National Statistical Service Of Greece Research Articles

Computing and STEM in Greece: Gender representation of students and teachers during the decade 2002/2012

Female student representation in Computing and Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) Tertiary education is under-researched in a number of countries including Greece, while studies on female secondary level education teacher representation in Computing and STEM have not yet been reported. This study focuses on the investigation of gender representation of tertiary-level education students (freshmen, graduates, master's degree graduates and PhD's) and of secondary-level education teachers in Computing and STEM education during the decade 2002---2012 in Greece. A quantitative study was conducted taking into account appropriate data that emerged from the Hellenic Statistical Authority which is the national statistical service of Greece. During the studied decade:(a) Females were less prevalent than males at all levels of study in Computing and Engineering, (b) the number of males did not exceed that of females in Physics (freshmen, graduates and master's degree holders) or in Mathematics (graduates),(c) Female teachers were less prevalent than males in Computing and STEM,(d) Computing female schoolteachers are better represented at all levels of secondary education compared to the representation of their female counterparts in the rest of the disciplines of STEM education,(e) There is no pipeline shrinkage between female freshmen and graduates of undergraduate studies in Computing and STEM and there was also no female dropout from level (undergraduate studies) to level (master's degree studies) in Greek Computing, Physics and Engineering departments. It seems that the main problem is recruitment and not retention in Computing and STEM, despite female under-representation in most of these disciplines.

Migrant and non-migrant fertility in Greece: Results based on the 2001 population census

This paper examines fertility patterns and differentials between migrant and non-migrant women in Greece using data from the 2001 census on the reported numbers of children ever-born alive by citizenship. Special tabulations produced by the National Statistical Service of Greece are analysed and presented here. The analysis focuses on Greek, Albanian and Bulgarian women born over 1950-1970. Noticeable differences are observed. Despite the fact that Bulgarian women tend to have their first births earlier, their fertility levels are the lowest. Albanian women exhibit the highest fertility while levels for native women are somewhere in between. Nevertheless, the gap observed among the ethnic groups tends, broadly, to narrow over successive cohorts.

The Effect of Divorce on School Performance and Behavior in Preschool Children in Greece: An Empirical Study of Teachers’ Views

According to the National Statistical Service of Greece, single-parent families, which emerged after divorce, in 2011 occupied an important place among other family types, endangering a large number of children to display behavioral problems and poor school performance. The purpose of the present study was to investigate the effects of divorce on preschool children. Specifically, we studied the behavior problems and academic performance of children from single-parent families compared with children from nuclear families according to teachers’ views. The research sample consisted of 314 students from various urban and suburban parts of Greece, for which their 118 preschool teachers completed the “Pupil Behavior Rating Scale” (PBRS) and a questionnaire with demographic characteristics and data of themselves, their students and their students’ parents. The results of the research showed statistically significant correlations between 1) the type of family and occurrence of behavioral problems and 2) the type of family and school performance of the two student groups (single parenthood-nuclear). According to the findings of the present study, it appears that the family pattern affects the emotional development and school progress of children. For this reason, bearing always in mind that each family is unique, they are of particular importance: the assurance of a structured family environment (quality relationships of the members), the regular communication with parents built upon relationships of respect and trust, and finally, the social support and assistance of competent institutions to single-parent families.

Who Becomes an Unwed Mother in Greece? Sociodemographic and Geographical Aspects of an Emerging Phenomenon

ABSTRACTOut of all European countries, the one with the lowest rate of childbearing outside marriage is Greece. However, it seems that the traditional attitudes towards family formation and childbearing have begun to change in Greece as well. Illegitimacy ratio has increased fourfold in less than 30 years. It is by using the vital statistics provided by the National Statistical Service of Greece that this paper answers to research questions regarding the sociodemographic profile of unwed mothers in Greece, in terms of educational level, age, and nationality. It also tries to find out what are the reasons of non‐marital childbearing in Greece and to investigate the geographical variation of this phenomenon within the country. A key finding is that the rise in the illegitimacy ratio from the 1990s onwards is largely due to the inflow of immigrants from other countries, mostly from the former Eastern Bloc. The social profile of these unwed mothers is totally different from their Greek counterparts, implying that foreign nationals who have children outside marriage do so by conviction and not because an unwanted pregnancy resulted to birth, which is mostly the case with Greek unwed mothers. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Greece's High Dentist to Population Ratio: Comparisons, Causes, and Effects

