1.1. Contact organisation
[EL1] Hellenic Statistical Authority (ELSTAT) (Greece)
1.2. Contact organisation unit
Population, employment & cost of living Statistics division.
Population and Migration Statistics Section.
1.3. Contact name
Confidential because of GDPR
1.4. Contact person function
Confidential because of GDPR
1.5. Contact mail address
Hellenic Statistical Authority
Pireos 46 & Eponiton Str.
18510 Piraeus
Greece
1.6. Contact email address
Confidential because of GDPR
1.7. Contact phone number
Confidential because of GDPR
1.8. Contact fax number
Confidential because of GDPR
2.1. Metadata last certified
23 December 2025
2.2. Metadata last posted
23 December 2025
2.3. Metadata last update
23 December 2025
3.1. Data description
Data on causes of death (COD) provide information on mortality patterns and form a major element of public health information.
COD data refer to the underlying cause which - according to the World Health Organisation (WHO) - is "the disease or injury which initiated the train of morbid events leading directly to death, or the circumstances of the accident or violence which produced the fatal injury".
CoD data are derived from death certificates. The information provided in the medical certificate of cause of death is mapped to the International Statistical Classification of Diseases and Related Health Problems (ICD).
Data are broken down by sex, age, cause of death and by NUTS2 Country of residence and place of occurrence. In hellenic data, age of mother and parity as well, are not currently available for neonatal deaths (available only for stillbirths).
3.2. Classification system
Eurostat's CoD statistics build on standards set out by the World Health Organisation (WHO) in the International Statistical Classification of Diseases and Related Health Problems (ICD).
The regional breakdown is based on the Nomenclature of Territorial Units for Statistics (NUTS 2).
Classification and updates applied by years
| Data year | ICD classification used (ICD-9, ICD-10) (3 or 4 chars) | For ICD-10: updates used |
|---|---|---|
| 2011 | ICD-9 | |
| 2012 | ICD-9 | |
| 2013 | ICD-9 | |
| 2014 | ICD-10 | 2008 |
| 2015 | ICD-10 | 2008 |
| 2016 | ICD-10 | 2008 |
| 2017 | ICD-10 | 2008 |
| 2018 | ICD-10 | 2008 |
| 2019 | ICD-10 | 2008 |
| 2020 | ICD-10 | 2008 |
| 2021 | ICD-10 | 2008 |
| 2022 | ICD-10 | 2008 |
| 2023 | ICD-10 | 2008 |
3.3. Coverage - sector
Public Health.
In Greece CoD pertain to Population and Migration Statistics Section.
3.4. Statistical concepts and definitions
Concepts and definitions are described in the Commission regulation (EU) No 328/2011 in articles 2 and 3.
3.4.1. National definition used for usual residency
Usual residence means the place at which a person normally spends the daily period of rest, regardless of temporary absences for purposes of recreation, holiday, visits to friends and relatives, business, medical treatment or religious pilgrimage or, in default, the place of legal or registered residence. Only the following persons shall be considered to be usual residents of the geographical area in question:(i) those who have lived in their place of usual residence for a continuous period of at least 12 months before the reference date; or(ii)those who arrived in their place of usual residence during the 12 months before the reference date with the intention of staying there for at least one year.
3.4.2. Stillbirth definition and characteristics collected
‘Stillbirth’ means foetal death, namely death prior to the complete expulsion or extraction from its mother of a product of conception,irrespective of the duration of pregnancy. Death is indicated by the fact that after such separation from its mother the foetus does not breathe or show any other evidence of life, such as beating of the heart, pulsation of the umbilical cord, or definite movement of voluntary muscles.
Stillbirths having weight from 500gr and gestational age from 22 completed weeks are included.
Birth weight and gestational age are available for stillbirths (crown-heel length is not collected).
3.5. Statistical unit
The statistical units are the deceased persons and the stillborns, respectively.
