Migration to Greece: A New Type and Emerging Problems.

Abstract

Greece is a country with an age-long tradition in emigration and population movements due to specific historical factors. In the twentieth century certain political, economic and family reasons caused a large outflow of Greeks and nearly one million emigrated to western Europe (mostly Germany) and overseas countries (USA, Canada, Australia etc). However, in recent years Greece has witnessed a major reversal of historical patterns and become the hosting country of a large number of immigrants. Since the early 1980s, immigration has increased considerably and Greece has become an immigration country and an attractive destination or transit point for illegal migration. Contemporary migrations are more likely to be of a transnational nature. Given that context, this study presents recent movements of foreign population in Greece which are though to have induced a 'new' type of migration. It will also refer to emerging problems.