No. 72. MIGRATION FLOWS FROM AND TO GREECE IN THE 20TH CENTURY (in Greek)
T. Lianos. J. Cavounidis. 2012. | ISBN: 978-960-341-102-4
During the 20th century, Greece was marked by the experience of migration, first as a sender of migrants and then as a receiver of migrants. The book focuses on three major migration waves that can be discerned: first, a wave of migration from Greece to other continents and particularly to the U.S.A. during the period 1900-1920, second, a wave from Greece to European countries and mainly Germany in the period 1960-1973 and lastly, a current to Greece, principally from Balkan countries, over the decade 1990-2000. Both the outflows and the inflows had a major impact on Greek society and economy.
Newly available data for older periods are utilized in the study. With the new data, the large extent of past migration from various regions of Greece is documented as well as the demographic composition of those leaving Greece. Moreover, the new data allow econometric analysis of the determining factors of migration from specific regions to Greece to specific destination countries. Among the variables utilized are per capita GDP of Greece, per capita GDP of destination countries, and unemployment rates, all for specific years.
As for the migration wave to Greece at the end of the 20th century, the focus falls on the characteristics of the labour market participation of migrants, on the impact of their participation on wages and unemployment, and on relevant policies. Among the major negative consequences experienced by Greece due to lack of adequate policy formation were continued unauthorized migration, the wide extent of undeclared employment among authorized as well as unauthorized migrants, and the limited utilization of the human capital possessed by migrants. As a result, the benefits Greece obtained from immigration were limited compared to the many opportunities that migration can offer to national economies.