Reaching the optimal dentist to population ratio is a common health policy challenge around the world, but while many countries have too few dentists for their populations, Greece is facing the opposite problem. This study was designed to describe and analyze trends in the number and distribution of dentists in Greece over the last thirty years and compare the Greek dentist to population ratio with that of the other twenty-six European Union (EU) countries. Demographic data for Greece were obtained from the Hellenic Dental Association and the National Statistical Service of Greece and were analyzed using nonparametric statistical tests. Data for the other EU countries were derived from various authoritative sources. In Greece, the number of dentists per 10,000 inhabitants increased significantly (p<0.05) from 1982 (7.7) to 2007 (13.0), ranking Greece first (in 2008) among the EU countries. The proportional increase in the number of dentists during the decade 1979-88 (30.4 percent) was significant (p<0.05), compared to the decade 1989-98 (22.3 percent) and the nine-year period 1999-2007 (23.6 percent). In 1982 and 1992, the majority of dentists practiced in the Attica Prefecture (Athens) (55.2 percent and 52.6 percent, respectively), but this situation changed significantly in 2007 (p<0.05) (40.1 percent for Attica). The percentage of female dentists remained almost the same from 1982 until 2007, but female dentists' location of practice changed significantly (p<0.05) between 1992 and 2007. After reporting the data, we examine some of the reasons for and effects of the situation and consider the problem that, even with a high dentist to population ratio, Greece has significant oral health access problems.

Comparative mortality ratios of cancer among men in Greece across broad occupational groups

The purpose of this study was to compare site-specific cancer death rates in male workforce across major occupational groups in Greece. Data on cancer mortality in men aged 25-69years during the period 2000-2005 were obtained from National Statistical Service of Greece. Age- and site (ICD-10)-specific cancer death rates and the ratio of standardized cancer death rates (i.e. the comparative mortality ratio and 95% confidence interval) across seven major occupational groups (ISCO-88) were calculated. The proportion of total deaths due to cancer was ranged between 6.6, 24.3, 37.4, and 39.4% for the age groups of 15-39, 40-49, 50-59, and 60-69years, respectively. Respiratory and gastrointestinal malignancies constituted 70% of the total cancer mortality in our population. Groups of elementary occupations, skilled agricultural workers, and plant workers showed very high mortality ratios of respiratory cancer while low ratios were found for the groups of professionals, legislators, senior officials, and managers and paradoxically for craft and related workers. Compared to the other groups, skilled agricultural and elementary groups showed higher rates of gastrointestinal and other or no determined malignancies in the age groups of 40-49 and 50-59years old. Plant workers and machine operators/assemblers exhibited high mortality rates for most cancer sites especially in the elders group (60-69years) and a mortality ratio of genitourinary cancer that differed significantly compared to any other group. Up to 3.5-fold variations were found in site-specific cancer mortality ratios among men in Greece across broad occupational groups. The extent of the variation attributed to specific socioeconomic and/or occupational factors could not be estimated in the current study but the observed differences might stimulate thinking and preventive actions as well as point to potential hypotheses to pursue using research methods in which job and life related factors should be directly measured and controlled.

Out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) and cardiopulmonary resuscitation in Thessaloniki, Greece, an Utstein style analysis

