the statistical units concerned. The access is granted provided the following conditions are satisfied:
an appropriate request together with a detailed research proposal in conformity with current scientific standards have been submitted;
the research proposal indicates in sufficient detail the set of data to be accessed, the methods of analyzing them, and the time needed for the research;
a contract specifying the conditions for access, the obligations of the researchers, the measures for respecting the confidentiality of statistical data and the sanctions in case of breach of these obligations has been signed by the individual researcher, by his/her institution, or by the organization commissioning the research, as the case may be, and by ELSTAT.
Issues referring to the observance of statistical confidentiality are examined by the Statistical Confidentiality Committee (SCC) operating in ELSTAT. The responsibilities of this Committee are to make recommendations to the President of ELSTAT on:
the level of detail at which statistical data can be disseminated, so as the identification, either directly or indirectly, of the surveyed statistical unit is not possible;
the anonymization criteria for the microdata provided to users;
the granting to researchers access to confidential data for scientific purposes.
The staff of ELSTAT, under any employment status, as well as the temporary survey workers who are employed for the collection of statistical data in statistical surveys conducted by ELSTAT, who acquire access by any means to confidential data, are bound by the principle of confidentiality and must use these data exclusively for the statistical purposes of ELSTAT. After the termination of their term of office, they are not allowed to use these data for any purpose.
Violation of data confidentiality and/or statistical confidentiality by any civil servant or employee of ELSTAT constitutes the disciplinary offence of violation of duty and may be punished with the penalty of final dismissal.
ELSTAT, by its decision, may impose a penalty amounting from ten thousand (10,000) up to two hundred thousand (200,000) euros to anyone who violates the confidentiality of data and/or statistical confidentiality. The penalty is always imposed after the hearing of the defense of the person liable for the breach, depending on the gravity and the repercussions of the violation. Any relapse constitutes an aggravating factor for the assessment of the administrative sanction.
Pursuant to the Regulation on the protection of natural persons with regard to the processing of personal data [Regulation (EU) 2016/679 of the European Parliament and of the Council, of 27 April 2016 (GDPR)], ELSTAT implements the appropriate technical and organisational measures for ensuring adequate level of security against risks for the personal data it collects and has access to, in the context of carrying out its tasks, in order to meet the requirements of this Regulation and to protect these personal data from any unauthorised access or illegal processing
8.1. Release calendar
For vital events, annual data are announced 10 months after the reference year (based on the year event).
For population and migration, data are announced 12 months after the end of the reference year.
In line with the Community legal framework and the European Statistics Code of Practice, ELSTAT disseminates national statistics on ELSTAT’s website respecting professional independence and, in an objective, professional and transparent manner in which all users are treated equitably.
In this context, data are released simultaneously to all interested parties and users through the announcement of data on Estimated Population and Migration Flows, which is posted on the website of ELSTAT according to the release calendar. This announcement is also available by e-mail to all interested parties. In addition, data are transmitted to Eurostat on predefined dates.
Annually.
10.1. Dissemination format - News release
Vital statistics data are announced at the end of September whereas the population and migration estimation at the end of December
following the end of the reference year.
10.2. Dissemination format - Publications
Special editions containing the main results of the Vital Statistics survey and Estimated Migration Flows and Estimated Population are released each year.
The links for 2023 regarding births, deaths ans estimated migration and population respectively are:
Data are collected and compiled by the Ministry of Interior.
Loss of citizenship
Not available.
Legally induced abortions
Not available.
Late foetal deaths
Not available.
Infant deaths
Not available.
Marriages
Not available.
Divorces
Not available.
Surface in km2
Not available.
10.7. Quality management - documentation
A Summary Methodological Note is attached to the Annex. This note is also released to the link: Statistics publication.
11.1. Quality assurance
Quality assurance
Citizenship
Definition stated in Regulation (EC) No 862/2007 is applied.
Country of birth
The country of usual residence of the individual’s mother at the time of the delivery as defined in the Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) No 205/2014.
Country of birth of the mother
The same definition as "Country of Birth"
Country of previous usual residence
Definition stated in Regulation (EU) No 351/2010 is applied.
Country of next usual residence
Definition stated in Regulation (EU) No 351/2010 is applied.
