What demographic trend poses the most acute structural challenge to the sustainability of Greece's national pension system?
Answer and explanation
Correct answer: A. rapid population aging and low fertility
- Step 1: Greece exhibits one of the lowest total fertility rates in Europe combined with rising life expectancy. This rapidly skews the old-age dependency ratio, leaving fewer active contributors to finance the pay-as-you-go pension system. Answer: rapid population aging and low fertility. Why not the others: "explosive infant population growth" is the exact opposite of demographic reality; Greece is experiencing chronic birth declines; "unprecedented influx of international educational workers" focuses on an isolated occupational cohort rather than macro-demographic workforce ratios; "complete ruralization of cities" contradicts ongoing urbanization trends and demographic concentration in metropolitan centers.
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