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Communications

Broadcast media [time series]

mixture of state and privately run TV and radio services; the public broadcaster operates 2 TV channels and 4 radio stations; 6 private TV broadcasters, satellite and cable TV services including telecasts from Greece and Turkey, and a number of private radio stations are available; in areas administered by Turkish Cypriots, there are 2 public TV stations, 4 public radio stations, and privately owned TV and radio broadcast stations (2007)

Internet country code [time series]

.cy

Internet users [time series]

total: 738,900 | percent of population: 63.0% (2014 est.) | country comparison to the world: 127

Broadcast media (Radio broadcast stations) [time series]

area under government control: AM 5, FM 76, shortwave 0 | area administered by Turkish Cypriots: AM 1, FM 20, shortwave 1 (2004)

Telecommunication systems (Telephone system) [time series]

general assessment: excellent in both area under government control and area administered by Turkish Cypriots | domestic: open-wire, fiber-optic cable, and microwave radio relay | international: country code - 357 (area administered by Turkish Cypriots uses the country code of Turkey - 90); a number of submarine cables, including the SEA-ME-WE-3, combine to provide connectivity to Western Europe, the Middle East, and Asia; tropospheric scatter; satellite earth stations - 8 (3 Intelsat - 1 Atlantic Ocean and 2 Indian Ocean, 2 Eutelsat, 2 Intersputnik, and 1 Arabsat)

Telephones - fixed lines [time series]

total subscriptions: 330,000 | subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 28 (2014 est.) | country comparison to the world: 112

Telephones - mobile cellular [time series]

total: 1.1 million | subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 95 (2014 est.) | country comparison to the world: 157

Broadcast media (Television broadcast stations) [time series]

area under government control: 8 | area administered by Turkish Cypriots: 2 (plus 4 relay) (2004)

Economy

Agricultural products (Agriculture - products) [time series]

citrus, vegetables, barley, grapes, olives, vegetables; poultry, pork, lamb; dairy, cheese | Agriculture - products: citrus fruit, dairy, potatoes, grapes, olives, poultry, lamb

Budget [time series]

revenues:: $8.381 billion | expenditures:: $9.448 billion (2014 est.) | Budget: revenues: $2.5 billion, expenditures: $2.5 billion (2006)

Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-) [time series]

-5% of GDP (2014 est.) | country comparison to the world: 166

Central bank discount rate [time series]

0.75% (31 December 2013) | 1.5% (31 December 2010) | note: this is the European Central Bank's rate on the marginal lending facility, which offers overnight credit to banks in the euro area | country comparison to the world: 134

Commercial bank prime lending rate [time series]

6.1% (31 December 2014 est.) | 6.89% (31 December 2013 est.) | country comparison to the world: 130

Current account balance [time series]

-$229 million (2014 est.) | -$412 million (2013 est.) | country comparison to the world: 94

Debt - external [time series]

$95.28 billion (31 December 2013 est.) | $103.5 billion (31 December 2012 est.) | Debt - external: $NA

Gini Index coefficient - distribution of family income (Distribution of family income - Gini index) [time series]

32.4 (2013 est.) | 31 (2012 est.) | country comparison to the world: 105

Economic overview (Economy - overview) [time series]