Deaths
Definition stated in Regulation (EU) No 1260/2013 is applied.
Divorce
Not available.
Emigrants
Definition stated in Regulation (EC) No 862/2007 is applied.
First-time marrying person
Not available.
First-time registering partner
Not available.
Foetal death
Not available.
Foreign-born
Definition stated in Regulation (EU) No 351/2010 is applied.
Immigrants
Definition stated in Regulation (EC) No 862/2007 is applied.
Infant death
Not available.
Late foetal death
Not available.
Legally induced abortions
Not available.
Level of development
Not available.
Live birth
Definition stated in Regulation (EU) No 351/2010 is applied.
Live birth order
Not available.
Marriage
Not available.
Native born
Definition stated in Regulation (EU) No 351/2010 is applied.
Person contracting legal union for first-time
Not available.
Regional
Current version of the Regulation (EC) No 1059/2003 establishing NUTS (as amended) is applied.
Registered partnership
Not available.
Registered partnership legally dissolved
Not available.
Separation
Not available.
11.2. Quality management - assessment
11.2.1. Quality assessment: Type of duration of stay used when counting a person as a migrant according to Art. 2(b) of Regulation (EC) No 862/2007
1. Actual duration of stay of at least 12 months
2. Intended duration of stay of at least 12 months
3. Actual and intended duration of stay of at least 12 months
4. Other. Please specify
Nationals
Immigrants
X
Emigrants
X
EEA citizens
Immigrants
X
Emigrants
X
Non EEA citizens
Immigrants
X
Emigrants
X
11.2.2. Quality assessment of the definition of acquisitions of citizenship according to Art. 3(d) of Regulation (EC) No 862/2007
1. Acquisitions of citizenship granted to persons having their usual residence in the territory of the Member State
2.Other. Please specify
Acquisitions of citizenship
Data on acquisitions of Greek citizenship are taken into account when compiling usual resident population by citizenship.
12.1. Relevance - User Needs
Population and migration statistics are widely used for planning actions, monitoring and evaluating programmes in several policy areas in the social and economic fields, such as analysis of population ageing and its effects on sustainability and welfare, evaluation of fertility as a background for family policies, evaluation of the economic impact of demographic change, calculation of demographic indicators.
The main users of population and migration statistics are the following:
Ministries and other Public Organizations;
Researchers (universities, research centers etc.);
Companies of private sector;
Journalists;
Natural persons and citizens.
At international level, data are used by Eurostat, United Nations (UN) etc.
Data covers the 95% of the user requirements. All requirements arising from regulations of the European Union are met.
13.1. Accuracy - overall
Overall accuracy and special cases (Inclusion/exclusion of asylum seekers and refugees, persons living on unauthorised or irregular basis, international students, persons who do not register/deregister,...)
Population
Population's age and sex structure of the 31st December 2022 have been taken into account for the production of population estimates 31st December 2023. Vital events observed and migration flows estimated during 2023 have been taken into account for the population structure at the end of 2023 as well as internal and external net-migration. Asylum and temporary protection seekers and refugees are included in the usual resident population. Persons living on unauthorised or irregular basis and inrenational students are also included.
Live births
Administrative data are used and the coverage of the vital events is considered very satisfactory. Vital events occuring to asylum seekers and refugees are included. Missing values regarding the variables "Educational attainment of the mother" (6.8% of the grand total for births in 2023), "Employment status of the mother" (3%), "Birth-weight" (0.1%) and "Duration of Gestation" (0.9%) are due to non declared information in the birth certificates.
Deaths
Administrative data are used and the coverage of the vital events is considered very satisfactory. Deaths of migrants/refugees having been registered during an attempt to reach European territory are not included. Vital events occuring to asylum seekers and refugees are included. Missing values regarding "Country of Birth" (0.02% of the grand total for deaths in 2023), "Country of Citizenship" (0.02%), "Legal Marital Status" (0.5%) and "Educational Attainment" (47.4%) are due to non declared information in the death certificates.
Immigrants
Immigration totals are the summation of three factors:
the migration inflow as calcuated by a formula taking as input the same figure one year ago, and the GDP change also one year ago;
persons who cross the borders seeking an international protection status; and
persons who came from Ukraine seeking a temporary protection status as been activated by the EU authorities.
