Greece's Education & Demographic Trends

Study Notes

Vasillis Panayiotaropoulos, a 70-year-old man, returned to secondary school in Athens, Greece.
He had left school at age 12 to help his father in the fields.
He felt a lifelong yearning to return to education.
He enrolled in the second night school in Athens.
He is described as the oldest student.
He is enthusiastic about his studies.
His return to education became a national story and went viral.

Greece's population is projected to shrink drastically in the next 25 years.
By 2050, approximately 35% of the population will be over 65 (Eurostat).
Declining fertility rates contribute to this trend.
The average number of births is 70,000 per year.
The annual death rate is approximately double the birth rate (140,000).
Schools in remote areas of Greece have closed due to insufficient student numbers.
There is a significant demographic challenge in Greece.

Greece's centre-right government supports night schools.
Night schools are declining in popularity in other European countries.
The Greek government views night school education as a way to address the country's demographic challenges.
The government is looking to support students who return to education.
Night schools help graduates who will need to become teachers and educators.

The age of 65 is often seen as a marker of old age; however this is not always an accurate description, especially when considering increased lifespan.
The concept of "artificial markers" is challenged.
It is important to consider redefining how we view aging.
The rethinking of conventional markers is helpful for both older and younger individuals.