Population figures

Total country population

10,302,720

Forcibly displaced population

Refugees (under UNHCR's mandate):

214,574

Asylum-seekers:

20,887

IDPs (of concern to UNHCR):

0

Other people in need of international protection:

0

Other

Statelessness persons

0

Host community

0

Others of concern to UNHCR

2,427

Country context

Greece is located at the crossroads of Europe, Asia and Africa; sharing land borders with Albania to the northwest, North Macedonia and Bulgaria to the north, and Türkiye to the east, as well as maritime borders with Cyprus, Egypt, Italy and Libya.

Greece is a parliamentary republic with the prime minister who is the head of government, the president who is the head of state and the executive power that is exercised by the government. Greece became an European Union member State in 1981. Therefore, the Greek asylum system is influenced by European Union policies, and access to the asylum process is generally governed by EU regulations. 

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Greece is home to a diverse population of refugees, internally displaced persons, and stateless individuals. These groups primarily originate from regions affected by conflict or persecution, including the Middle East, South Asia, and Eastern Europe. Refugees in Greece reside in a mix of reception centers, both in border areas and in the mainland, with varying conditions.

For asylum-seekers and refugees in Greece, significant challenges exist, particularly in terms of reception conditions and delays in asylum processing. While some groups, such as Ukrainian refugees, benefit from temporary protection, others, particularly those from countries such as Afghanistan, Syria, and Türkiye, face significant barriers to obtain legal status and access basic rights, such as work and health services. 

Although the establishment of "closed controlled centers" has somewhat improved conditions for asylum-seekers and refugees who have arrived, concerns remain regarding the restrictions on freedom of movement, security measures and the impact of these conditions on residents' mental health. Mainland facilities also face serious challenges, including overcrowding and insufficient services, especially for those with vulnerabilities and special needs, such as children, the elderly and persons with disabilities. 

Refugees are generally entitled to the same rights as Greek nationals. However, practical obstacles, such as delays in the issuance of residence permits and access to housing, as well as the high cost of living, unemployment and language barriers, make it difficult for many to integrate locally and achieve self-reliance.

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Sources: UNHCR Refugee Data finder https://www.unhcr.org/refugee-statistics/ | 2024 mid-year figures. United Nations, Department of Economic and Social Affairs, Population Division (2022). World Population Prospects 2022, Online Edition https://population.un.org/wpp/assets/Files/WPP2022_Data_Sources.pdf