The age and sex structure of groups a and b is given by the Census as well as the distribution by citizenship, country of birth and country of previous residence, whereas the age and sex distribution of group c is drawn by the Greek Ministry of Migration and Asylum.
Asylum seekers and refugees are included in the incoming migration.
Emigrants
The Total of emmigrants is estimated based on incoming migration from Greece as origin country to Germany as destination country. Age and sex structure of emigrants is based on 2021 census results.
Asylum seekers and refugees having emigrated from the country are included in the emigration total.
Acquisitions of citizenship
Data are received from administrative sources after multiple cross-checks.
Loss of citizenship
Not available.
Legally induced abortions
Not available.
Late foetal deaths
Administrative data are used and the coverage of the vital events is considered very satisfactory. Vital events occuring to asylum seekers and refugees are included.
Infant deaths
Administrative data are used and the coverage of the vital events is considered very satisfactory. Vital events occuring to asylum seekers and refugees are included.
Marriages
Administrative data are used and the coverage of the vital events is considered very satisfactory. Vital events occuring to asylum seekers and refugees are included.
Divorces
Administrative data are used and the coverage of the vital events is considered very satisfactory.
13.2. Sampling error
Sampling error
Population
Not applicable.
Live births
Not applicable because the survey is exhaustive and data of the whole population under survey is being recorded.
Deaths
Not applicable because the survey is exhaustive and data of the whole population under survey is being recorded.
Immigrants
Not applicable because the survey is exhaustive and data of the whole population under survey is being recorded.
Emigrants
Not applicable because the survey is exhaustive and data of the whole population under survey is being recorded.
Non sufficient administrative or other data sources on migration impose estimation of migration totals which are then distributed following the last census relevant distribution.
Live births
Due to the nature of the data (administrative sources) non-sampling errors do not occur.
Deaths
Due to the nature of the data (administrative sources) non-sampling errors relate only to measurement and processing errors. The detection is achieved through detailed checks both from administrative sources and from the ELSTAT. As a rule, all registrars disseminate the data, the coders are experienced and relevant data has primarily been checked.
Immigrants
Non sufficient administrative or other data sources on immigration impose estimation of the immigration total which is then distributed over both sexes, all ages and NUTSIII geographical divisions following the last census relevant distribution. The regression models are based on certain assumptions which are meant to be revised usually after availability of census final results.
Emigrants
Non sufficient administrative or other data sources on emigration impose estimation of the emigration total which is then distributed following the last census relevant distribution. The regression models are based on certain assumptions which are meant to be revised usually after availability of census final results.
Acquisitions of citizenship
Due to the nature of the data (administrative sources) non-sampling errors do not occur.
Loss of citizenship
Not available.
Legally induced abortions
Not available.
Late foetal deaths
Due to the nature of the data (administrative sources) non-sampling errors do not occur.
Infant deaths
Due to the nature of the data (administrative sources) non-sampling errors relate only to measurement and processing errors. The detection is achieved through detailed checks both from administrative sources and from the ELSTAT. As a rule, all registrars disseminate the data, the coders are experienced and relevant data has primarily been checked.
Marriages
Due to the nature of the data (administrative sources) non-sampling errors do not occur.
Divorces
Due to the nature of the data (administrative sources) non-sampling errors do not occur.
14.1. Timeliness
According to Article 4 (2) of the Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) No 205/2014, each year Member States shall provide the Commission (Eurostat) with data at national and regional level as described in Annex II and related standard reference metadata (In the metadata structure definition defined for the Euro SDMX Metadata Structure) for the reference year within 12 months of the end of the reference year. According to Article 3 (2) of the Commission Regulation (EC) No 862/2007, Statistics on international migration, usually resident population and acquisition of citizenship shall be supplied to the Commission (Eurostat) within 12 months of the end of the reference year.
14.2. Punctuality
Data are transmitted to Eurostat using SDMX format conforming to EU Regulations.
15.1. Comparability - geographical
All data are full comparable between regions. Common data collection framework (concepts, definitions, classifications, etc.) in all geographic areas.
