Central Macedonia
Gateway to the Balkans
A diversified economy and home to Greece’s second largest port
Central Macedonia dominates the economy of northern Greece, acting as a gateway to the Balkans, while its capital city, Thessaloniki, is the country’s second most important commercial centre.
Central Macedonia, home to Thessaloniki – Greece’s second largest city – has one of the country’s most diversified economies, featuring tourism, manufacturing, energy, mining, and agriculture. The Port of Thessaloniki, Greece’s second largest port, is regarded as the gateway to the Balkans, which, combined with an excellent transportation infrastructure, serves as an entry point into southeastern Europe.
The region of Halkidiki, less than a two-hour drive from Thessaloniki and known for its sandy beaches and forest cover, is one of Greece’s premier tourism destinations. Central Macedonia also boasts a rich cultural heritage that also serves as a major tourist draw, from the archaeological site of Vergina in the west to Mt. Olympus in the south and the monastic colony of Mt. Athos in the east.
With a wetter, cooler, and more continental climate than southern Greece, Central Macedonia is also a major food producer. The region is home to mining activity and is widely considered to have untapped mineral reserves.
Key Facts
Central Macedonia
Home to Greece’s second largest city, population, and port
One of Greece’s leading tourism destinations
Diversified economy of tourism, manufacturing, energy, mining, and agriculture
Tourism
Regional Opportunities
Tourism
Energy
Agri-Food
Central Macedonia tops the ranks as Greece’s most visited region, having accounted for approximately 22% of tourists during 2018, according to the Bank of Greece.
Central Macedonia is one of Greece’s top tourist destinations, drawing more than 7 million visitors each year to the city of Thessaloniki, the sandy beaches of Halkidiki, and to Mt. Olympus, Greece’s tallest mountain and mythological home to the ancient Greek gods. According to the Greek Tourism Confederation (SETE), the number of international tourists visiting the region totalled 7.8 million in 2018 and accounted for €2.275 billion in tourism receipts.
Learn more about Tourism in Greece
Central Macedonia
In Numbers
The region of Central Macedonia has recorded steady economic growth over the past few years as Greece has emerged from the recession.
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€25,558 million
GDP in 2018, in current prices
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€13,600
Per capita GDP in 2018, in current prices
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2nd
Ranking in terms of economic activity
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17%
Portion of Greece’s human resources in science and technology located in Attica
Central Macedonia Demographics
Central Macedonia is home to almost one fifth of Greece’s population.
Central Macedonia is the second most populated region in Greece and home to approximately 17.5% of the country’s total population. Its largest city, Thessaloniki, is the second largest in Greece and one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in the world, with ancient Roman and Ottoman monuments testifying to its long history. The city is known for its vibrant culture and each year hosts the Thessaloniki International Film Festival. It is also the site of the Thessaloniki International Fair (TIF), Greece’s largest trade exhibition, and the city serves as a commercial and business hub for Southeast Europe.
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1,873,777
Population (2019)
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17.47%
Share of Greek population (2019)
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31.7%
Tertiary Educational Attainment of population aged between 25-64 (2018)
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101.3/km2
Population Density (2018)
Sources: Eurostat, Hellenic Statistical Authority, European Commission, Regional Governments, SETE, Enterprise Greece, and HWEA
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