ARCHIVE // CY // 2024
Cyprus
2024 Edition — sovereign
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Communications
Broadband - fixed subscriptions
[time series]
total: 332,080 (2020 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 37 (2020 est.)
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 7 privately owned TV and 21 radio broadcast stations plus 6 radio and 4 TV channels of local universities, plus 1 radio station of military, security forces and 1 radio station of civil defense cooperation, as well as relay stations from Turkey (2019)
Internet country code
[time series]
.cy
Internet users
[time series]
total: 809,900 (2021 est.) percent of population: 91% (2021 est.)
Telecommunication systems
[time series]
general assessment: Cyprus suffered from the effects of the pandemic in 2020 and 2021, when the tourism sector was essentially closed; during 2022, there were adverse effects caused by Russia s invasion of Ukraine, which has resulted in a dramatic drop in the number of Russian tourists entering the country; the mobile market is served by four mobile network operators; the number of mobile subscribers fell in 2020, largely the result of subscribers scaling back on multiple SIM cards as an economic measure; the broadband market continues to develop steadily, providing the country with one of the highest broadband penetration rates in the region; DSL remains the dominant access platform, accounting for about two-thirds of fixed broadband connections; although fiber infrastructure in Cyprus is minimal (supported by the government and regulator) to extend an FttP service to about 200,000 premises; as a result, the number of DSL subscribers is set to fall steadily in coming years as customers are migrated to the fiber platform (2023) domestic: fixed-line about 34 per 100 and about 149 per 100 for mobile-cellular teledensity (2021) 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, CADMOS, MedNautilus Submarine System, POSEIDON, TE North/TGN-Eurasia/SEACOM/Alexandros/Medes, UGARIT, Aphrodite2, Hawk, Lev Submarine System, and Tamares combine to provide connectivity to Europe, the Middle East, Africa, Asia, Australia, and Southeast Asia; Turcyos-1 and Turcyos-2 submarine cable in Turkish North Cyprus link to Turkey; tropospheric scatter; satellite earth stations - 8 (3 Intelsat - 1 Atlantic Ocean and 2 Indian Ocean, 2 Eutelsat, 2 Intersputnik, and 1 Arabsat) (2019)
Telephones - fixed lines
[time series]
total subscriptions: 297,000 (2022 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 34 (2021 est.)
Telephones - mobile cellular
[time series]
total subscriptions: 1.392 million (2022 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 149 (2021 est.)
Economy
Agricultural products
[time series]
milk, potatoes, sheep milk, pork, goat milk, wheat, chicken, barley, grapes, olives (2022) note: top ten agricultural products based on tonnage
Budget
[time series]
revenues: $11.644 billion (2022 est.) expenditures: $10.765 billion (2022 est.) note: central government revenues (excluding grants) and expenses converted to US dollars at average official exchange rate for year indicated
Credit ratings
[time series]
Fitch rating: BBB- (2018) Moody's rating: Ba2 (2018) Standard & Poors rating: BBB- (2018) note: The year refers to the year in which the current credit rating was first obtained.
Current account balance
[time series]
-$3.886 billion (2023 est.) -$2.357 billion (2022 est.) -$1.812 billion (2021 est.) note: balance of payments - net trade and primary/secondary income in current dollars
Economic overview
[time series]
services-based, high-income EU island economy; heavy tourism; sustained growth between recovery of national banking system and COVID-19 trade restrictions; high living standards; a known financial hub, its stock exchange functions as an investment bridge between EU-and EEU-member countries note: 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, until political conditions permit the reunification of the island. Its market-based economy 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. Manufacturing is limited mainly to food and beverages, furniture and fixtures, construction materials, metal and non-metal products, textiles and clothing. Little trade exists with the Republic of Cyprus outside of construction, historically relying heavily upon Turkey for financial aid, defense, telecommunications, utilities, and postal services. The Turkish Lira is the preferred currency, though foreign currencies are widely accepted in business transactions.
Exchange rates
[time series]
euros (EUR) per US dollar - 0.925 (2023 est.) 0.95 (2022 est.) 0.845 (2021 est.) 0.876 (2020 est.) 0.893 (2019 est.)