Purpose of the study: The purpose of this study was to describe the data and outcome of OHCA (according to the Utstein style) in Thessaloniki, which is the second largest city in Greece (population approximately: 1,000,000).1National Statistical Service of Greece. De Facto population of Greece [Census 2001]. Athens: 2003. ISSN: 1106-1499.Google Scholar Materials and methods: Emergency medical service (EMS) in Greece is two-tiered and provides basic life support (BLS) by the ambulance crew (which are in most cases the first responders) and advanced life support (ALS) by a mobile intensive care unit (MICU) with a physician on the head of the crew.2Papaspyrou E. Setzis D. Grosomanidis V. Manikis D. Boutlis D. Ressos C. International EMS systems: Greece.Resuscitation. 2004; 63: 255-259Abstract Full Text Full Text PDF PubMed Scopus (18) Google Scholar The patients of our study were treated over a 5-year period (from January 1, 2000 to December 31, 2004). Automatic external defibrillators (AEDs) were introduced in the standard BLS ambulance equipment after this period. Results: From a total of 1700 cardiac arrests, resuscitation was attempted in 1458 (85.8%) cases, whereas in 242 (14.2%) cases resuscitation was not attempted. Cardiac arrest was witnessed by bystanders in 1470 (86.5%) and by the EMS personnel in 75 (4.4%) cases. Mean EMS arrival time was 8.18 ± 6.8 min for BLS ambulances and 14.59 ± 10.5 min for MICU. Initial rhythm was ventricular fibrillation in 750 (44.1%), ventricular tachycardia in 18 (1.1%), asystole in 858 (50.5%) and other in 74 (4.3%) cases. 596 (40.9%) patients received classical chest compressions, whereas 862 (59.1%) received active compressions decompressions. Return of spontaneous circulation was achieved in 597 (40.9%) patients, whereas in 167 (11.5%) cases, patients were brought to the Emergency Department under cardiopulmonary resuscitation. 149 patients were discharged from hospital (overall survival rate: 10.2%). Conclusion: Our study results that the survival rate after OHCA is relatively poor but in accordance to other similar studies.3Fischer M. Fischer N. Schiittlert J. One-year survival after out-of-hospital cardiac arrest in Bonn city: outcome report according to the ‘Utstein style’.Resuscitation. 1997; 33: 233-243Abstract Full Text PDF PubMed Scopus (134) Google Scholar A further study is now conducted concerning data collected after the AEDs introduction in all BLS vehicles.

Cervical, Uterine Corpus, and Ovarian Cancer Mortality in Greece During 1980 to 2005

The aim of the present study was to analyze cervical, uterine corpus, and ovarian cancer mortality, between 1980 and 2005, in Greece. Mortality data and population age distribution were provided by the National Statistical Service of Greece. Time trends of mortality were calculated for each tumor type per 100,000 women in the whole female population of Greece, and 2 different age groups, that is, women aged 49 years and younger and those 50 years and older. Joinpoint regression was used for further analysis of mortality trends. Overall, cervical and uterine corpus cancer mortality in the whole female population of Greece had a slightly decreasing trend between 1980 and 2005, whereas ovarian cancer mortality rates increased steadily throughout the period studied. Subgroup analyses according to age showed that cervical cancer mortality decreased very slightly only in women older than 50 years, whereas it remained steady in younger women. Uterine corpus cancer mortality decreased slightly in both age groups, but increased during the last years of the study period in the older age group. Ovarian cancer mortality increased in women older than 50 years, whereas it remained steady in the younger age group. Joinpoint regression analysis showed that only the increase after 1997 in the mortality trend for uterine corpus cancer in women 50 years and older was statistically significant (P = 0.0044). Although our findings regarding cervical cancer mortality in Greece are encouraging, still more efforts are needed, particularly in preventing cervical cancer in younger women. The increasing trend of uterine corpus and ovarian cancer mortality in older women suggests that development of well-organized tertiary centers for the implementation of modern therapeutic modalities is urgently needed.

The impact of Ladotyri Mytilinis PDO cheese on the rural development of Lesvos island, Greece

Protected designations of origin (PDOs) and protected geographical indications (PGIs) are an important aspect of the recent turn towards quality agri-food products in the EU. However, their actual impact on rural development is not clear. This paper contributes to the debate over the impact of PDOs and PGIs by focusing on Ladotyri Mytilinis PDO, a cheese produced exclusively on Lesvos island, Greece. The socio-economic and environmental impact of Ladotyri Mytilinis PDO is based on findings from two field researches. Secondary data by the National Statistical Service of Greece and by other sources are also used. According to the findings the impact of Ladotyri Mytilinis PDO cheese, and of its various actors that construct its supply chain, is on the one hand very important for Lesvos island but on the other hand not radically different when compared to the impact of Graviera, a close substitute and non-PDO cheese, which is also produced in the area by the same actors.

