Elis (regional Unit) - Population

Population

• 1991: 174,021, density: 65 inh./km²
• 2001: 192,340, density: 71.74/km²
• 2005: 198,765, density: 75.9/km²

Elis is the second most populous prefecture of the Peloponnese, after Achaea. Between 70% to 75% of the population live on fertile lands away from the mountains.

The population of ancient Elis (from 1000-1 BC) was in the range of 5,000 to 10,000 and reached 10,000 or 20,000 by 1 BC. The history of the population of Elis had suffered sharp population declines during invasion from northern and Eastern Europe, plagues, a couple of wars, and poor economy. Most of the population growth above 1% occurred in the 19th century and well into the 20th century. The biggest decline to its population was probably when invaders from Northern Europe dominate Elis and some wars as well. The population surpassed the 100,000 mark around the quarter of the 20th century and more than 150,000 in the late-20th century. Pyrgos became the largest city having the population over the 10,000 mark in the mid-20th century, and above 20,000 in the late-1980s. The population in the northwest is growing while the population is declining in the southeast and east.

The urban population is about higher than 60% and has surpassed population in the latter part of the 20th century, and rising to 70% and 80% of the population. Over the last 4,000 years, the majority of the population lived in rural areas.