3.6. Statistical population
The deceased persons and stillbirths within the Hellenic territorial borders. In addition, cases of refugees/ migrants who died while border-crossing before being registered in the Country or have drowned in the Hellenic territorial waters, are included in the datasets sent to Eurostat and WHO according to the scope of Causes of death statistics, as specified in the Article 1 of the Regulation (EU) No 328/2011 on statistics on causes of death that is: "European statistics in the domain of ‘causes of death’ shall concern all registered deaths and stillbirths occurring in each Member State, distinguishing residents and non-residents." On the contrary, these cases are excluded from the national CoD data and from the Hellenic Population Figures in accordance with guidelines from Unit F2 (Population & Migration).
3.6.1. Neonates of non-resident mothers
Are not considered to be residents.
3.6.2. Non-residents
Are included.
3.6.3. Residents dying abroad
Are not included.
3.7. Reference area
At national level: Total Geographical country.
Geographical level of data analysis: Municipality.
3.8. Coverage - Time
Data are available since 1956.
3.9. Base period
Not applicable.
The unit is number (absolute number of individuals).
Data refer to the calendar year (i.e. all deaths occurring during the year).
6.1. Institutional Mandate - legal acts and other agreements
The legal framework concerning the organization and operation of ELSTAT consists of Law 3832/2010 as amended.
CoD data was submitted to Eurostat on the basis of a gentleman's agreement established in the framework Eurostat's Working Group on "Public Health Statistics" until data with reference year 2010.
A Regulation on Community statistics on public health and health and safety at work (EC) No 1338/2008 was signed by the European Parliament and the Council on 16 December 2008. This Regulation is the framework of the data collection on the domain.
Within the context of this framework Regulation, a Regulation on Community statistics on public health and health and safety at work, as regards statistics on causes of death (EU) No 328/2011 was signed by the European Parliament and the Council on 5 April 2011.
CoD data according to this regulation is submitted to Eurostat since reference year 2011.
6.2. Institutional Mandate - data sharing
Data are sent to International organizations (Eurostat, WHO etc.). Common specifications with the World Health Organization were used in the data collection up to 2010. In addition, Eurostat asks for NUTS level 2. From 2011 onwards, Eurostat changed the specifications to take into account the data collected through the Regulation (EU) No 328/2011.
7.1. Confidentiality - policy
Regulation (EC) No 223/2009 on European statistics (recital 24 and Article 20(4)) of 11 March 2009 (OJ L 87, p. 164), stipulates the need to establish common principles and guidelines ensuring the confidentiality of data used for the production of European statistics and the access to those confidential data with due account for technical developments and the requirements of users in a democratic society.
The issues concerning the observance of statistical confidentiality by ELSTAT are regulated by articles 6,7 and 8 of the Law 3832/2010, as amended by article 90 paragraph 8 of the Law 3842/2010 and by article 10 of the Law 3899/2010, as well as by article 8 of the Law 2392/1996, which was brought back into force, in accordance with article 90 paragraph 8 of the Law 3842/2010.
Furthermore, 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.
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: a) 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 b) 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: a) an appropriate request together with a detailed research proposal in conformity with current scientific standards have been submitted; b) 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; c) 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.
8.1. Release calendar
Annual data are announced two years after the reference year at the latest.
8.2. Release calendar access
Please find the release calendar at this website (Release calendar).
8.3. Release policy - user access
Data are available simultaneously to all interested parties in accordance with the releases calendar through announcements (Calendar) and posting tables (Statistics/pop) ,Sections: Health, Demography: Years 2000-2016: Deaths-Causes of death (ICD-9)/ Years 2014-2023: Deaths-Causes of death (ICD-10).
Equal access of users to the data is covered by Eurostat’s European Statistics Code of Practice respecting professional independence and in an objective, professional and transparent manner by which all users are treated with equality. There is no access to the data by any user before the announcement.
Annual.
10.1. Dissemination format - News release
Annual data are announced two years after the reference year at the latest. The most recent announcement concerns the CoD of 2022 while the 2023 CoD announcement is scheduled for February 05, 2026.
10.2. Dissemination format - Publications
Not applicable.
10.3. Dissemination format - online database
Statistics/pop (Deaths-Causes of death ICD-9 & ICD-10).