The area of the Republic of Cyprus under government control has a market economy dominated by the service sector, which accounts for four-fifths of GDP. Tourism, financial services, and real estate have traditionally been the most important sectors. Cyprus has been a member of the European Union (EU) since May 2004 and adopted the euro as its national currency in January 2008. During the first five years of EU membership, the Cyprus economy grew at an average rate of about 4%, with unemployment between 2004 and 2008 averaging about 4%. However, the economy tipped into recession in 2009 as the ongoing global financial crisis and resulting low demand hit the tourism and construction sectors. An overextended banking sector with excessive exposure to Greek debt added to the contraction. Cyprus’s biggest two banks were among the largest holders of Greek bonds in Europe and had a substantial presence in Greece through bank branches and subsidiaries. Following numerous downgrades of its credit rating, Cyprus lost access to international capital markets in May 2011. In July 2012, Cyprus became the fifth eurozone government to request an economic bailout program from the European Commission, European Central Bank and the International Monetary Fund - known collectively as the "Troika." | Shortly after the election of President Nikos ANASTASIADES in February 2013, Cyprus reached an agreement with the Troika on a $10 billion bailout that resulted in losses on uninsured bank deposits. The bailout triggered a two-week bank closure and the imposition of capital controls that were completely withdrawn in April 2015. Cyprus' two largest banks merged and the combined entity was recapitalized through conversion of some large bank deposits to shares and imposition of losses on bank bondholders. As with other EU countries, the Troika conditioned the bailout on passing financial and structural reforms and privatizing state-owned enterprises. Despite downsizing and restructuring, the Cypriot financial sector throughout 2014 remained burdened by the largest stock of non-performing loans (NPLs) in the euro-zone, equal to nearly half of all loans. Since the bailout, Cyprus has received positive appraisals by the Troika but met its first signs of resistance to passing bailout-mandated legislation in 2014. Political disagreements held up passage of contentious legislation required by the Troika to reform bankruptcy rules, delaying disbursal of bailout funds during the second half of the year. In October 2013, a US-Israeli consortium completed preliminary appraisals of hydrocarbon deposits in Cyprus’ exclusive economic zone (EEZ), which revealed an estimated gross mean reserve of about 140 billion cubic meters. Though exploration continues in Cyprus’ EEZ, no additional commercially exploitable reserves were identified during the exploratory drilling in 2014/2015. Nevertheless, developing its offshore hydrocarbon resources remains a critical component to the government’s economic recovery efforts. Industry experts say there may be exploratory and development drilling in 2016 and 2017. | Economy - overview: Even though the whole of the island is part of the EU, implementation of the EU "acquis communautaire" has been suspended in the area administered by Turkish Cypriots, known locally as the "Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus" ("TRNC"), until political conditions permit the reunification of the island. The market-based economy of the TRNC is roughly one-fifth the size of its southern neighbor and is likewise dominated by the service sector with a large portion of the population employed by the government. In 2012 - the latest year for which data are available - the services sector, which includes the public sector, trade, tourism, and education, contributed 58.7% to economic output. In the same year, light manufacturing and agriculture contributed 2.7% and 6.2%, respectively. Manufacturing is limited mainly to food and beverages, furniture and fixtures, construction materials, metal and non-metal products, textiles and clothing. The “TRNC” maintains few economic ties with the Republic of Cyprus outside of trade in construction materials. Since its creation, the "TRNC" has heavily relied on financial assistance from Turkey, which supports the "TRNC" defense, telecommunications, water and postal services. The Turkish Lira is the preferred currency, though foreign currencies are widely accepted in business transactions. The "TRNC" remains vulnerable to the Turkish market and monetary policy because of its use of the Turkish Lira. The "TRNC" weathered the European financial crisis relatively unscathed - compared to the Republic of Cyprus - because of the lack of financial sector development, the health of the Turkish economy, and its separation from the rest of the island. The TRNC economy experienced growth estimated at 2.8% in 2013 and 2.3% in 2014 and is projected to grow 3.8% in 2015.

Economy of the area administered by Turkish Cypriots [time series]

Economy - overview: Even though the whole of the island is part of the EU, implementation of the EU "acquis communautaire" has been suspended in the area administered by Turkish Cypriots, known locally as the "Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus" ("TRNC"), until political conditions permit the reunification of the island. The market-based economy of the TRNC is roughly one-fifth the size of its southern neighbor and is likewise dominated by the service sector with a large portion of the population employed by the government. In 2012 - the latest year for which data are available - the services sector, which includes the public sector, trade, tourism, and education, contributed 58.7% to economic output. In the same year, light manufacturing and agriculture contributed 2.7% and 6.2%, respectively. Manufacturing is limited mainly to food and beverages, furniture and fixtures, construction materials, metal and non-metal products, textiles and clothing. The “TRNC” maintains few economic ties with the Republic of Cyprus outside of trade in construction materials. Since its creation, the "TRNC" has heavily relied on financial assistance from Turkey, which supports the "TRNC" defense, telecommunications, water and postal services. The Turkish Lira is the preferred currency, though foreign currencies are widely accepted in business transactions. The "TRNC" remains vulnerable to the Turkish market and monetary policy because of its use of the Turkish Lira. The "TRNC" weathered the European financial crisis relatively unscathed - compared to the Republic of Cyprus - because of the lack of financial sector development, the health of the Turkish economy, and its separation from the rest of the island. The TRNC economy experienced growth estimated at 2.8% in 2013 and 2.3% in 2014 and is projected to grow 3.8% in 2015. | GDP (purchasing power parity): $1.829 billion (2007 est.) | GDP - real growth rate: 2.3% (2014 est.) | 2.8% (2013 est.) | GDP - per capita: $11,700 (2007 est.) | GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 6.2%, industry: 35.1%, services: 58.7% (2012 est.) | Labor force: 95,030 (2007 est.) | Labor force - by occupation: agriculture: 14.5%, industry: 29%, services: 56.5% (2004) | Unemployment rate: 9.4% (2005 est.) | Population below poverty line: %NA | Inflation rate: 11.4% (2006) | Budget: revenues: $2.5 billion, expenditures: $2.5 billion (2006) | Agriculture - products: citrus fruit, dairy, potatoes, grapes, olives, poultry, lamb | Industries: foodstuffs, textiles, clothing, ship repair, clay, gypsum, copper, furniture | Industrial production growth rate: -0.3% (2007 est.) | Electricity production: 998.9 million kWh (2005) | Electricity consumption: 797.9 million kWh (2005) | Exports: $68.1 million, f.o.b. (2007 est.) | Export - commodities: citrus, dairy, potatoes, textiles | Export - partners: Turkey 40%; direct trade between the area administered by Turkish Cypriots and the area under government control remains limited | Imports: $1.2 billion, f.o.b. (2007 est.) | Import - commodities: vehicles, fuel, cigarettes, food, minerals, chemicals, machinery | Import - partners: Turkey 60%; direct trade between the area administered by Turkish Cypriots and the area under government control remains limited | Reserves of foreign exchange and gold: $NA | Debt - external: $NA | Currency (code): Turkish new lira (YTL) | Exchange rates: Turkish new lira per US dollar: 1.9 (2013) 1.8 (2012) 1.668 (2011) 1.5026 (2010) 1.55 (2009)

