Greek islands ranked by population
Greek islands ranked by population highlights the enormous differences between the largest and smallest island communities in Greece. While some islands are home to major urban centres and substantial year-round populations, others support only small villages or a handful of permanent residents. Population size influences everything from infrastructure and healthcare to transport, employment opportunities and the overall atmosphere, making it one of the most useful ways to compare the Greek islands.
Greek islands ranked by population
(#1) Crete — ~624,408 residents
(#2) Evia — ~210,815 residents
(#3) Rhodes — ~115,490 residents
(#4) Corfu — ~102,071 residents
(#5) Lesbos — ~83,255 residents
(#6) Chios — ~51,390 residents
(#7) Zakynthos — ~40,559 residents
(#8) Salamina — ~39,510 residents
(#9) Kos — ~37,222 residents
(#10) Kefalonia — ~36,404 residents
(#11) Samos — ~32,815 residents
(#12) Lefkada — ~23,639 residents
(#13) Syros — ~21,124 residents
(#14) Naxos — ~20,405 residents
(#15) Lemnos — ~16,470 residents
(#16) Kalymnos — ~16,179 residents
(#17) Santorini — ~15,550 residents
(#18) Paros — ~15,480 residents
(#19) Thassos — ~13,577 residents
(#20) Aegina — ~13,500 residents
(#21) Mykonos — ~10,500 residents
(#22) Andros — ~9,221 residents
(#23) Ikaria — ~8,843 residents
(#24) Tinos — ~8,636 residents
(#25) Leros — ~7,992 residents
(#26) Karpathos — ~6,226 residents
(#27) Skiathos — ~6,088 residents
(#28) Milos — ~5,011 residents
(#29) Skopelos — ~4,960 residents
(#30) Spetses — ~4,123 residents
(#31) Poros — ~3,742 residents
(#32) Kythira — ~3,600 residents
(#33) Ithaca — ~3,231 residents
(#34) Patmos — ~3,047 residents
(#35) Skyros — ~2,994 residents
(#36) Alonissos — ~2,750 residents
(#37) Sifnos — ~2,625 residents
(#38) Symi — ~2,617 residents
(#39) Samothrace — ~2,596 residents
(#40) Kea — ~2,335 residents
(#41) Paxos — ~2,300 residents
(#42) Ios — ~2,299 residents
(#43) Amorgos — ~1,973 residents
(#44) Hydra — ~1,948 residents
(#45) Fournoi — ~1,459 residents
(#46) Kythnos — ~1,450 residents
(#47) Serifos — ~1,420 residents
(#48) Astypalaia — ~1,334 residents
(#49) Kasos — ~1,224 residents
(#50) Antiparos — ~1,211 residents
(#51) Agistri — ~1,145 residents
(#52) Meganisi — ~1,100 residents
(#54) Nisyros — ~1,008 residents
(#55) Elafonisos — ~898 residents
(#56) Leipsoi (Lipsi) — ~800 residents
(#57) Oinousses — ~800 residents
(#58) Kimolos — ~769 residents
(#59) Folegandros — ~765 residents
(#60) Tilos — ~746 residents
(#61) Kastellorizo — ~594 residents
(#62) Kalamos — ~589 residents
(#63) Ammouliani — ~547 residents
(#64) Erikoussa — ~496 residents
(#65) Psara — ~448 residents
(#66) Koufonisi (Ano Koufonisi) — ~399 residents
(#67) Othonoi — ~392 residents
(#68) Chalki — ~330 residents
(#69) Therasia — ~319 residents
(#70) Anafi — ~291 residents
(#71) Sikinos — ~273 residents
(#72) Agios Efstratios — ~270 residents
(#73) Schinoussa — ~256 residents
(#74) Mathraki — ~186 residents
(#75) Agathonisi — ~185 residents
(#76) Donousa — ~167 residents
(#77) Irakleia — ~151 residents
(#78) Thymaina — ~139 residents
(#79) Telendos — ~94 residents
(#80) Gavdos — ~80 residents
(#81) Pserimos — ~80 residents
(#82) Trizonia — ~45 residents
(#83) Kastos — ~44 residents
(#84) Arkoi — ~44 residents
(#85) Antikythera — ~39 residents
(#86) Farmakonisi — ~21 residents
(#87) Antipaxos — ~20 residents
(#88) Delos — ~20 residents
(#89) Dokos — ~18 residents
(#90) Kalolimnos — ~15 residents
(#91) Paleo Trikeri — ~15 residents
(#92) Marathi — ~12 residents
(#93) Gyali — ~10 residents
(#94) Levitha — ~4 residents
(#95) Agios Minas — ~3 residents
(#96) Kira Panagia — ~3 residents
(#97) Skorpios — ~3 residents
(#98) Kinaros — ~1 resident
(#99) Agios Georgios — 0 residents
(#100) Alimia — 0 residents
(#101) Antipsara — 0 residents
(#102) Arkoudi — 0 residents
(#103) Aspronisi — 0 residents
(#104) Atokos — 0 residents
(#105) Chrissi — 0 residents
(#106) Despotiko — 0 residents
(#107) Diaporos — 0 residents
(#108) Gyaros — 0 residents
(#109) Kato Koufonisi — 0 residents
(#110) Keros — 0 residents
(#111) Makronisos — 0 residents
(#112) Moni — 0 residents
(#113) Nea Kameni — 0 residents
(#114) Pachia — 0 residents
(#115) Palea Kameni — 0 residents
(#116) Patroklos — 0 residents
(#117) Petalas — 0 residents
(#118) Polyaigos — 0 residents
(#119) Proti — 0 residents
(#120) Rineia — 0 residents
(#121) Ro — 0 residents
(#122) Saliagos — 0 residents
(#123) Sapientza — 0 residents
(#124) Saria — 0 residents
(#125) Spinalonga — 0 residents
(#126) Strongyli — 0 residents
The numbers game;
Greek islands ranked by population are best suited to travellers, researchers, expats, and future residents who want to understand the scale, livability, and level of development of each island before choosing where to visit or live. People searching for population rankings are often trying to determine whether an island feels like a bustling regional centre, a balanced year-round community, a quiet village environment, or an isolated retreat. More populous islands tend to attract travellers who value extensive infrastructure, healthcare facilities, shopping, public transport, employment opportunities, and a wider range of services and attractions. Less populated islands often appeal to those seeking tranquillity, authenticity, close-knit communities, and a slower pace of life with fewer crowds and less commercialisation. Population size can influence everything from nightlife and restaurant choice to healthcare access, transport frequency, local culture, and year-round livability. For many people, the appeal lies in finding an island whose population matches their preferred lifestyle, whether that means the energy and convenience of a large island community or the peace and simplicity of a small island where everybody knows each other.
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Last Updated on June 19, 2026 by admin