Total waste generation in Greece
Greece: Total waste generation was 1.05 million tonnes in 2022. ◆ Volatile
Total waste generation in Greece, 2004–2022
Source: United Nations Statistics Division and United Nations Environment Programme – processed by Our World in Data. Measured in tonnes.
Analysis
In 2022, total waste generation in Greece stood at 1.05 million tonnes.
Compared with earlier readings it is up 62.4% on the previous year and up 10,386.4% over ten years.
Over the whole period, total waste generation in Greece peaked at 4.71 million tonnes in 2004 and was at its lowest, 0 tonnes, in 2008.
Greece ranks 14th of 62 countries on this measure, in the top quarter.
The series is highly variable year to year, so single readings are best treated with caution.
Total waste generation in Greece, year by year
| Year | tonnes | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2004 | 4.71 million tonnes | — |
| 2006 | 4.71 million tonnes | +0.0% |
| 2008 | 0 tonnes | -100.0% |
| 2010 | 5,073 tonnes | — |
| 2012 | 9,979 tonnes | +96.7% |
| 2014 | 10,976 tonnes | +10.0% |
| 2016 | 255,169 tonnes | +2224.8% |
| 2018 | 466,119 tonnes | +82.7% |
| 2020 | 644,283 tonnes | +38.2% |
| 2022 | 1.05 million tonnes | +62.4% |
Greece compared with similar countries
- Greece's 1.05 million tonnes is above the median for high income countries, which is 293,977 tonnes, 3.6× the median. (39 countries reporting)
- Greece's 1.05 million tonnes is above the median for Europe & Central Asia, which is 289,947 tonnes, 3.6× the median. (45 countries reporting)
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2000s | 3.14 million tonnes | 0 tonnes | 4.71 million tonnes | 3 |
| 2010s | 149,463 tonnes | 5,073 tonnes | 466,119 tonnes | 5 |
| 2020s | 845,362 tonnes | 644,283 tonnes | 1.05 million tonnes | 2 |
Countries ranked near Greece
More environment data for Greece
- Historical exposure to drought — Land soil moisture anomaly 3.36 Percentage change (2025)
- Historical exposure to drought — Cropland soil moisture anomaly 3.43 Percentage change (2025)
- Standard Deviation, annual growth rate 0 % change on previous year (2025)
- Standard Deviation 0.43 °C (2025)
- Temperature change 1.95 °C (2025)
- Total greenhouse gas emissions excluding LULUCF (Mt CO2e), annual 1.28 % change on previous year (2024)
- Total greenhouse gas emissions excluding LULUCF (Mt CO2e), per unit 0 Mt CO2e per US$ of GDP (2024)
- Total greenhouse gas emissions excluding LULUCF (Mt CO2e), per capita 0 Mt CO2e per person (2024)
- Methane (CH4) emissions from Agriculture (Mt CO2e), annual growth rate -1.16 % change on previous year (2024)
- Methane (CH4) emissions from Agriculture (Mt CO2e), per unit of GDP 0 Mt CO2e per US$ of GDP (2024)
Frequently asked questions
- What is total waste generation in Greece?
- Total waste generation in Greece was 1.05 million tonnes in 2022, according to United Nations Statistics Division and United Nations Environment Programme – processed by Our World in Data.
- What is the highest total waste generation recorded in Greece?
- The highest recorded value was 4.71 million tonnes in 2004.
- What is the lowest total waste generation recorded in Greece?
- The lowest recorded value was 0 tonnes in 2008.
- How does Greece rank for total waste generation?
- Greece ranks 14th out of 62 countries with data for 2022.
- Is total waste generation rising or falling in Greece?
- Over the last ten years it is up 10,386.4%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this Greece data come from?
- The figures come from United Nations Statistics Division and United Nations Environment Programme – processed by Our World in Data, published as part of Total waste generation. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
Download this data
CSV · JSON — 10 observations, free to reuse under CC BY 4.0 (Our World in Data).
About this data
Total waste generation, by activity (Tonnes).