Exchange rates [time series]

euros (EUR) per US dollar - | 0.7489 (2014 est.) | 0.7634 (2013 est.) | 0.78 (2012 est.) | 0.7185 (2011 est.) | 0.755 (2010 est.) | Exchange rates: Turkish new lira per US dollar: 1.9 (2013) 1.8 (2012) 1.668 (2011) 1.5026 (2010) 1.55 (2009)

Exports [time series]

$1.916 billion (2014 est.) | $2.14 billion (2013 est.) | Exports: $68.1 million, f.o.b. (2007 est.)

Exports - commodities [time series]

citrus, potatoes, pharmaceuticals, cement, clothing

Exports - partners [time series]

Greece 17.5%, UK 10.8%, Israel 5.8% (2014)

Fiscal year [time series]

calendar year

GDP (official exchange rate) [time series]

$23.27 billion (2014 est.)

Real GDP (purchasing power parity) (GDP (purchasing power parity)) [time series]

$27.42 billion (2014 est.) | $28.05 billion (2013 est.) | $29.64 billion (2012 est.) | note: data are in 2014 US dollars | GDP (purchasing power parity): $1.829 billion (2007 est.)

GDP - composition, by end use [time series]

GDP - composition, by sector of origin [time series]

agriculture: 2.9% | industry: 10.5% | services: 86.6% (2015 est.)

Real GDP per capita (GDP - per capita (PPP)) [time series]

$30,800 (2014 est.) | $31,500 (2013 est.) | $33,300 (2012 est.) | note: data are in 2014 US dollars | country comparison to the world: 60

Real GDP growth rate (GDP - real growth rate) [time series]

-2.3% (2014 est.) | -5.4% (2013 est.) | -2.4% (2012 est.) | GDP - real growth rate: 2.3% (2014 est.)

Gross national saving [time series]

10.1% of GDP (2014 est.) | 10.4% of GDP (2013 est.) | 10.1% of GDP (2012 est.) | country comparison to the world: 151

Household income or consumption by percentage share [time series]

lowest 10%: 3.5% | highest 10%: 26.4% (2013)

Imports [time series]

$6.827 billion (2014 est.) | $6.42 billion (2013 est.) | Imports: $1.2 billion, f.o.b. (2007 est.)

Imports - commodities [time series]

consumer goods, petroleum and lubricants, machinery, transport equipment

Imports - partners [time series]

Greece 23.8%, Israel 9.6%, UK 7.4%, Italy 7.2%, Germany 7.1%, Netherlands 5.7%, France 5.6%, Spain 4.8%, China 4.3% (2014)

Industrial production growth rate [time series]

-3.5% (2014 est.) | Industrial production growth rate: -0.3% (2007 est.)

Industries [time series]

tourism, food and beverage processing, cement and gypsum, ship repair and refurbishment, textiles, light chemicals, metal products, wood, paper, stone and clay products | Industries: foodstuffs, textiles, clothing, ship repair, clay, gypsum, copper, furniture

Inflation rate (consumer prices) [time series]

-0.3% (2014 est.) | 0.4% (2013 est.) | country comparison to the world: 15

Labor force [time series]

356,700 (2013 est.) | Labor force: 95,030 (2007 est.)

Labor force - by occupation [time series]

agriculture: 3.9% | industry: 16% | services: 80.1% (2013 est.) | Labor force - by occupation: agriculture: 14.5%, industry: 29%, services: 56.5% (2004)

Market value of publicly traded shares [time series]

$1.996 billion (31 December 2012 est.) | $2.853 billion (31 December 2011) | $6.834 billion (31 December 2010 est.) | country comparison to the world: 101

Population below poverty line [time series]

NA% | Population below poverty line: %NA

Public debt [time series]

107.5% of GDP (2014 est.) | 111.7% of GDP (2013 est.) | note: data cover general government debt, and includes debt instruments issued (or owned) by government entities other than the treasury; the data include treasury debt held by foreign entities; the data exclude debt issued by subnational entities, as well as intra-governmental debt; intra-governmental debt consists of treasury borrowings from surpluses in the social funds, such as for retirement, medical care, and unemployment | country comparison to the world: 8

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold [time series]

$1.011 billion (31 December 2014 est.) | $915 million (31 December 2013 est.) | Reserves of foreign exchange and gold: $NA

Stock of broad money [time series]

$43.41 billion (31 December 2014 est.) | $47.99 billion (31 December 2013 est.) | country comparison to the world: 72

Stock of direct foreign investment - abroad [time series]

$12.52 billion (31 December 2014 est.) | $11.57 billion (31 December 2013 est.) | country comparison to the world: 53

Stock of direct foreign investment - at home [time series]

$21.9 billion (31 December 2014 est.) | $20.9 billion (31 December 2013 est.) | country comparison to the world: 74

Stock of domestic credit [time series]

$47.08 billion (31 December 2014 est.) | $52.05 billion (31 December 2013 est.) | country comparison to the world: 63

Stock of narrow money [time series]

$4.554 billion (31 December 2014 est.) | $4.883 billion (31 December 2013 est.) | note: see entry for the European Union for money supply for the entire euro area; the European Central Bank (ECB) controls monetary policy for the 18 members of the Economic and Monetary Union (EMU); individual members of the EMU do not control the quantity of money circulating within their own borders | country comparison to the world: 105

Taxes and other revenues [time series]

39.3% of GDP (2014 est.) | country comparison to the world: 40

Unemployment rate [time series]

16% (2014 est.) | 15.9% (2013 est.) | Unemployment rate: 9.4% (2005 est.)