If further disaggregation is needed, please refer to: data.dissem@statistics.gr
10.3.1. Data tables - consultations
Not available.
10.4. Dissemination format - microdata access
ELSTAT currently disseminates only standardized Public Use Files on CoD from 2008 onwards. These are microdata files which have been anonymized in accordance with anonymization criteria predefined by ELSTAT, so that the direct or indirect identification of the surveyed units is not possible. All users, without exception, have the right to access these files, after registering on ELSTAT’s website and submitting a relevant application through ELSTAT’s website. Upon submitting the application, users have immediate access to the files. Furthermore, there is an ongoing process for the development and dissemination of the Scientific Use Files.
10.5. Dissemination format - other
Users can have access to ELSTAT’s digital library through the website:
Statistics.ESYE. Moreover, tables can be found at the following website & path: Statistics/pop.
Sections: Health, Demography: Years 2000-2016: Deaths-Causes of death (ICD-9)/ Years 2014-2023: Deaths-Causes of death (ICD-10) as well as at Eurostat’s website: Database (health > Causes of Death).
Finally, there is the possibility of providing data (usually via e-mail) upon request to the Data Dissemination Section. In that case, requests can be submitted online at ELSTAT’s website (Statistical data request) or can be addressed to the following e-mails: data.dissem@statistics.gr and data.supply@statistics.gr
10.5.1. Metadata - consultations
Not available.
10.6. Documentation on methodology
Information (tables, methodology) is available on the website of ELSTAT (Statistics) following the path: Statistics/ Population and Social Conditions/Demography.
10.6.1. Metadata completeness - rate
Most metadata elements are provided.
10.7. Quality management - documentation
The quality of CoD data is subject to the national certification and coding procedures. Greece follows the standards and rules specified in the ICD while all rational and numeral checks safeguarding quality are being performed.
11.1. Quality assurance
The causes of death data are based on a Regulation, which defines scope, definitions of variables and characteristics of the data.
Comparative checks are being performed.
ELSTAT’s Quality Policy and Quality Guidelines are applied: Quality asurance framework.
11.2. Quality management - assessment
Due to legal obligations and ELSTAT's quality checks, errors in CoD are very rare and results are considered to be of high accuracy. Furthermore, concepts, definitions and methodology follow European and international standards and guidelines.
12.1. Relevance - User Needs
The main data users of hellenic data are researchers (university community, international organizations, research centers etc.), Ministries and journalists. User requirements are mainly time series for different variables.
12.2. Relevance - User Satisfaction
The Data Dissemination Section of ELSTAT conducts a survey on user satisfaction, at: User satisfaction survey.
User satisfaction survey report for the year 2023 can be found at: User Satisfaction Survey 2023 (EN).
12.3. Completeness
Data cover the 95% of the users' requirements. All the obligations arising from the Regulations (EC) No 1338/2008 and (EU) No 328/2011 are met.
12.3.1. Data completeness - rate
1. For mandatory variables:
All variables required by the Commission regulation no 328/2011 are transmitted to the European Commission.
2. For voluntary variables:
Information on parity and age of mother in case of NND is not collected and there is no imminent provision of changing that for the time being although there are ongoing discussions on additions need to be made on death certificates and such suggestions have been made.
3. For additional variables:
- External CoD
Where external Causes are reported, injury and poisoning ICD-10 codes are also provided.
- Place of occurrence for external CoD
It is provided (as 1 digit at the specific column instead of the fourth digit of the ICD-10 code used until 2018).
- Activity for external CoD
Only accidents at work are reported (when mentioned in death certificates).
13.1. Accuracy - overall
Data are compiled by reliable administrative sources and forensic physicians.
13.2. Sampling error
Not applicable. Data collection is from administrative sources.
13.2.1. Sampling error - indicators
Not applicable.
13.3. Non-sampling error
Due to the nature of the data (administrative sources), non-sampling errors that may occur relate only to measurement errors and processing errors. The detection is achieved through detailed checks both from administrative sources and from ELSTAT. We consider that there are no non-sampling errors because in general, all registrars disseminate the data, coders are professionals and relevant data have primarily been checked.
