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Half one million documented migrants live in Greece: survey

Xinhua, December 18, 2016 Adjust font size:

Approximately 577,000 documented migrants originating across the world are currently living in Greece, according to a survey released on Saturday from the Greek Forum of Migrants.

On the occasion of the International Migrants Day observed on Dec. 18, the non-governmental organization collected data from the Greek authorities and groups representing immigrant communities to sketch the profile of the foreigners living legally in Greece.

At least 131,000 migrants are minors, while 33,000 are aged more than 60 years old.

The Greek Forum of Migrants called for the implementation of more policies to ensure their equal inclusion in Greek society.

According to the International Organization for Migration, one out of seven people on Earth today is a migrant.

Since early 2015, Greece, with a population of approximately 11 million, is at the forefront of the refugee-migrant crisis.

More than one million people have illegally landed on the Greek islands, seeking refuge in Europe from wars and poverty.

The overwhelming majority until last winter continued their perilous journey to other European countries, but after the closure of the Balkan route to central Europe, at least 62,000 refugees and migrants have remained stranded in debt-ridden Greece. Endit