Energy

Carbon dioxide emissions (Carbon dioxide emissions from consumption of energy) [time series]

8.801 million Mt (2012 est.) | country comparison to the world: 107

Crude oil - exports [time series]

0 bbl/day (2010 est.) | country comparison to the world: 101

Crude oil - imports [time series]

0 bbl/day (2010 est.) | country comparison to the world: 177

Crude oil - production [time series]

0 bbl/day (2013 est.) | country comparison to the world: 167

Crude oil - proved reserves [time series]

0 bbl (1 January 2014 est.) | country comparison to the world: 123

Electricity - consumption [time series]

4.409 billion kWh (2012 est.) | country comparison to the world: 119

Electricity - exports [time series]

0 kWh (2013 est.) | country comparison to the world: 130

Electricity - from fossil fuels [time series]

86.9% of total installed capacity (2011 est.) | country comparison to the world: 83

Electricity - from hydroelectric plants [time series]

0% of total installed capacity (2011 est.) | country comparison to the world: 167

Electricity - from nuclear fuels [time series]

0% of total installed capacity (2011 est.) | country comparison to the world: 75

Electricity - from other renewable sources [time series]

13.1% of total installed capacity (2011 est.) | country comparison to the world: 23

Electricity - imports [time series]

0 kWh (2013 est.) | country comparison to the world: 137

Electricity - installed generating capacity [time series]

1.11 million kW (2011 est.) | country comparison to the world: 121

Electricity - production [time series]

3.942 billion kWh (2013 est.) | country comparison to the world: 125

Natural gas - consumption [time series]

0 cu m (2012 est.) | country comparison to the world: 136

Natural gas - exports [time series]

0 cu m (2012 est.) | country comparison to the world: 85

Natural gas - imports [time series]

0 cu m (2012 est.) | country comparison to the world: 184

Natural gas - production [time series]

0 cu m (2012 est.) | country comparison to the world: 122

Natural gas - proved reserves [time series]

141.6 billion cu m (1 January 2014 est.) | country comparison to the world: 129

Refined petroleum products - consumption [time series]

58,000 bbl/day (2013 est.) | country comparison to the world: 96

Refined petroleum products - exports [time series]

0 bbl/day (2010 est.) | country comparison to the world: 170

Refined petroleum products - imports [time series]

58,310 bbl/day (2010 est.) | country comparison to the world: 65

Refined petroleum products - production [time series]

0 bbl/day (2010 est.) | country comparison to the world: 136

Geography

Area [time series]

total: 9,251 sq km (of which 3,355 sq km are in north Cyprus) | land: 9,241 sq km | water: 10 sq km | country comparison to the world: 171

Area - comparative [time series]

about 0.6 times the size of Connecticut

Climate [time series]

temperate; Mediterranean with hot, dry summers and cool winters

Coastline [time series]

648 km

Elevation (Elevation extremes) [time series]

lowest point: Mediterranean Sea 0 m | highest point: Mount Olympus 1,951 m

Environment - current issues [time series]

water resource problems (no natural reservoir catchments, seasonal disparity in rainfall, sea water intrusion to island's largest aquifer, increased salination in the north); water pollution from sewage and industrial wastes; coastal degradation; loss of wildlife habitats from urbanization

International environmental agreements (Environment - international agreements) [time series]

party to: Air Pollution, Air Pollution-Nitrogen Oxides, Air Pollution-Persistent Organic Pollutants, Air Pollution-Sulfur 94, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands | signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements

Total water withdrawal (Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural)) [time series]

total: 0.18 cu km/yr (10%/3%/86%) | per capita: 164.7 cu m/yr (2009)

Geographic coordinates [time series]

35 00 N, 33 00 E

Geography - note [time series]

the third largest island in the Mediterranean Sea (after Sicily and Sardinia)

Irrigated land [time series]

457.9 sq km (2007)

Land boundaries [time series]

total: 156 km | border sovereign base areas: Akrotiri 48 km, Dhekelia 108 km

Land use [time series]

agricultural land: 13.4% | arable land 9.8%; permanent crops 3.2%; permanent pasture 0.4% | forest: 18.8% | other: 67.8% (2011 est.)