Diverging trends in cardiovascular morbidity and mortality in a low risk population

Cardiovascular (CVD) disease morbidity and mortality are changing over the years, following changes in socioeconomic conditions and underlying risk factors. However, the trends of these changes differ among various populations. There is little data regarding these trends in low CVD risk populations. Tables of deaths by cause and age for the period 1956-2007 and tables of hospitalizations for the period 1979-2003 published by the National Statistical Service of Greece were used. Trends over time were determined using log-linear regression models. Age-adjusted all-cause mortality has declined steadily since 1964 in both sexes. CVD mortality initially increased until the late 1980s and subsequently decreased. An increase in mortality from stroke was seen until 1978, especially in men, followed by a decline. Mortality from coronary heart disease (CHD) increased initially, continued to increase for one decade more than stroke and started to decrease in 1989. However, only in women has CHD mortality returned below 1956 levels. As a result, deaths from CHD have surpassed those from stroke. Although the in-hospital fatality of acute myocardial infarction (AMI) has decreased by half between 1979 and 2003, deaths from AMI have decreased only slightly, as hospitalization and morbidity rates have increased during the same period. Although the various types of CVD share common risk factors, the trends of their respective mortality rates have differed significantly over the past five decades in the Greek population. This could partly be explained by the fact that risk factors do not equally contribute to CHD and stroke, and they might have not all been equally well controlled.

Alimentary Expenditure of the Different Socio-Vocational Classes of the Population in Greece (1957-2005): A Description of the Dietary Models

The focus of this paper is on food expenditure in Greece from 1957 to 2005 from a socio-vocational perspective. Our main interest lies in the description of the form and development of the basic alimentary models of the different professional layers of the population. This takes place through the examination of Statistical information presented in the Household Budget Surveys published by the National Statistical Service of Greece. We look at food consumption on the grounds of professional criteria (directors vs. workers for example); and of the workers’ place in the workforce (employers, employees, unemployed, etc.). By considering the fundamental changes in alimentary patterns in post war Greece we attempt to comprehend the respective dietary behaviours and the ways different professional layers brought about the associated changes over time.

Regional inequalities and spatial economic interdependence: learning from the Greek prefectures

Interregional trade constitutes a major factor of creating spatial economic interdependence. Both within and outside the national borders, spatial economic interdependence can be extremely strong. The interregional trade fl ows can infl uence decisively the economic development of each region. They can also formulate the size of the regional multipliers. In this article, the characteristics of spatial economic interdependence among the 51 Greek administrative prefectures are analyzed and evaluated by using the estimations of the regional multipli- ers. In particular, an interpretation of the interregional inequalities by connecting the interregional multipliers is attempted with certain economic as well as other characteristics of the prefectures of the country. In the last few decades, the varying levels of development observed among the Greek administrative regions and prefectures have certain repercussions on the prosperity of the local communities and on the development of the country as a whole. Therefore, these inequalities constitute a fundamental consideration of the currently applied economic policy. Investigating the magnitude and course of regional inequalities as well as the driving forces that induce unequal development patterns is of great importance in the confi guration of an effective regional policy. State intervention towards reducing regional inequalities is considered to be a necessity as long as both the current economic trends and a great deal of empirical evidence reveals the inherent weakness of the market mecha- nisms for mitigating regional inequalities. Investigating economic issues on a sub-national level (i.e., regional of prefectural level in the termi- nology of the present study) requires a different approach in relation to analyzing the same issues on a national level. This is justifi ed, at least, due to the high degree of economic interdependence between the regions or prefectures of a country (as this interdependence is mainly depicted, by the interregional trade fl ows) in comparison to the degree of economic interdependence between countries. A suitable context for analysis regional differences and interdependencies and for confi guring a coherent regional policy can be the use of regional multipliers. The regional multipliers provide a relatively accurate indication of the real size of a regional economy and can contribute to the analysis of the infl uences to the size of regional economy coming from strategic policy schemes such as public and private invest- ments, structural funds and fi nancial support to regional economic activities. In two previous studies (1, 2), a multiregional input-output model (MRIO) was constructed and the regional multipliers for unit vector of fi nal demand, consumption vector and investment vector were esti- mated, on a prefectural level for the 51 Greek prefectures. This was done by using the existing statistical information from National Statistical Service of Greece (NSSG). Subsequently, the regional multipli- ers were used for simulating the distribution of an extensive investment scheme aimed at achieving convergence of the different levels of development found among the Greek prefectures. In the present article, a further analysis of the regional multipliers' results is pursuit, in order to illustrate some of the critical characteristics of spatial interdependences among the prefectural economies of the country.

A Bayesian approach of Greek strike activity

This work deals with a Bayesian approach of Greek strike activity concerning all the sectors ordered by the respective code numbers given by the National Statistical Service of Greece (hereafter NSSG). Sfakianakis and Hourmentis (2003) specified and estimated conventional strike equations by applying stepwise multiple regression analysis, using the data for all strikes based on the data collected by NSSG, and compared the effects of the explanatory variables. The results are presented due to the comparison of Bayesian estimates (using BUGS) with the respective classical MLE estimates (using SPSS). The Bayesian approach confirms the selected models due to the multiple regression procedure. It confirms also the similarities and the specificities of Greek strike activity in comparison with the respective ones regarding other countries.

