Population, internal migration and urbanization in Greece
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Abstract
As we recapitulate, five basic generalizations can be made at this point
about rural to urban migrations in Greece. a) Rural to urban migration in Greece is not negligible, but a widespread phenomenon affecting anywhere from 50,000 to 100,000 individuals yearly. b) The two largest streams of migration are toward Athens and Thessaloniki.
c) There is little evidence of reluctance on the part of the villagers to
undertake a trek to the city to seek employment and permanent settlement. d) The present upswing in the growth of urban centers is the direct result of internal migration and not, as in the 1920’s of forced international immigration. e) In numerous areas round the country, resources are insufficient to support the population above a property level. Common characteristics of most of these areas is a population which is economically stranded, socially pocketed and have a higher than average birth rate. Hence, against static or declining resources, a mounting population surplus is created, which, in the absence of new resource developments, can only be relieved through migration. It is from these overcrowded regions that Athens and Thessaloniki have drawn a large part of their populations over the last 20 years, and from which a continued exodus of people is to be expected in the future.
about rural to urban migrations in Greece. a) Rural to urban migration in Greece is not negligible, but a widespread phenomenon affecting anywhere from 50,000 to 100,000 individuals yearly. b) The two largest streams of migration are toward Athens and Thessaloniki.
c) There is little evidence of reluctance on the part of the villagers to
undertake a trek to the city to seek employment and permanent settlement. d) The present upswing in the growth of urban centers is the direct result of internal migration and not, as in the 1920’s of forced international immigration. e) In numerous areas round the country, resources are insufficient to support the population above a property level. Common characteristics of most of these areas is a population which is economically stranded, socially pocketed and have a higher than average birth rate. Hence, against static or declining resources, a mounting population surplus is created, which, in the absence of new resource developments, can only be relieved through migration. It is from these overcrowded regions that Athens and Thessaloniki have drawn a large part of their populations over the last 20 years, and from which a continued exodus of people is to be expected in the future.
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