Location [time series]

Middle East, island in the Mediterranean Sea, south of Turkey

Map references [time series]

Middle East

Maritime claims [time series]

territorial sea: 12 nm | contiguous zone: 24 nm | continental shelf: 200-m depth or to the depth of exploitation

Natural hazards [time series]

moderate earthquake activity; droughts

Natural resources [time series]

copper, pyrites, asbestos, gypsum, timber, salt, marble, clay earth pigment

Terrain [time series]

central plain with mountains to north and south; scattered but significant plains along southern coast

Total renewable water resources [time series]

0.78 cu km (2011)

Government

Administrative divisions [time series]

6 districts; Ammochostos (Famagusta; all but a small part administered by Turkish Cypriots), Keryneia (Kyrenia; the only district completely administered by Turkish Cypriots), Larnaka (Larnaca; a small part administered by Turkish Cypriots), Lefkosia (Nicosia; a small part administered by Turkish Cypriots), Lemesos (Limassol), Pafos (Paphos); note - the 5 districts of Turkish Cypriot-administered part of Cyprus are Gazimagusa (Famagusta), Girne (Kyrenia), Guzelyurt (Morphou), Iskele (Trikomo), Lefkosia (Nicosia)

Capital [time series]

name: Nicosia (Lefkosia/Lefkosa) | geographic coordinates: 35 10 N, 33 22 E | time difference: UTC+2 (7 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time) | daylight saving time: +1hr, begins last Sunday in March; ends last Sunday in October

Constitution [time series]

ratified 16 August 1960; note - in 1963, the constitution was partly suspended as Turkish Cypriots withdrew from the government; Turkish-held territory in 1983 was declared the "Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus" ("TRNC"); in 1985, the "TRNC" approved its own constitution (2013)

Country name [time series]

conventional long form: Republic of Cyprus | conventional short form: Cyprus | local long form: Kypriaki Dimokratia/Kibris Cumhuriyeti | local short form: Kypros/Kibris | note: the Turkish Cypriot community, which administers the northern part of the island, refers to itself as the "Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus" or "TRNC" ("Kuzey Kibris Turk Cumhuriyeti" or "KKTC")

Diplomatic representation from the US [time series]

chief of mission: Ambassador John M. KOENIG (since 17 August 2012) | embassy: corner of Metochiou and Ploutarchou Streets, 2407 Engomi, Nicosia | mailing address: P. O. Box 24536, 1385 Nicosia | telephone: [357] (22) 393939 | FAX: [357] (22) 780944

Diplomatic representation in the US [time series]

chief of mission: Ambassador George CHACALLI (since 30 May 2013) | chancery: 2211 R Street NW, Washington, DC 20008 | telephone: [1] (202) 462-5772, 462-0873 | FAX: [1] (202) 483-6710 | consulate(s) general: New York | note: representative of the Turkish Cypriot community in the US is Ahmet ERDENGIZ; office at 1667 K Street NW, Washington, DC; telephone [1] (202) 887-6198

Executive branch [time series]

chief of state: President Nicos ANASTASIADES (since 28 February 2013); note - the president is both chief of state and head of government; vice president (vacant); note - vice presidency reserved for Turkish Cypriot | head of government: President Nicos ANASTASIADES (since 28 February 2013) | cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the president; note - under the 1960 constitution, 3 of the ministerial posts reserved for Turkish Cypriots, appointed by the vice president; positions currently filled by Greek Cypriots | elections/appointments: president directly elected by absolute majority popular vote in 2 rounds if needed for a 5-year term; election last held on 17 and 24 February 2013 (next to be held in February 2018) | election results: Nicos ANASTASIADES elected president; percent of vote in first round - Nicos ANASTASIADES (DISY) 45.5%, Stavros MALAS(AKEL) 26.9%, Giorgos LILLIKAS (SP) 24.9%, other 2.7%; percent of vote in second round - Nicos ANASTASIADES 57.5%, Savros MALAS 42.5% | note: Mustafa AKINCI elected "president" of the "TRNC" on 30 April 2015; percent of vote in first round (19 April 2015) - Dervis EROGLU (UBP) 28.2%, Mustafa AKINCI (TDP) 26.9%, other 44.9%; percent of vote in runoff (26 April 2015) - AKINCI 60.5%, EROGLU 39.5%; Ozkan YORGANCIOGLU (CTP-BG) became "TRNC prime minister"

Flag (Flag description) [time series]

white with a copper-colored silhouette of the island (the name Cyprus is derived from the Greek word for copper) above two green crossed olive branches in the center of the flag; the branches symbolize the hope for peace and reconciliation between the Greek and Turkish communities | note: the "Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus" flag retains the white field of the Cyprus national flag but displays narrow horizontal red stripes positioned a small distance from the top and bottom edges between which are centered a red crescent and a red five-pointed star; the banner is modeled after the Turkish national flag but with the colors reversed

Government type [time series]

republic | note: a separation of the two ethnic communities inhabiting the island began following the outbreak of communal strife in 1963; this separation was further solidified after the Turkish intervention in July 1974, following a Greek military-junta-supported coup attempt that gave the Turkish Cypriots de facto control in the north; Greek Cypriots control the only internationally recognized government; on 15 November 1983 Turkish Cypriot "President" Rauf DENKTAS declared independence and the formation of a "Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus" ("TRNC"), which is recognized only by Turkey