13.3.1. Coverage error
No coverage error is observed since the registration of a death is crucial for the burial.
13.3.1.1. Over-coverage - rate
There is no considerable over-coverage problem.
13.3.1.2. Common units - proportion
Not applicable. Data collection is from administrative sources.
13.3.2. Measurement error
This kind of error can be due to wrong information provided in some variables from the questionnaires, researched units or administrative records and can be corrected after communication with relevant bodies.
13.3.3. Non response error
Minimum non response error.
13.3.3.1. Unit non-response - rate
No error is observed because registration of death is mandatory for the burial.
13.3.3.2. Item non-response - rate
In general, registrars and forensic physicians provide the mandatory variables. There are only a few cases of missing variables from Registries or non-reported CoD from forensic physicians.
13.3.4. Processing error
This error relates to incorrect values on data entry or incorrect results when processing, which are detected and corrected by performing logical checks and audits on the annual changes.
13.3.5. Model assumption error
Not applicable.
14.1. Timeliness
| Year | Number of months between the end of the reference year and the publication at national level |
|---|---|
| 2011 | 24 |
| 2012 | 24 |
| 2013 | 24 |
| 2014 | 24 |
| 2015 | 24 |
| 2016 | 24 |
| 2017 | 24 |
| 2018 | 24 |
| 2019 | 23 |
| 2020 | 24 |
| 2021 | 24 |
| 2022 | 24 |
| 2023 | 24 |
14.1.1. Time lag - first result
Not applicable.
14.1.2. Time lag - final result
24 months.
14.2. Punctuality
From data collection with reference year 2011 onwards, Eurostat asks for the submission of final data at national and regional level and related metadata for the year N at N+24 months, according to the Implementing Regulation (EC) No. 328/2011, Article 4.
14.2.1. Punctuality - delivery and publication
| Reference year | Time between the end of the reference year and the delivery of final data to Eurostat |
|---|---|
| 2011 | 24 |
| 2012 | 24 |
| 2013 | 24 |
| 2014 | 24 |
| 2015 | 24 |
| 2016 | 24 |
| 2017 | 24 |
| 2018 | 24 |
| 2019 | 23 |
| 2020 | 24 |
| 2021 | 24 |
| 2022 | 24 |
| 2023 | 24 |
15.1. Comparability - geographical
The process of collecting, coding and transmitting the data is the same for all regions. Thus, there are not any comparability problems between regions.
15.1.1. Asymmetry for mirror flow statistics - coefficient
Not applicable.
15.2. Comparability - over time
Nationally, data are available for comparison since 1956. It is also noted that a limitation to comparability over time can be due to a classification change, for which, however, users are informed. From 2014 onwards there has been a transition from the ICD-9 Classification of diseases to the ICD-10 (2008 edition) Classification of diseases, however, to enable comparisons, data for the years 2014-2016 are available in both ICD-9 and ICD-10.
15.2.1. Length of comparable time series
Time series are available since 1956. Comparability issues may occur due to Classification changes (1956-1978 ICD-08, 1979-2016 ICD-09, 2014-2023 ICD-10)
15.3. Coherence - cross domain
In Greece CoD pertain to Population and Migration Statistics Section. Thus, mortality data available from demography are revised after the processing of the data on the causes of death. The only discrepancy concerns cases of refugees/ migrants who died while border-crossing before being registered in the country or have drowned in the Hellenic territorial waters, which are included in the datasets sent to Eurostat and WHO according to the scope of Causes of death statistics, as specified in the Article 1 of the Regulation (EU) No 328/2011 on statistics on causes of death that is: "European statistics in the domain of ‘causes of death’ shall concern all registered deaths and stillbirths occurring in each Member State,distinguishing residents and non-residents." On the contrary, these cases are excluded from the national CoD data and from the Hellenic Population Figures in accordance with guidelines from Unit F2 (Population & Migration).
15.3.1. Coherence - sub annual and annual statistics
Not applicable, only annual data are available.
