Greece is heading toward a dramatic demographic milestone: by 2060, 34% of its population will be over the age of 65, according to data presented by the Greek Ministry of Health. The figures, revealed during a conference on ageing in northern Greece, underscore how quickly the country is ageing and the challenges this shift brings.
Although life expectancy in Greece reaches 81.1 years, two-thirds of the years lived after age 65 are accompanied by at least one chronic disease. Factors such as smoking, diet and lack of physical activity significantly contribute to this picture.
“People are living longer, but how they age matters,” said Melina Dermentzopoulou, regional official for Health and Social Solidarity, emphasizing that poor health in later life should not be accepted as inevitable. She highlighted the role of healthy habits formed early in life, including exercise, nutrition and avoiding harmful behaviors.
Psychology’s Role in Ageing
A 17-year study by researchers at the University of Virginia, published in the Journal of Health Psychology, adds an unexpected dimension: adolescent behavior. Tracking 123 participants from adolescence into adulthood, researchers found that hostility toward friends and frequent conflicts with fathers during teen years accelerated biological ageing by age 30.
The findings—consistent for both boys and girls—suggest that social and emotional patterns in youth can become powerful biological indicators, influencing cardiovascular health, inflammation levels and other ageing markers.
The Importance of Healthy Ageing Policies
As global and national priorities evolve, the World Health Organization is reviewing its 2026–2030 Strategy for Healthy Ageing. In Greece, regional authorities say their focus is on ensuring older adults’ wellbeing through safer environments, better access to healthcare, and initiatives that encourage physical activity and healthy eating.
Efforts include improving accessibility in buildings and transportation, funding programs that reduce social isolation, and supporting primary healthcare services tailored to seniors. Healthy ageing, officials stress, must be part of a multidimensional policy framework that reduces preventable disease and promotes long-term wellbeing.
“It is vital to adopt a holistic approach involving national, regional and local actors,” Dermentzopoulou noted, calling for collaboration across scientific, institutional and community sectors.
Physiotherapists as Key Contributors
Physiotherapists play a central role in this effort, said Petros Lymberidis, president of the Panhellenic Association of Physiotherapists. Their work helps maintain mobility, independence and quality of life—core elements of healthy ageing.
Dimitra Ftili, president of the association’s regional branch, added that coordinated action between scientific organizations and public institutions can deliver real benefits. “We remain committed to strengthening autonomy, mobility and overall quality of life for older adults,” she said.