Independence [time series]

16 August 1960 (from the UK); note - Turkish Cypriots proclaimed self-rule on 13 February 1975 and independence in 1983, but these proclamations are recognized only by Turkey

International law organization participation [time series]

accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction with reservations; accepts ICCt jurisdiction

International organization participation [time series]

Australia Group, C, CD, CE, EBRD, ECB, EIB, EMU, EU, FAO, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC (national committees), ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, ITUC (NGOs), MIGA, NAM, NSG, OAS (observer), OIF, OPCW, OSCE, PCA, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNIFIL, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WFTU (NGOs), WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO

Judicial branch [time series]

highest court(s): Supreme Court of Cyprus (consists of 13 judges including the court president); note - the highest court in the "Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC)" is the "Supreme Court" (consists of 8 "judges" including the "court president") | judge selection and term of office: Republic of Cyprus Supreme Court judges appointed by the president of the republic upon the recommendation of the Supreme Court judges; judges tenure is until the age of 68; "TRNC Supreme Court" judges appointed by the "Supreme Council of Judicature", a 12-member body of "judges", the "attorney general", "appointees" - 1 each by the "president" of the "TRNC" and by the "Legislative Assembly" and 1 member elected by the Bar Association; "judge" tenure NA | subordinate courts: Republic of Cyprus district courts; Assize Courts; specialized courts for issues relating to family, industrial disputes, military, and rent control; "TRNC Assize Courts"; "district and family courts"

Legal system [time series]

mixed legal system of English common law and civil law with European law supremacy

Legislative branch [time series]

description: area under government control: unicameral House of Representatives or Vouli Antiprosopon (80 seats; 56 assigned to Greek Cypriots, 24 to Turkish Cypriots, but only those assigned to Greek Cypriots are filled; members directly elected by both proportional representation and preferential vote; members serve 5-year terms); area administered by Turkish Cypriots: unicameral Assembly of the Republic or Cumhuriyet Meclisi (50 seats; members directly elected by proportional representation vote to serve 5-year terms) | elections: area under government control: last held on 22 May 2011 (next to be held in May 2016); area administered by Turkish Cypriots: last held on 28 July 2013 (next to be held on July 2018) | election results: area under government control: House of Representatives - percent of vote by party - DISY 34.3%, AKEL 32.7%, DIKO 15.8%, KS-EDEK 8.9%, EVROKO 3.9%, other 4.4%; seats by party - DISY 20, AKEL 19, DIKO 9, KS-EDEK 5, EVROKO 2, KOP 1; note - as of 1 January 2014, the composition of the Cypriot House of Representatives was DISY 20, AKEL 19, DIKO 8, KS-EDEK 5, EVROKO 1, SP 1, KOP 1, independent 1; area administered by Turkish Cypriots: "Assembly of the Republic" - percent of vote by party - CTP-BG 38%, UBP 27%, DP-UG 23%, TDP 7%, other 5%; seats by party - CTP-BG 21, UBP 17, DP-UG 9, TDP 3

National anthem(s) (National anthem) [time series]

name: "Ymnos eis tin Eleftherian" (Hymn to Liberty) | lyrics/music: Dionysios SOLOMOS/Nikolaos MANTZAROS | note: adopted 1960; Cyprus adopted the Greek national anthem as its own; the Turkish community in Cyprus uses the anthem of Turkey

National holiday [time series]

Independence Day, 1 October (1960); note - Turkish Cypriots celebrate 15 November (1983) as "Republic Day"

National symbol(s) [time series]

Cypriot mouflon (wild sheep), white dove; national colors: blue, white

Political parties (Political parties and leaders) [time series]

Citizens' Alliance or SP [Giorgos LILLIKAS] | Democratic Party or DIKO [Nicolas PAPADOPOULOS] | Democratic Rally or DISY [Averof NEOPHYTOU (Neofytou)] | Ecological and Environmental Movement or KOP (Green Party) [Giorgos PERDIKIS] | European Party or EVROKO [Dimitris SYLLOURIS] | Movement of Social Democrats or KS-EDEK [Marinos SIZOPOULOS] | National Popular Front or ELAM [Christos CHRISTOU] | Progressive Party of the Working People or AKEL (Communist Party) [Andros KYPRIANOU] | United Democrats or EDI [Praxoula ANTONIADOU] | Communal Democracy Party or TDP [Cemal OZYIGIT] | Cyprus Socialist Party or KSP [Mehmet BIRINCI] | Democrat Party- National Forces or DP-UG [Serdar DENKTAS] | National Justice Party or UAP [Fatma SOLMAZ] | National Unity Party or UBP [Huseyin OZGURGUN] | New Cyprus Party or YKP [Murat KANATLI] | Republican Turkish Party-United Forces or CTP-BG [Ozkan YORGANCIOGLU] | Social Democratic Party or SDP [Tozun TUNALI] | United Cyprus Party or BKP [Izzet IZCAN]

Political parties (Political pressure groups and leaders) [time series]