15.2. Comparability - over time
Comparability - over time
Population
Estimated population on 1st January 2022, 2023, and 2024 and estimated migration flows for the years 2021, 2022 and 2023 were based on the results of the 2021 Population Census, therefore they are not completely comparable to the intercensal period 2011-2021 for which a revision process is underway.
Live births
Since 1956.
Deaths
Since 1956.
Immigrants
Over the years some countries change their HDI status, namely in 2021 Georgia, Russia and Belarus upgraded from HDI to VHDI
Egypt, Philippines, China, Moldova, Palestine from MDI to HDI
and Pakistan, Bangladesh, Congo, Cameroon from LDI to MDI.
Since 2022 Moldova, Bosnia-Herzegovina and Ukraine are Candidate Countries for the EU.
Since 2023 Georgia is an E.U. candidate country.
Emigrants
Since 2008 (for total only since 1991).
Acquisitions of citizenship
Since 2008.
Loss of citizenship
Not available.
Legally induced abortions
Not available.
Late foetal deaths
Data are comparable over time.
Infant deaths
Data are comparable over time.
Marriages
Data are comparable over time.
Divorces
Data on divorces from 2018 onwards are not fully comparable with data up to 2017 due to the change of the data source.
Surface in km2
Not available.
15.3. Coherence - cross domain
This population estimation is used for all statistical domains and census results are used for the estimation as well as for the update of the population structure.
Regarding vital events cross checks are not possible due to unavailability of other relevant sources.
15.4. Coherence - internal
Vital statistics are used for the purposes of the compilation of estimated population.
For full consistency, after the release of the results of the population census, migration data are revised.
In addition, the results of Population Censuses are used for the revision of the migration and estimated population data of the intercensal years.
Not estimated.
17.1. Data revision - policy
Intercensal years estimates could be subject to revision if necessary, always according to the Revision Policy of ELSTAT.
17.2. Data revision - practice
Data on last year's estimation are subject to revision after the finalization of population census results.
18.1. Source data
List of data sources
Population
Census results, vital data and administrative data on aquisitions of citizenship.
Live births
Sources of information for vital statistics are administrative records (Birth, Marriage, Divorce and Death Certificates) provided by Civil Registries of the country.
Deaths
Sources of information for vital statistics are administrative records (Birth, Marriage, Divorce and Death Certificates) provided by Civil Registries of the country.
Immigrants
An estimation method is used for the total immigration flow. Moreover, administrative data are drawn from the Ministry of Migration and Asylum regarding persons seeking international protection if fleeing from several non-EU countries or temporary protection if fleeing from Ukraine.
Emigrants
An estimation method is used for the total emigration flow which is then distributed over sex/age and EU/non EU destination countries.
Acquisitions of citizenship
Source of information for data on acquisitions of citizenship are administrative records provided by the Ministry of Interior.
Loss of citizenship
Not available.
Legally induced abortions
Not available.
Late foetal deaths
Sources of information for vital statistics are administrative records (Birth, Marriage, Divorce and Death Certificates) provided by Civil Registries of the country.
Infant deaths
Sources of information for vital statistics are administrative records (Birth, Marriage, Divorce and Death Certificates) provided by Civil Registries of the country.
Marriages
Sources of information for vital statistics are administrative records (Birth, Marriage, Divorce and Death Certificates) provided by Civil Registries of the country.
Divorces
Sources of information for vital statistics are administrative records (Birth, Marriage, Divorce and Death Certificates) provided by Civil Registries of the country.
Surface in km2
Not available.
18.2. Frequency of data collection
Vital statistics data are collected on a monthly basis.
18.3. Data collection
Employees of Registry Offices register the Certificates of Births, Deaths, Marriages and Divorces in the Registrations Information System of the Ministry of Interior. Ministry of Interior transmit the required information to ELSTAT. For persons related to the international or temporary protection procedures, data are collected by the Ministry of Migration and Asylum.
Immigration is estimated using a model with two independent variables, namely immigration of the previous year and the percentage change of Gross Domestic Product (GDP) for the previous year, as well. Additionally, immigration includes persons residing permanently in the Country, who meet the conditions of European Regulation (EC) 862/2007 on Community statistics on migration and international protection. Relevant data are drawn from the Ministry of Migration and Asylum and refer to persons who applied for international protection status as well as to persons who, coming from Ukraine, applied for the temporary protection status in Greece, which was activated especially in E.U. countries for refugees from Ukraine.
