The history of the population movement in Greece during the 20th and 21st centuries is rich and multi-dimensional, influenced by historical, political, and economic events. In the literature there are many different approaches to the refugee and migration phenomenon. Both historical studies and other fields of social sciences and humanities are systematically engaged in the study of the settlement of newcomers or the movement of populations from Greece to other countries. In the bibliography listed below, the main moments, the continuities and discontinuities, of the phenomenon are depicted. The results of the study of the literature, in addition to the theoretical models, helped to distinguish the project into chronological/thematic periods, and at the same time the profile of the cities to be studied was established.
In the early 20th century, Greece experienced mass immigration, mainly to the United States, due to economic difficulties and political upheavals, such as the Balkan Wars and World War I. Internal migration was also significant, as many Greeks moved from rural areas to cities. The inter-war period would be marked by the settlement of Asia Minor refugees after the Catastrophe (1922) and after the implementation of what was provided for in the Treaty of Lausanne (1923). During the interwar period and after World War II, there was a significant return of immigrants to Greece. However, the economic crisis and political instability, especially during the Civil War (1946-1949), led to a new wave of immigration, mainly to the USA, Canada, Australia and Western Europe. The deportation and extermination of Jews from Greece during the German occupation is another area that has produced a large volume of scholarly publications in recent years.
In the 1960s and 1970s, the migration of workers to Western Europe (mainly Germany) increased significantly as a result of bilateral labor agreements. Greek workers sought better living and working conditions, and the remittances they sent contributed significantly to the Greek economy. After the fall of the Eastern Bloc in 1990, Greece became a host country for immigrants, mainly from Albania, Bulgaria, and other Balkan countries. Immigrants during this period formed an important part of the labor force in agriculture, construction, and services.
In the 21st century, Greece faced new challenges due to the so-called “refugee crisis”. From 2010 onwards, the country became a central entry point for refugees and migrants from the Global South, mainly due to the conflicts in Syria and other regions. The economic crisis in Greece during the same period also affected the country’s ability to manage increased migration flows.
The following literature presents aspects of all these movements. The emphasis is on historiographical works that study the refugee experience and settlement of 1922-1924 in Greece.