15.3.2. Coherence - National Accounts
Not applicable.
15.4. Coherence - internal
Statistics are very consistent within a given data set. In order to ensure the internal coherence, common data collection framework (concepts, definitions, classifications, etc.) in all geographic areas and a common methodology in the compilation of results are applied. In addition, all causes of death are coded at a central level from a single team of coders.
The cost and burden of the data collection is reduced by using validation and dissemination IT tools. Nevertheless, it hasn’t been estimated.
17.1. Data revision - policy
Data, if necessary, can be revised according to the most recently updated data always pursuant to the Revision Policy of ELSTAT. Relevant link: ELSTAT_Revisions_Policy_25_10_2018_EN.
17.2. Data revision - practice
There is no systematic revision of previous year data.
17.2.1. Data revision - average size
Not applicable.
18.1. Source data
Sources of information for CoD are Administrative records (Death Certificates) provided by Registries from all around the country and forensic physicians' reports in cases of violent or sudden deaths.
18.2. Frequency of data collection
Annual.
18.3. Data collection
Employees of Registry Offices register the Death Certificates in the Registrations Information System of the Ministry of Interior. ELSTAT draws the information required for statistical purposes from the Ministry’s central database. In addition, every year ELSTAT inquires the underlying cause of death (UC) for pending cases of violent or sudden deaths from forensic physicians.
18.3.1. Certification
Table on certification (Percentage)
| Year |
All doctors (certifiers) trained in the certification | All doctors (certifiers - pathologists or others doctors) trained in the post-mortem examination (autopsies) | Certificates filled by persons who attended a course on certification or post-mortem examination | Death certificates that are queried (only queries related to medical part of the death certificate should be included) | Replies received for queries sent | Deaths where the underlying cause is changed as a result of the query | Death certificates with incorrect sequence |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2011 | 100 | 100 | 100 | 5 | 100 | 5 | 20 |
| 2012 | 100 | 100 | 100 | 5 | 100 | 5 | 20 |
| 2013 | 100 | 100 | 100 | 5 | 100 | 5 | 20 |
| 2014 | 100 | 100 | 100 | 5 | 100 | 5 | 20 |
| 2015 | 100 | 100 | 100 | 5 | 100 | 5 | 20 |
| 2016 | 100 | 100 | 100 | 5 | 100 | 5 | 20 |
| 2017 | 100 | 100 | 100 | 5 | 98 | 5 | 20 |
| 2018 | 100 | 100 | 100 | 5 | 98 | 5 | 20 |
| 2019 | 100 | 100 | 100 | 5 | 100 | 5 | 20 |
| 2020 | 100 | 100 | 100 | 5 | 100 | 5 | 20 |
| 2021 | 100 | 100 | 100 | 5 | 95 | 5 | 20 |
| 2022 | 100 | 100 | 100 | 5 | 90 | 5 | 20 |
| 2023 | 100 | 100 | 100 | 5 | 95 | 5 | 20 |
18.3.2. Automated Coding
| Data year | Use of any form of automated coding | System used (IRIS, MICAR, ACME, STYX, MIKADO, others) |
|---|---|---|
| 2011 | No | |
| 2012 | No | |
| 2013 | No | |
| 2014 | No | |
| 2015 | No | |
| 2016 | No | |
| 2017 | No | |
| 2018 | No | |
| 2019 | No | |
| 2020 | No | |
| 2021 | No | |
| 2022 | No | |
| 2023 | No |
18.3.3. Underlying cause of death
| Data year | Only manual selection of underlying cause | Manual with ACME decision tables (if yes, version of ACME) | ACS utilising ACME decision tables (if yes, version of ACME) | Own system (ACS without ACME) | Comments |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2011 | Yes | ||||
| 2012 | Yes | ||||
| 2013 | Yes | ||||
| 2014 | Yes | ||||
| 2015 | Yes | ||||
| 2016 | Yes | ||||
| 2017 | Yes | ||||
| 2018 | Yes | ||||
| 2019 | Yes | ||||
| 2020 | Yes | ||||
| 2021 | Yes | ||||
| 2022 | Yes | ||||
| 2023 | Yes |
18.3.4. Availability of multiple cause
| Data year | Information stored in the national CoD database, UC (Underlying cause) or MC (Multiple cause) |
|---|---|
| 2011 | UC |
| 2012 | UC |
| 2013 | UC |
| 2014 | UC |
| 2015 | UC |
| 2016 | UC |
| 2017 | UC |
| 2018 | UC |
| 2019 | UC |
| 2020 | UC |
| 2021 | UC |
| 2022 | UC |
| 2023 | UC |
18.3.5. Stillbirths and Neonatal certificates
There are no different death certificates for neonates but we additionally collect information on age in months/days or hours/minutes as well as death within marriage or out of wedlock or within registered partnership.