Confederation of Cypriot Workers or SEK [Nicos MOYSEOS] (pro-West) | Pan-Cyprian Labor Federation or PEO (Communist controlled) [Pambis KYRITSIS] | area administered by Turkish Cypriots: Confederation of Revolutionary Labor Unions or Dev-Is | Federation of Turkish Cypriot Labor Unions or Turk-Sen [Asian BICAKLI]

Suffrage [time series]

18 years of age; universal

Introduction

Background [time series]

A former British colony, Cyprus became independent in 1960 following years of resistance to British rule. Tensions between the Greek Cypriot majority and Turkish Cypriot minority came to a head in December 1963, when violence broke out in the capital of Nicosia. Despite the deployment of UN peacekeepers in 1964, sporadic intercommunal violence continued forcing most Turkish Cypriots into enclaves throughout the island. In 1974, a Greek Government-sponsored attempt to overthrow the elected president of Cyprus was met by military intervention from Turkey, which soon controlled more than a third of the island. In 1983, the Turkish Cypriot administered area declared itself the "Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus" ("TRNC"), but it is recognized only by Turkey. In February 2014, after a hiatus of nearly two years, the leaders of the two communities resumed formal discussions under UN auspices aimed at reuniting the divided island. Talks were suspended in October 2014, but the UN has continued discussions with both sides in an effort to resume talks. The entire island entered the EU on 1 May 2004, although the EU acquis - the body of common rights and obligations - applies only to the areas under the internationally recognized government, and is suspended in the area administered by Turkish Cypriots. However, individual Turkish Cypriots able to document their eligibility for Republic of Cyprus citizenship legally enjoy the same rights accorded to other citizens of European Union states.

Military

Manpower available for military service [time series]

males age 16-49: 327,875 | females age 16-49: 287,891 (2010 est.)

Manpower fit for military service [time series]

males age 16-49: 275,842 | females age 16-49: 239,862 (2010 est.)

Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually [time series]

male: 8,167 | female: 7,398 (2010 est.)

Military and security forces (Military branches) [time series]

Republic of Cyprus: Cypriot National Guard (Ethniki Froura, EF; includes naval and air elements); Northern Cyprus: Turkish Cypriot Security Force (GKK) (2014)

Military expenditures [time series]

2.1% of GDP (2013) | 2.05% of GDP (2012) | 2.14% of GDP (2011) | 2.05% of GDP (2010) | country comparison to the world: 37

Military service age and obligation [time series]

Cypriot National Guard (CNG): 18-50 years of age for compulsory military service for all Greek Cypriot males; 17 years of age for voluntary service; 2-year service obligation (2014)

People and Society

Age structure [time series]

0-14 years: 15.61% (male 95,431/female 90,159) | 15-24 years: 14.87% (male 96,152/female 80,633) | 25-54 years: 46.97% (male 293,582/female 264,935) | 55-64 years: 11.05% (male 62,826/female 68,551) | 65 years and over: 11.51% (male 59,363/female 77,565) (2015 est.)

Birth rate [time series]

11.41 births/1,000 population (2015 est.) | country comparison to the world: 172

Death rate [time series]

6.62 deaths/1,000 population (2015 est.) | country comparison to the world: 143

Dependency ratios [time series]

total dependency ratio: 41.6% | youth dependency ratio: 23.4% | elderly dependency ratio: 18.2% | potential support ratio: 5.5% (2015 est.)

Drinking water source [time series]

Education expenditure (Education expenditures) [time series]

7.2% of GDP (2011) | country comparison to the world: 19

Ethnic groups [time series]

Greek 77%, Turkish 18%, other 5% (2001)

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate [time series]

0.06% (2013 est.) | country comparison to the world: 117

HIV/AIDS - deaths [time series]

fewer than 100 (2013 est.) | country comparison to the world: 124

HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS [time series]

400 (2013 est.) | country comparison to the world: 125

Health expenditure (Health expenditures) [time series]

7.4% of GDP (2013) | country comparison to the world: 72

Hospital bed density [time series]

3.5 beds/1,000 population (2011)

Infant mortality rate [time series]

total: 8.36 deaths/1,000 live births | male: 9.97 deaths/1,000 live births | female: 6.68 deaths/1,000 live births (2015 est.) | country comparison to the world: 152

Languages [time series]

Greek (official) 80.9%, Turkish (official) 0.2%, English 4.1%, Romanian 2.9%, Russian 2.5%, Bulgarian 2.2%, Arabic 1.2%, Filippino 1.1%, other 4.3%, unspecified 0.6% (2011 est.)

Life expectancy at birth [time series]

total population: 78.51 years | male: 75.7 years | female: 81.46 years (2015 est.) | country comparison to the world: 54

Literacy [time series]

definition: age 15 and over can read and write | total population: 99.1% | male: 99.5% | female: 98.7% (2015 est.)

Major urban areas - population [time series]

NICOSIA (capital) 251,000 (2014)

Median age [time series]

total: 36.1 years | male: 34.7 years | female: 37.7 years (2015 est.)

