When winter draws in on Antikythera, the already meagre population of the isolated Greek island shrinks to almost nothing.
Antikythera, like many rural regions in Greece, has suffered steady depopulation. When the last national census was held in 2021, it had just 39 inhabitants, down from 120 in 2011.
In winter, the island has only one cafe, which serves both as a tavern and a small store. It is run by a man in his eighties.
“The native population is ageing, and the future of the island is in doubt,” said Catherine Dechosal, who lives on the island.
Greece’s fertility rate is below the European Union average of 1.53 children, according to data agency Eurostat.
Answer: depopulation