Emigration is estimated using a regression model, based on available data regarding immigrants from Greece to Germany.
More information about data compilation is available to the annex.
18.6. Adjustment
Demographic balancing equation is applied. Some adjustments are used because of rounding.
A annex describing in detail the migration and population estimation processes is attached.
Data and metadata are transmitted to Eurostat by the Member States in the framework of the Unified Demographic Data Collection which is in accordance with Regulation (EC) No 862/2007 and Regulation (EU) No 1260/2013 and their implementing regulations.
3.4.1 Statistical concepts and definitions used in the statistics transmitted to Eurostat
1.Usually Resident Population
2. Legal Residence Population
3. Registered Residence Population
4. Other
Population
X
Live births
X
Deaths
X
Immigrants
X
Emigrants
X
Acquisitions of citizenship
X
Loss of citizenship
Not applicable.
Legally induced abortions
Not applicable.
Late foetal deaths
X
Infant deaths
X
Marriages
X
Divorces
X
3.4.2 Statistical concepts and definitions used in the statistics disseminated in the National Statistical Institute's website
Population
Population is the “usual resident population”, the place where a person normally spends the daily period of rest, regardless of temporary absences, for a period of at least 12 months.
Live births
“Birth” is the birth of a child which breathes or shows any other evidence of life, regardless of gestational age.
Deaths
“Death” is the permanent disappearance of all evidence of vital functions, at any time after birth.
Immigrants
“Immigrant” means a person undertaking an immigration. “Immigration” means the action by which a person establishes his or her usual residence in the territory of the Country for a period that is, or is expected to be, at least 12 months, having previously been usually resident in another country.
Emigrants
“Emigrant” means a person undertaking an emigration. “Emigration” means the action by witch a person, having previously been usually resident in the territory of the Country, ceases to have his or her usual residence in the Country for a period that is, or expected to be, at least 12 months.
Acquisitions of citizenship
Acquisitions of citizenship is the number of persons having their usual residence in the territory of the Country and having acquired during the reference year the citizenship of the Country and having formerly held the citizenship of another country or having formerly been stateless.
Loss of citizenship
Not available.
Legally induced abortions
Not available.
Late foetal deaths
Late foetal deaths are foetal deaths of 28 or more weeks of gestation.
Infant deaths
Deaths of infants of age less than one year.
Marriages
Registered Partnerships are not included.
Divorces
A divorce is a dissolution of a marriage.
3.4.3 Differences in statistical concepts and definitions between the statistics transmitted to Eurostat and those disseminated in the National Statistics Institute's website
Population
No difference.
Live births
No difference.
Deaths
No difference.
Immigrants
No difference.
Emigrants
No difference.
Acquisitions of citizenship
No difference.
Loss of citizenship
Not available.
Legally induced abortions
Not available.
Late foetal deaths
No difference.
Infant deaths
No difference.
Marriages
No difference.
Divorces
No difference.
Number of persons.
Statistical population
Population
Population means the “usual resident population”.
“Usually resident population” means all persons having their usual residence in the country at the reference time.
“Usual residence” means the place where a person normally spends the daily period of rest, regardless of temporary absences for purposes of recreation, holidays, visits to friends and relatives, business, medical treatment or religious pilgrimage. The following persons alone shall be considered to be usual residents of a specific geographical area:
those who have lived in their place of usual residence for a continuous period of at least 12 months before the reference time; or
those who arrived in their place of usual residence during the 12 months before the reference time with the expectation of staying there for at least one year.
Live births
“Live birth” means the birth of a child who breathes or shows any other evidence of life, such as beating of the heart, pulsation of the umbilical cord or definite movement of voluntary muscles, regardless of gestational age. Data refer to births by mothers who have usual residence in the country.
Deaths
“Death” means the permanent disappearance of all evidence of life at any time after live birth has taken place (post-natal cessation of vital functions without capability of resuscitation); Data refer to deceased who had usual residence in the country.