In case of stillbirths, common birth certificates are used where information on birth weight, gestational age, age of mother and parity is collected.
18.4. Data validation
Local registers are the criteria for the validation of the coverage. In addition to the checks carried out by the administrative sources, validation checks are carried out by ELSTAT and Eurostat.
18.4.1. Coding
Description of coding procedure (central level, distributed among other bodies, etc.):
Coding is performed according to the ICD principles and only at a central level.
Description of the procedures to detect errors (i.e.errors such as potential inconsistency in the death certificate or error due to mistake when filling the deaths certificates):
Errors originated from physicians cannot be easily detected but a number of rational checks are carried out.
Description of the measures taken in order to solve detected errors: When an error appears, we communicate with registrars in order to clarify the matter.
Coding performed by a certifier: No
Estimation of the percentage of autopsy from which information is available for coding: 90%
Description of double coding exercises and rate of codification errors for underlying cause of death: No double coding exercises are performed (rate of codification errors: 3%).
18.4.2. Unspecified CoD code
ICD codes for the underlying cause (% of the Total)
| Year | Unspecified CoD (for ICD10: R00-R99 codes, for ICD9: 780-790 codes) | Unknown CoD (for ICD10: R98-R99 codes, for ICD9: 799.9, 798.9, 798.2 codes) | Deaths due to senility (for ICD10: R54 code, for ICD9: 797 code) | Deaths due to exposure to unspecified factor (for ICD10: X59 code, ICD9: 928.9 code) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2011 | 11 | 0.01 | 0.92 | 0.0 |
| 2012 | 11.3 | 0.03 | 0.87 | 0.0 |
| 2013 | 9.8 | 0.04 | 0.87 | 0.0 |
| 2014 | 6.25 | 0.02 | 0.91 | 0.15 |
| 2015 | 6.39 | 0.02 | 1.25 | 0.30 |
| 2016 | 6.36 | 0.02 | 1.38 | 0.34 |
| 2017 | 6.61 | 0.05 | 1.38 | 0.38 |
| 2018 | 6.57 | 0.01 | 1.65 | 0.41 |
| 2019 | 8.35 | 0.9 | 2.22 | 0.41 |
| 2020 | 7.4 | 0.9 | 1.9 | 0.4 |
| 2021 | 6.17 | 0.63 | 1.75 | 0.41 |
| 2022 | 6.12 | 0.55 | 1.80 | 0.56 |
| 2023 | 6.99 | 0.79 | 1.88 | 0.61 |
18.4.3. Unknown country or region
Unknown country/region (%) for residents and non-residents who died in the country
| Year | Residents | Non-residents | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Unknown residency (NUTS2) | Unknown occurrence (NUTS2) | Unknown residency (country) | Unknown residency (NUTS2) | Unknown occurrence (NUTS2) | |
| 2011 | 0.005 | 0.00 | 100.00 | 100.00 | 0.00 |
| 2012 | 0.004 | 0.00 | 100.00 | 100.00 | 0.00 |
| 2013 | 0.004 | 0.00 | 19.00 | 100.00 | 0.00 |
| 2014 | 0.004 | 0.00 | 3.00 | 100.00 | 0.00 |
| 2015 | 0.004 | 0.00 | 12.00 | 100.00 | 0.00 |
| 2016 | 0.004 | 0.00 | 7.50 | 100.00 | 0.00 |
| 2017 | 0.004 | 0.00 | 1.40 | 100.00 | 0.00 |
| 2018 | 0.004 | 0.00 | 8.00 | 100.00 | 0.00 |
| 2019 | 0.004 | 0.00 | 3.14 | 100.00 | 0.00 |
| 2020 | 0.002 | 0.00 | 2.91 | 100.00 | 0.00 |
| 2021 | 0.000 | 0.00 | 4.17 | 100.00 | 0.00 |
| 2022 | 0.000 | 0.00 | 3.41 | 100.00 | 0.00 |
| 2023 | 0.000 | 0.00 | 1.53 | 100.00 | 0.00 |
18.4.4. Validation of the coverage
Local registers are the criteria for the validation of the coverage. In any case, the registration of a death is crucial for the burial. In addition to the checks carried out by the administrative sources, validation checks are carried out by ELSTAT and Eurostat.
