Greece

1,547 threatened species · Biodiversity Intelligence Dashboard

Threatened Species

1,547

CR + EN + VU

Critically Endangered

301

Highest risk

Endangered

517

Very high risk

Vulnerable

729

High risk

Declining

15%

226 species

Category Breakdown
CR 301
EN 517
VU 729
CR: 301
EN: 517
VU: 729

Critically Endangered

30119%

Extremely high risk of extinction in the wild.

Endangered

51733%

Very high risk of extinction in the wild.

Vulnerable

72947%

High risk of extinction in the wild.

Threatened total — 1,547 species

Species by Group
🦗

insects

666

666 threatened

🐚

molluscs

229

229 threatened

🌱

plants

227

227 threatened

🕷️

arachnids

192

192 threatened

🐟

fishes

80

80 threatened

🍄

fungi

49

49 threatened

🐦

birds

32

32 threatened

🪱

other invertebrates

28

28 threatened

🦀

crustaceans

13

13 threatened

🐸

amphibians

10

10 threatened

🐾

mammals

9

9 threatened

🪸

corals

7

7 threatened

🐢

reptiles

5

5 threatened

Global Share

2.78%

of globally threatened species

Country Rank

#19

of 253 countries

Endemic Threatened

582

Found only here

Conservation Outlook

Outlook: Deteriorating

Greece's biodiversity reflects its position at the crossroads of Europe, Asia, and Africa, encompassing Mediterranean ecosystems, Aegean archipelagos, and continental mountain ranges. The country hosts approximately 6,000 plant species and diverse fauna across its mainland mountains, coastal wetlands, and over 6,000 islands and islets. However, the current assessment reveals an alarming situation: all 39 species evaluated are critically endangered, representing 100% threat levels across birds, insects, other invertebrates, and molluscs (IUCN Red List 2025).

Greece's island ecosystems face particular vulnerability due to habitat fragmentation and limited population sizes. The Aegean islands support numerous endemic species that evolved in isolation, making them especially susceptible to extinction. Coastal development along Greece's extensive 13,676-kilometer coastline threatens marine and terrestrial interface zones.

Agricultural intensification in fertile plains impacts traditional farming landscapes that historically supported diverse species assemblages.

Climate change exacerbates existing pressures, with rising temperatures and altered precipitation patterns affecting Mediterranean vegetation zones and alpine species in the Pindus and other mountain ranges. Tourism pressure, while economically vital, creates additional stress on fragile ecosystems, particularly during peak seasons. The concentration of critically endangered status across all assessed taxonomic groups suggests systematic environmental pressures requiring immediate, comprehensive conservation intervention to prevent irreversible biodiversity loss.

Mediterranean ScrublandAegean Island EcosystemsCoastal WetlandsAlpine Mountain RangesOlive Groves and Agricultural LandscapesMarine Coastal Zones
Top Threats
1.Livestock farming & ranching272 species
2.Habitat shifting & alteration221 species
3.Annual & perennial non-timber crops212 species
4.Housing & urban areas208 species
5.Logging & wood harvesting185 species
6.Type Unknown/Unrecorded (pollution)155 species
7.Dams & water management/use143 species
8.Recreational activities140 species

Protected Areas

26 areas · 6,964 km²

How to Cite

IUCN: IUCN (2025). The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Version 2025-1. Available at: https://www.iucnredlist.org. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2025-1.RLTS

GBIF: GBIF.org (2025). GBIF Home Page. Available at: https://www.gbif.org

This page: SpeciesRadar (2026). Greece: Biodiversity Dashboard. SpeciesRadar: Intelligence for Earth's Biodiversity. Available at: https://speciesradar.org/countries/GR

Species counts reflect IUCN Red List threatened categories (CR, EN, VU). · Full citation guide & data usage terms

Frequently asked questions

How many threatened species are in Greece?
Greece has 1,547 threatened species recorded on SpeciesRadar — 301 of those are Critically Endangered, facing an extremely high risk of extinction. The figures combine IUCN Red List data with national red list assessments where available.
How many Critically Endangered, Endangered, and Vulnerable species does Greece have?
Of the 1,547 threatened species in Greece, 301 are Critically Endangered, 517 are Endangered, and 729 are Vulnerable. Together these three IUCN Red List categories make up the "threatened" total.
What is the most endangered species in Greece?
Among the 301 Critically Endangered species in Greece, Vardar Streber (Zingel balcanicus) is one of the most at-risk — featured prominently on the country dashboard. The full list of Critically Endangered species is filterable on the Species tab.
What protected areas exist in Greece?
Greece has 26 protected areas catalogued on SpeciesRadar, sourced from the WDPA and national designations. Notable sites include Olympia Biosphere Reserve, Alonissos Marine Park, Zakynthos National Marine Park, and Mount Olympus National Park, among 22 others. The full list is sortable and downloadable on the Protected Areas tab.
Which animal and plant groups are most threatened in Greece?
The most affected groups in Greece, by number of threatened species, are insects (666), molluscs (229), and plants (227). The full taxonomic breakdown is shown on the country dashboard.
What are the biggest threats to wildlife in Greece?
The leading threats to threatened species in Greece are livestock farming & ranching, habitat shifting & alteration, annual & perennial non-timber crops, and housing & urban areas. Each threat is mapped to the species it affects in the country's threat breakdown.
How many threatened species are found only in Greece?
Greece has 582 threatened species that are endemic — found nowhere else on Earth. Because their entire global population depends on this one country, they are especially vulnerable to local habitat loss.
How many of Greece's threatened species have declining populations?
226 of Greece's threatened species have populations that are still declining. Reversing these trends is the central focus of the conservation work the country dashboard tracks.
How does Greece compare to other countries for threatened species?
Greece ranks #19 of 253 countries by number of threatened species, and accounts for roughly 2.78% of all threatened species tracked worldwide. Threat is geographically concentrated, so a high rank reflects both rich biodiversity and intense pressure on it.
Where does the data for Greece come from, and can I download it?
SpeciesRadar draws on the IUCN Red List, the Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF), the World Database on Protected Areas, and national red lists. Every table on the Greece profile — species, national red list, and protected areas — can be downloaded as a CSV spreadsheet or a branded PDF report.