Bicycling-Related Injuries among Children in Greece

To evaluate the burden and patterns of nonmotorized bicycle-related injuries in Greece. Emergency departments of four hospitals across the country, forming an Emergency Department Injury Surveillance System (EDISS), provided injury occurrence data. Exposure data, such as person time spent cycling as well as patterns of bicycle use, were derived from a school survey undertaken by the Center for Research and Prevention of Injuries. Population data were obtained from the National Statistical Service of Greece. Nationwide incidence rates of bicycle-related injuries were estimated. In order to assess patterns of injuries, a Barell diagnostic matrix was constructed, in which bicycle injuries that occurred on roads were compared to off-road ones in order to identify correlates of the generally more serious onroad injuries. 2,711 children with bicycle-related injuries (4.8%) were found among the 56,132 injured children 0–14 years recorded in EDISS during a 3-year period. The incidence of bicycle-related injuries was estimated at about 7.9 per 1,000 children-years or about 20 per 1,000 bicycle-using children per year. Almost half of the children sustained head injuries. No child was wearing a helmet either among those injured or among the school survey participants. 12% of bicycle injuries required hospitalization. Injuries are common among bicycle-using children in Greece, they frequently affect the head and are generally serious. In spite of this unenviable situation, dedicated bicycle lanes are almost nonexistent and bicycle helmet promotion campaigns have not yet been conducted.

Modelling and forecasting monthly swordfish catches in the Eastern Mediterranean

In this study, we used the X-11 census technique for modelling and forecasting the monthly swordfish (Xiphias gladius) catches in the Greek Seas during 1982-1996 and 1997 respectively, using catches reported by the National Statistical Service of Greece (NSSG). Forecasts built with X-11 were also compared with those derived from ARIMA and Winter's exponential smoothing (WES) models. The X-11 method captured the features of the study series and outperformed the other two methods, in terms of both fitting and forecasting performance, for all the accuracy measures used. Thus, with the exception of October, November and December 1997, when the corresponding absolute percentage error (APE) values were very high (as high as 178.6%) because of the low level of the catches, monthly catches during the remaining months of 1997 were predicted accurately, with a mean APE of 12.5%. In contrast, the mean APE values of the other two methods for the same months were higher (ARIMA: 14.6%; WES: 16.6%). The overall good performance of X-11 and the fact that it provides an insight into the various components (i.e. the seasonal, trend-cycle and irregular components) of the time series of interest justify its use in fisheries research. The basic features of the swordfish catches revealed by the application of the X-11 method, the effect of the length of the forecasting horizon on forecasting accuracy and the accuracy of the catches reported by NSSG are also discussed.

Maternal mortality in Greece (1980–1996)

Objective: To use data from the National Statistical Service of Greece to examine trends in maternal mortality and risk factors for maternal deaths. Study Design: Maternal mortality in Greece has been studied from years 1980 to 1996 in total, by cause of death, by residency (urban/rural) and by maternal age. The maternal mortality ratio (MMR) has been defined as the number of deaths per 100 000 live births. Results: From years 1980 to 1996, there have been 136 maternal deaths (MMR: 7). The number of deaths has significantly decreased during this period and six major causes of death have been identified, resulting in 80% of maternal deaths. A simulation of maternal mortality between urban and rural areas has been achieved during the last decade. Also, maternal mortality rises dramatically with age. Conclusions: Although overall rates of maternal mortality in Greece have been significantly decreased over the last years, an improved recording of maternal deaths is necessary for identifying preventable factors and developing effective interventions.

Seasonality of births: changing pattern correlated with the seasonality of marriage.

