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Greece has recorded a decline in overall deaths during the first 14 weeks of 2026, according to new data from the country’s statistical authority, with variations emerging across both age groups and regional populations.

A total of 35,604 deaths were registered between 29 December 2025 and 5 April 2026, including 18,088 men and 17,516 women. This represents a decrease of 789 deaths, or 2.2%, compared with the same period in 2025, when 36,393 deaths were recorded.

The downward trend is even more pronounced when compared with the average number of deaths recorded during the same period between 2020 and 2025, which stood at 38,065. In this comparison, deaths fell by 2,461, a decline of 6.5%.

Over the broader five-year period, mortality figures have fluctuated significantly. Compared with 2024, deaths in 2025 rose by 3.6%. However, 2024 saw a 7.5% decrease compared with 2023, while 2023 recorded a sharp 13.7% drop compared with 2022. That earlier period had seen a 17.8% increase in 2022 compared with 2021, followed by a slight 0.8% decrease in 2021 compared with 2020.

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Weekly variations in 2026 compared with 2025 show mixed patterns. The largest increases were recorded in the 14th, 13th, and 5th weeks of the year, rising by 11.1%, 5.3%, and 3.7% respectively. In contrast, the steepest declines occurred in the 9th, 11th, and 8th weeks, with decreases of 13.9%, 11.1%, and 10.3%.

Age group analysis shows a decrease in deaths across 14 categories, while increases were recorded in four. The most significant reductions in absolute numbers were seen among people aged 85–89 (down 179 deaths), 65–69 (down 115), and 75–79 (down 88). The largest increase was observed in the 40–44 age group, which recorded 17 additional deaths.

Regional data also highlights uneven trends across Greece. Deaths decreased in nine of the country’s 13 administrative regions. The largest reductions were recorded in Attica, Thessaly, and Crete, with declines of 349, 163, and 101 deaths respectively. The most notable increase was observed in Western Macedonia, where deaths rose by 95.