Immigrants
“Immigrant” means a person undertaking an immigration. Immigration means the action by which a person establishes his or her usual residence in the territory of the country for a period that is, or is expected to be, of at least 12 months, having previously been usually resident in another country.
Emigrants
“Emigrant” means a person undertaking an emigration. Emigration means the action by which a person, having previously been usually 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, of at least 12 months
Acquisitions of citizenship
“Citizenship” means the particular legal bond between an individual and his or her State, acquired by birth or naturalisation, whether by declaration, choice, marriage or other means according to national legislation. Data refer to persons who have usual residence in the country.
Loss of citizenship
Not available.
Legally induced abortions
Not available.
Late foetal deaths
Late foetal deaths are foetal deaths of 28 or more weeks of gestation.
Infant deaths
Deaths of infants of age less than one year.
Marriages
Registered Partnerships are not included.
Divorces
A divorce is a dissolution of a marriage.
Population, vital events data are available at national and regional level (NUTSIII) of geographical detail.
Migration flows data are available at national level.
The reference date for population data is the end of the reference period (midnight of 31 December 2023).
The reference period for vital events data is the calendar year in which the events occurred (2023).
The reference period for migration flow data is the calendar year in which the migration occurred (2023).
Overall accuracy and special cases (Inclusion/exclusion of asylum seekers and refugees, persons living on unauthorised or irregular basis, international students, persons who do not register/deregister,...)
Population
Population's age and sex structure of the 31st December 2022 have been taken into account for the production of population estimates 31st December 2023. Vital events observed and migration flows estimated during 2023 have been taken into account for the population structure at the end of 2023 as well as internal and external net-migration. Asylum and temporary protection seekers and refugees are included in the usual resident population. Persons living on unauthorised or irregular basis and inrenational students are also included.
Live births
Administrative data are used and the coverage of the vital events is considered very satisfactory. Vital events occuring to asylum seekers and refugees are included. Missing values regarding the variables "Educational attainment of the mother" (6.8% of the grand total for births in 2023), "Employment status of the mother" (3%), "Birth-weight" (0.1%) and "Duration of Gestation" (0.9%) are due to non declared information in the birth certificates.
Deaths
Administrative data are used and the coverage of the vital events is considered very satisfactory. Deaths of migrants/refugees having been registered during an attempt to reach European territory are not included. Vital events occuring to asylum seekers and refugees are included. Missing values regarding "Country of Birth" (0.02% of the grand total for deaths in 2023), "Country of Citizenship" (0.02%), "Legal Marital Status" (0.5%) and "Educational Attainment" (47.4%) are due to non declared information in the death certificates.
Immigrants
Immigration totals are the summation of three factors:
the migration inflow as calcuated by a formula taking as input the same figure one year ago, and the GDP change also one year ago;
persons who cross the borders seeking an international protection status; and
persons who came from Ukraine seeking a temporary protection status as been activated by the EU authorities.
The age and sex structure of groups a and b is given by the Census as well as the distribution by citizenship, country of birth and country of previous residence, whereas the age and sex distribution of group c is drawn by the Greek Ministry of Migration and Asylum.
Asylum seekers and refugees are included in the incoming migration.
Emigrants
The Total of emmigrants is estimated based on incoming migration from Greece as origin country to Germany as destination country. Age and sex structure of emigrants is based on 2021 census results.
Asylum seekers and refugees having emigrated from the country are included in the emigration total.
Acquisitions of citizenship
Data are received from administrative sources after multiple cross-checks.
Loss of citizenship
Not available.
Legally induced abortions
Not available.
Late foetal deaths
Administrative data are used and the coverage of the vital events is considered very satisfactory. Vital events occuring to asylum seekers and refugees are included.
Infant deaths
Administrative data are used and the coverage of the vital events is considered very satisfactory. Vital events occuring to asylum seekers and refugees are included.
Marriages
Administrative data are used and the coverage of the vital events is considered very satisfactory. Vital events occuring to asylum seekers and refugees are included.
Divorces
Administrative data are used and the coverage of the vital events is considered very satisfactory.
Data are collected or estimated at unit (person) level.