Russell et al. have found that changes in the seasonality of births may be related to changes in the climate and environment or to social differences. The authors of this commentary note that they reached similar conclusions in a previous paper. Their findings were based upon data on births and marriage published by the National Statistical Service of Greece for 1956-80. The analysis revealed a clear change in the pattern of seasonality of birth over the 25-year period characterized by a gradual shift in peak incidence from January to June a gradual smoothing of the second peak in October and a tendency of births for each month to come closer to the average monthly rate while December constantly has the fewest births. The recent seasonal variation in the pattern of births was strongly correlated with that of marriages. Further a rise in the number of births did not occur in any of the months suggesting that changes in the seasonality of births represent the seasonality of the reduction in births. The authors hypothesize that the reduction in conceptions between December and June and the resulting reduction in births between September and April represents the gradual change in Greek society from a mainly rural to a mainly urban one. The alteration gradually shifted most marriages and therefore more first conceptions from December/January to September and thus most births from October to June. The low numbers of births in December represents the time of fewest marriages before the Greek Orthodox churchs Easter celebrations.

Seasonal Variation of Neonatal and Infant Deaths by Cause in Greece

The seasonal variation of neonatal and infant deaths in Greece was analyzed for nine consecutive years (1979-1987) by cause of death, age of death and urbanization of permanent residence. Data were supplied by the National Statistical Service of Greece. Statistical analysis was done using the Edward's method. The seasonal patterns of the number of deaths and death rates were similar. Neonatal deaths in total did not show significant seasonality but postneonatal deaths showed seasonal variation with a peak in the winter, more evident in rural areas. Neonatal deaths from prematurity showed statistically significant seasonal variation with a peak in May. Postneonatal deaths from infections and mainly those from pneumonia showed very significant seasonal variation with a peak in February that was more prominent in rural areas. Seasonal pattern with peak in late winter was also found for postneonatal deaths from injuries. The seasonal patterns for neonatal and postneonatal deaths from sudden infant death syndrome were suggestive of an increased occurrence during the winter months mainly in urban areas.

Women's Participation in the Greek Educational System

This is by and large a descriptive study, examining participation at all educational levels and achievement patterns with emphasis in upper-secondary education at the crucial point of transfer to higher education. It is based on two sources of data: (i) census data of the National Statistical Service of Greece; and (ii) data collected for a study regarding the evaluation of the selection system for higher education. The latter, derived from a questionnaire distributed to a 10% random sample of secondary education graduates/applicants to higher education, is employed for a more refined analysis on specific issues. To introduce the reader to the educational status of women in Greece I present three tables which summarise illiteracy, average years of schooling, and enrolment rates by educational level (Tables I, II and III). Women's participation is summarised in Table IV. The reader should keep in mind that women represent approximately 48% of the population in the agegroups 10 to 34; (this percentage increases gradually to 52% for the age-group 45-64 and to 56% for the age-group over 65 years). The analysis of the data indicates the following points: (1) Girls participate equally with boys in primary education (Table IV) and have the same attendance and pass rates (Table V). But their level of performance differs. So the proportion of girls achieving a 'very good' score (8 or 9 out of 10) is relatively higher than the boys'. The proportion of girls achieving an 'excellent' score (10 out of 10) is increasingly higher than the boys' in grades one to six (Table VI). These data reveal a pattern which has been identified in other parts of the world and has fostered a variety of explanations, the most dominant being that girls comply with required norms and behaviour better than boys do and that adolescent 'problems' which hinder school performance are more prominent in boys than girls. (It should be clear that I do not at the moment propose these explanations for the Greek case.) (2) Women used to have lower participation than men in secondary education until the beginning of the 1970s (Table IV); participation of women and men is equal ever since, with one exception: participation of women in upper secondary education is higher (Table IV) after the 1976-77 reforms. Those reforms introduced: (i) the separation of secondary education into lower and upper; (ii) the establishment of lower secondary as a compulsory educational level; (iii) the formulation of upper secondary as a two-track system, one consisting of general education and the second including technical and vocational training. These changes favoured

Statistical analysis of the immigration flow in Greece.

The National Statistical Service of Greece has published statistical data about the migration flow in Greece from January 1968 till September 1977. An increasing trend of the immigration flow is observed, which overtook the corresponding emigration flow since 1974 and so became one of the main factors which have influenced the population development in Greece. Therefore it seems to be of great importance to analyse the immigration flow during that period in order to use the results of this analysis for a further investigation in the future. Examining the flow data, which provide regular and uninterrupted information on the immigration in Greece, we determine in this paper the basic characteristics of the immigrants, namely the volume and the variability of some components of the inflow and some other indicators, as for example the sex and age-ratio, and the activity rates. Furthermore, we find out that according to the push-pull theory, only two main factors, considered separately, have a statistically non-significant influence on the immigration flow, namely the index of unemployment in West Germany and the index of hourly income in Greece.