IMMIGRATION TO GREECE (MARCH 2013)

How many immigrants live in Greece?
According to the Ministry of Interior the current number of third country nationals with valid residence permits is 537,237. The Ministry commented that there is no valid way to estimate the number of illegal immigrants who live in Greece but pointed out that a total of 577,900 people have been arrested from 2008 to 2012 for illegal entry and/or illegal stay in the country.

A relevant article (To Vima online, 26/02/2013) can be read here (in Greek only)

Illegal immigrants hiring Greek women for sham weddings
“The Sun” newspaper revealed that illegal immigrants pay organized gangs up to £8,000 in order to hire Greek women for sham weddings so they can stay in Britain to claim social security benefits.

The full article (The Sun, 3/3/2013) can be read here (in English)

Muslim inmates riot in Nafplion prison
The riot started in the C and A sections of the prison where the Arab and Muslim inmates are held. The rioters caused extensive damage in section C and riot police had to be deployed in order for the inmates to return to their cells.

A relevant article (Kathimerini, 6/3/2013) can be read here (in Greek only)

Greek fertility rate is among the lowest in the world
Greek fertility rate is estimated to be less than 1 child per woman, thus ranking among the lowest in the world.

A relevant article (Kathimerini, 7/3/2013) can be read here (in Greek only)

Combating Illegal Immigration, Terrorism, and Organized Crime in Greece and Italy
RIEAS Director Dr John Nomikos’ article in the “International Journal of Intelligence and Counterintelligence” is a “must-read”!
The article can be purchased here (in English)

Unemployment much higher for foreign nationals
According to the latest Labor Force Survey (4th quarter of 2012) the unemployment rate of foreign nationals was much higher compared to the Greeks (36.9% compared to 25% respectively).

The relevant press release by the National Statistics Authority can be read here (in Greek only)