For the compilation of estimated population the demographic equation is used:
Pt+1= Pt + Bt - Dt + It - Et , where:
t+1 = the reference year και t = the previous year,
Pt+1 = population on 1st January of the year t+1
Pt = population on 1st January of the year t
Bt = live births (excluding mothers residing abroad)
Immigration is estimated using a model with two independent variables, namely immigration of the previous year and the percentage change of Gross Domestic Product (GDP) for the previous year, as well. Additionally, immigration includes persons residing permanently in the Country, who meet the conditions of European Regulation (EC) 862/2007 on Community statistics on migration and international protection. Relevant data are drawn from the Ministry of Migration and Asylum and refer to persons who applied for international protection status as well as to persons who, coming from Ukraine, applied for the temporary protection status in Greece, which was activated especially in E.U. countries for refugees from Ukraine.
Emigration is estimated using a regression model, based on available data regarding immigrants from Greece to Germany.
More information about data compilation is available to the annex.
List of data sources
Population
Census results, vital data and administrative data on aquisitions of citizenship.
Live births
Sources of information for vital statistics are administrative records (Birth, Marriage, Divorce and Death Certificates) provided by Civil Registries of the country.
Deaths
Sources of information for vital statistics are administrative records (Birth, Marriage, Divorce and Death Certificates) provided by Civil Registries of the country.
Immigrants
An estimation method is used for the total immigration flow. Moreover, administrative data are drawn from the Ministry of Migration and Asylum regarding persons seeking international protection if fleeing from several non-EU countries or temporary protection if fleeing from Ukraine.
Emigrants
An estimation method is used for the total emigration flow which is then distributed over sex/age and EU/non EU destination countries.
Acquisitions of citizenship
Source of information for data on acquisitions of citizenship are administrative records provided by the Ministry of Interior.
Loss of citizenship
Not available.
Legally induced abortions
Not available.
Late foetal deaths
Sources of information for vital statistics are administrative records (Birth, Marriage, Divorce and Death Certificates) provided by Civil Registries of the country.
Infant deaths
Sources of information for vital statistics are administrative records (Birth, Marriage, Divorce and Death Certificates) provided by Civil Registries of the country.
Marriages
Sources of information for vital statistics are administrative records (Birth, Marriage, Divorce and Death Certificates) provided by Civil Registries of the country.
Divorces
Sources of information for vital statistics are administrative records (Birth, Marriage, Divorce and Death Certificates) provided by Civil Registries of the country.
Surface in km2
Not available.
Annually.
According to Article 4 (2) of the Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) No 205/2014, each year Member States shall provide the Commission (Eurostat) with data at national and regional level as described in Annex II and related standard reference metadata (In the metadata structure definition defined for the Euro SDMX Metadata Structure) for the reference year within 12 months of the end of the reference year. According to Article 3 (2) of the Commission Regulation (EC) No 862/2007, Statistics on international migration, usually resident population and acquisition of citizenship shall be supplied to the Commission (Eurostat) within 12 months of the end of the reference year.
All data are full comparable between regions. Common data collection framework (concepts, definitions, classifications, etc.) in all geographic areas.
Comparability - over time
Population
Estimated population on 1st January 2022, 2023, and 2024 and estimated migration flows for the years 2021, 2022 and 2023 were based on the results of the 2021 Population Census, therefore they are not completely comparable to the intercensal period 2011-2021 for which a revision process is underway.
Live births
Since 1956.
Deaths
Since 1956.
Immigrants
Over the years some countries change their HDI status, namely in 2021 Georgia, Russia and Belarus upgraded from HDI to VHDI
Egypt, Philippines, China, Moldova, Palestine from MDI to HDI
and Pakistan, Bangladesh, Congo, Cameroon from LDI to MDI.
Since 2022 Moldova, Bosnia-Herzegovina and Ukraine are Candidate Countries for the EU.
Since 2023 Georgia is an E.U. candidate country.
Emigrants
Since 2008 (for total only since 1991).
Acquisitions of citizenship
Since 2008.
Loss of citizenship
Not available.
Legally induced abortions
Not available.
Late foetal deaths
Data are comparable over time.
Infant deaths
Data are comparable over time.
Marriages
Data are comparable over time.
Divorces
Data on divorces from 2018 onwards are not fully comparable with data up to 2017 due to the change of the data source.
