North Aegean
Leading producer of speciality F&B products
Northeastern Aegean island chain with tourism and agricultural potential
Located off the coast of Asia Minor, the five major islands of the North Aegean offer strong potential in tourism, F&B products, and renewable energy.
The islands of the North Aegean are known for their unique food and beverage offerings that include wines, spirits and mastiha produced since ancient times. Tourism is also a major source of income particularly on the islands of Lesbos, Samos, and Chios.
Situated off the coast of Asia Minor, the islands represent an international border between the European Union and Turkey. In recent years, they have been a major arrival point for refugees from the Middle East, which has strained local resources. The island of Limnos, facing the Dardanelles, is home to many Greek military installations.
However, tourism continues to develop on the islands. International travel and tour operators are investing in new accommodations and facilities, particularly on the islands of Chios and Samos.
Key Facts
North Aegean
Leading agricultural producer of unique F&B products like local wines, mastiha, and ouzo
Growing tourism economy with investment in accommodation, marinas, and other infrastructure
Recent inflows of refugees from the Middle East has weighed on local resources
Tourism
Regional Opportunities
Tourism
Infrastructure and Logistics
Agri-Food
According to SETE, the North Aegean islands draw just 1% of visitors and tourism receipts.
The islands of Samos and Chios have been drawing investment interest from international travel and tour operators and have seen a revival in their tourism sectors following a downturn as a result of the region’s recent migrant crisis. On the island of Chios, the Greek government is redeveloping the island’s flagship marina and the state-owned Xenia hotel. However, the sector has lagged behind tourism development in other island regions of Greece, representing significant untapped potential.
Learn more about Tourism in Greece
North Aegean
In Numbers
The North Aegean region has been developing its tourism infrastructure to boost jobs and incomes.
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€2,549 million
GDP in 2018, in current prices
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€11,800
Per capita GDP in 2018, in current prices
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1%
Percentage of visitors out of Greece’s total in 2018
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2
recently privatised and redeveloped airports
North Aegean Demographics
The North Aegean is Greece’s smallest region by population.
The North Aegean is Greece’s second least populated region with just over 220,000 permanent residents. More than half live on the islands of Lesvos and Chios, Greece’s fifth and sixth most populated islands, respectively. The islands have traditionally had a strong rural character. Relative to other Greek islands, the islands of the North Aegean are more fertile, with more abundant water resources, and a fairly flat terrain that favours agricultural production.
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221,098
Population (2018)
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2.06%
Share of Greek population (2019)
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24.5%
Tertiary Educational Attainment of population aged between 25-64 (2018)
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56.9/km2
Population Density (2018)
Sources: Eurostat, Hellenic Statistical Authority, European Commission, Regional Governments, SETE, Enterprise Greece, and HWEA
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