DYTIKI MAKEDONIA - Population Greece's most sparsely populated region Western Macedonia is one of the country's smallest regions in terms of population, having about 304 000 inhabitants in 2000. It is also the most sparsely populated region, with 32 inhabitants per km2. Although live births and deaths were roughly equal in the period 1990-2000, the region's population increased by around 5.3%, more than for the country as a whole (4.3%). The rural population has tended to migrate towards the urban centres (Kozani-Kastoria-Ptolemaida), and this has meant that population ageing has been more acute in rural areas. In 2000, 30% of the region's population was under the age of 25, and 18% was over 65. If information is available, please add comments on the following subjects: - Infant mortality - Life expectancy - Resident population of foreign nationality

Text not validated by the National Statistical Service of Greece. The text has been reviewed by a Greek Eurostat official, in March 2004.