18.5. Data compilation
Not applicable.
18.5.1. Imputation - rate
Not applicable.
18.6. Adjustment
Not applicable.
18.6.1. Seasonal adjustment
Not applicable.
No further comments.
Data on causes of death (COD) provide information on mortality patterns and form a major element of public health information.
COD data refer to the underlying cause which - according to the World Health Organisation (WHO) - is "the disease or injury which initiated the train of morbid events leading directly to death, or the circumstances of the accident or violence which produced the fatal injury".
CoD data are derived from death certificates. The information provided in the medical certificate of cause of death is mapped to the International Statistical Classification of Diseases and Related Health Problems (ICD).
Data are broken down by sex, age, cause of death and by NUTS2 Country of residence and place of occurrence. In hellenic data, age of mother and parity as well, are not currently available for neonatal deaths (available only for stillbirths).
23 December 2025
Concepts and definitions are described in the Commission regulation (EU) No 328/2011 in articles 2 and 3.
The statistical units are the deceased persons and the stillborns, respectively.
The deceased persons and stillbirths within the Hellenic territorial borders. In addition, cases of refugees/ migrants who died while border-crossing before being registered in the Country or have drowned in the Hellenic territorial waters, are included in the datasets sent to Eurostat and WHO according to the scope of Causes of death statistics, as specified in the Article 1 of the Regulation (EU) No 328/2011 on statistics on causes of death that is: "European statistics in the domain of ‘causes of death’ shall concern all registered deaths and stillbirths occurring in each Member State, distinguishing residents and non-residents." On the contrary, these cases are excluded from the national CoD data and from the Hellenic Population Figures in accordance with guidelines from Unit F2 (Population & Migration).
At national level: Total Geographical country.
Geographical level of data analysis: Municipality.
Data refer to the calendar year (i.e. all deaths occurring during the year).
Data are compiled by reliable administrative sources and forensic physicians.
The unit is number (absolute number of individuals).
Not applicable.
Sources of information for CoD are Administrative records (Death Certificates) provided by Registries from all around the country and forensic physicians' reports in cases of violent or sudden deaths.
Annual.
| Year | Number of months between the end of the reference year and the publication at national level |
|---|---|
| 2011 | 24 |
| 2012 | 24 |
| 2013 | 24 |
| 2014 | 24 |
| 2015 | 24 |
| 2016 | 24 |
| 2017 | 24 |
| 2018 | 24 |
| 2019 | 23 |
| 2020 | 24 |
| 2021 | 24 |
| 2022 | 24 |
| 2023 | 24 |
The process of collecting, coding and transmitting the data is the same for all regions. Thus, there are not any comparability problems between regions.
Nationally, data are available for comparison since 1956. It is also noted that a limitation to comparability over time can be due to a classification change, for which, however, users are informed. From 2014 onwards there has been a transition from the ICD-9 Classification of diseases to the ICD-10 (2008 edition) Classification of diseases, however, to enable comparisons, data for the years 2014-2016 are available in both ICD-9 and ICD-10.