Nationality [time series]

noun: Cypriot(s) | adjective: Cypriot

Net migration rate [time series]

9.48 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2015 est.) | country comparison to the world: 11

Obesity - adult prevalence rate [time series]

24.5% (2014) | country comparison to the world: 53

People - note [time series]

demographic data for Cyprus include the population in the government-controlled area and the area administered by Turkish Cypriots

Physician density (Physicians density) [time series]

2.33 physicians/1,000 population (2012)

Population [time series]

1,189,197 (July 2015 est.) | country comparison to the world: 161

Population growth rate [time series]

1.43% (2015 est.) | country comparison to the world: 84

Religions [time series]

Orthodox Christian 89.1%, Roman Catholic 2.9%, Protestant/Anglican 2%, Muslim 1.8%, Buddhist 1%, other (includes Maronite, Armenian Church, Hindu) 1.4%, unknown 1.1%, none/atheist 0.6% (2011 est.)

Sanitation facility access [time series]

School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education) [time series]

total: 14 years | male: 14 years | female: 14 years (2012)

Sex ratio [time series]

Total fertility rate [time series]

1.46 children born/woman (2015 est.) | country comparison to the world: 202

Youth unemployment rate (ages 15-24) (Unemployment, youth ages 15-24) [time series]

total: 27.8% | male: 28.8% | female: 26.6% (2012 est.) | country comparison to the world: 32

Urbanization [time series]

urban population: 66.9% of total population (2015) | rate of urbanization: 0.89% annual rate of change (2010-15 est.)

Transnational Issues

Disputes - international [time series]

hostilities in 1974 divided the island into two de facto autonomous entities, the internationally recognized Cypriot Government and a Turkish-Cypriot community (north Cyprus); the 1,000-strong UN Peacekeeping Force in Cyprus (UNFICYP) has served in Cyprus since 1964 and maintains the buffer zone between north and south; on 1 May 2004, Cyprus entered the European Union still divided, with the EU's body of legislation and standards (acquis communitaire) suspended in the north; Turkey protests Cypriot Government creating hydrocarbon blocks and maritime boundary with Lebanon in March 2007

Illicit drugs [time series]

minor transit point for heroin and hashish via air routes and container traffic to Europe, especially from Lebanon and Turkey; some cocaine transits as well; despite a strengthening of anti-money-laundering legislation, remains vulnerable to money laundering; reporting of suspicious transactions in offshore sector remains weak (2008)

Refugees and internally displaced persons [time series]

IDPs: 212,400 (both Turkish and Greek Cypriots; many displaced since 1974) (2015) (2014)

Trafficking in persons [time series]

current situation: Cyprus is a source and destination country for men and women from Eastern Europe, India, Vietnam, and sub-Saharan Africa who are subjected to forced labor and sex trafficking; migrant workers and asylum seekers from these countries are subjected to forced work in the construction, agriculture, and domestic service sectors; migrant workers are often subjected to debt bondage, threats, and withholding of pay and documents once work permits expire; sex trafficking occurs within Cyprus’ commercial sex industry outlets, including bars, coffee shops, and cabarets | tier rating: Tier 2 Watch List – Cyprus does not fully comply with the minimum standards for the elimination of trafficking; however, it is making significant efforts to do so; in 2013, the government implemented an EU directive that strengthened its legal framework for combating human trafficking, and a new-anti-trafficking action plan was adopted for 2013-2015; significant decreases occurred in investigations, prosecutions, and convictions of trafficking offenses, and punishments remained weak; fewer trafficking victims were identified (2014)

Transportation

Airports [time series]

15 (2013) | country comparison to the world: 145

Airports - with paved runways [time series]

total: 13 | 2,438 to 3,047 m: 7 | 1,524 to 2,437 m: 2 | 914 to 1,523 m: 3 | under 914 m: 1 (2013)

Airports - with unpaved runways [time series]

total: 2 | 2 (2013)

Heliports [time series]

9 (2013)

Merchant marine [time series]

total: 838 | by type: bulk carrier 278, cargo 163, chemical tanker 77, container 201, liquefied gas 11, passenger 3, passenger/cargo 25, petroleum tanker 62, refrigerated cargo 5, roll on/roll off 9, vehicle carrier 4 | foreign-owned: 622 (Angola 1, Austria 1, Belgium 3, Bermuda 1, Canada 2, China 6, Denmark 6, Estonia 6, France 16, Germany 192, Greece 201, Hong Kong 2, India 4, Iran 10, Ireland 3, Italy 6, Japan 16, Netherlands 23, Norway 14, Philippines 1, Poland 24, Portugal 2, Russia 46, Singapore 1, Slovenia 5, Spain 6, Sweden 5, Turkey 1, UAE 3, UK 7, Ukraine 3, US 5) | registered in other countries: 152 (Bahamas 23, Cambodia 4, Comoros 2, Finland 1, Gibraltar 1, Greece 3, Hong Kong 3, Liberia 9, Malta 32, Marshall Islands 40, Norway 1, Panama 5, Russia 13, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines 3, Sierra Leone 2, Singapore 6, unknown 4) (2010) | country comparison to the world: 13

Ports (Ports and terminals) [time series]

major seaport(s): area under government control: Larnaca, Limassol, Vasilikos; area administered by Turkish Cypriots: Famagusta, Kyrenia

Roadways [time series]