Exports
[time series]
$28.808 billion (2023 est.) $27.72 billion (2022 est.) $26.303 billion (2021 est.) note: balance of payments - exports of goods and services in current dollars
Exports - commodities
[time series]
ships, refined petroleum, packaged medicine, cheese, scented mixtures (2022) note: top five export commodities based on value in dollars
Exports - partners
[time series]
Hong Kong 10%, Greece 10%, Lebanon 7%, UK 6%, Liberia 5% (2022) note: top five export partners based on percentage share of exports
GDP (official exchange rate)
[time series]
$32.23 billion (2023 est.) note: data in current dollars at official exchange rate
GDP - composition, by end use
[time series]
household consumption: 59.9% (2023 est.) government consumption: 19.1% (2023 est.) investment in fixed capital: 22.1% (2023 est.) investment in inventories: -0.2% (2023 est.) exports of goods and services: 89.4% (2023 est.) imports of goods and services: -90.3% (2023 est.) note: figures may not total 100% due to rounding or gaps in data collection
GDP - composition, by sector of origin
[time series]
agriculture: 1.6% (2023 est.) industry: 12.2% (2023 est.) services: 74% (2023 est.) note: figures may not total 100% due to non-allocated consumption not captured in sector-reported data
Gini Index coefficient - distribution of family income
[time series]
31.3 (2021 est.) note: index (0-100) of income distribution; higher values represent greater inequality
Household income or consumption by percentage share
[time series]
lowest 10%: 3.5% (2021 est.) highest 10%: 25.7% (2021 est.) note: % share of income accruing to lowest and highest 10% of population
Imports
[time series]
$29.091 billion (2023 est.) $27.658 billion (2022 est.) $25.164 billion (2021 est.) note: balance of payments - imports of goods and services in current dollars
Imports - commodities
[time series]
refined petroleum, ships, cars, packaged medicine, garments (2022) note: top five import commodities based on value in dollars
Imports - partners
[time series]
Greece 19%, Turkey 12%, Italy 9%, China 9%, Israel 5% (2022) note: top five import partners based on percentage share of imports
Industrial production growth rate
[time series]
3.16% (2023 est.) note: annual % change in industrial value added based on constant local currency
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 note: area administered by Turkish Cypriots - foodstuffs, textiles, clothing, ship repair, clay, gypsum, copper, furniture
Inflation rate (consumer prices)
[time series]
3.54% (2023 est.) 8.4% (2022 est.) 2.45% (2021 est.) note: annual % change based on consumer prices
Labor force
[time series]
693,000 (2023 est.) note: number of people ages 15 or older who are employed or seeking work
Population below poverty line
[time series]
13.9% (2021 est.) note: % of population with income below national poverty line
Public debt
[time series]
97.5% of GDP (2017 est.) note: data cover general government debt and include 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 intragovernmental debt; intragovernmental debt consists of treasury borrowings from surpluses in the social funds, such as for retirement, medical care, and unemployment
Real GDP (purchasing power parity)
[time series]
$46.976 billion (2023 est.) $45.845 billion (2022 est.) $43.637 billion (2021 est.) note: data in 2021 dollars
Real GDP growth rate
[time series]
2.47% (2023 est.) 5.06% (2022 est.) 9.91% (2021 est.) note: annual GDP % growth based on constant local currency
Real GDP per capita
[time series]
$50,600 (2023 est.) $50,200 (2022 est.) $48,500 (2021 est.) note: data in 2021 dollars
Remittances
[time series]
1.86% of GDP (2023 est.) 1.79% of GDP (2022 est.) 2.13% of GDP (2021 est.) note: personal transfers and compensation between resident and non-resident individuals/households/entities
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold
[time series]
$1.789 billion (2023 est.) $1.671 billion (2022 est.) $1.611 billion (2021 est.) note: holdings of gold (year-end prices)/foreign exchange/special drawing rights in current dollars
Taxes and other revenues
[time series]
24.71% (of GDP) (2022 est.) note: central government tax revenue as a % of GDP
Unemployment rate
[time series]
5.96% (2023 est.) 6.81% (2022 est.) 7.51% (2021 est.) note: % of labor force seeking employment
Youth unemployment rate (ages 15-24)
[time series]
total: 17.5% (2023 est.) male: 19.6% (2023 est.) female: 15.1% (2023 est.) note: % of labor force ages 15-24 seeking employment
Energy
Carbon dioxide emissions
[time series]
6.713 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2022 est.) from coal and metallurgical coke: 118,000 metric tonnes of CO2 (2022 est.) from petroleum and other liquids: 6.595 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2022 est.)
Coal
[time series]
consumption: 53,000 metric tons (2022 est.) exports: 71.6 metric tons (2022 est.) imports: 78,000 metric tons (2022 est.)
Electricity
[time series]
installed generating capacity: 2.145 million kW (2022 est.) consumption: 5.024 billion kWh (2022 est.) transmission/distribution losses: 236.617 million kWh (2022 est.)
Electricity access
[time series]
electrification - total population: 100% (2022 est.)
Electricity generation sources
[time series]
fossil fuels: 83.3% of total installed capacity (2022 est.) solar: 11.5% of total installed capacity (2022 est.) wind: 4.3% of total installed capacity (2022 est.) biomass and waste: 1% of total installed capacity (2022 est.)
Energy consumption per capita
[time series]
106.317 million Btu/person (2022 est.)
Petroleum
[time series]
refined petroleum consumption: 45,000 bbl/day (2022 est.)
Environment
Air pollutants
[time series]
particulate matter emissions: 14.52 micrograms per cubic meter (2019 est.) carbon dioxide emissions: 6.63 megatons (2016 est.) methane emissions: 0.86 megatons (2020 est.)
Climate
[time series]
temperate; Mediterranean with hot, dry summers and cool winters
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, industrial wastes, and pesticides; coastal degradation; erosion; loss of wildlife habitats from urbanization
International environmental agreements
(Environment - international agreements)
[time series]
party to: Air Pollution, Air Pollution-Heavy Metals, Air Pollution-Multi-effect Protocol, Air Pollution-Nitrogen Oxides, Air Pollution-Persistent Organic Pollutants, Air Pollution-Sulphur 94, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Climate Change-Paris Agreement, Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping-London Convention, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 2006, Wetlands, Whaling signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements
Geoparks
[time series]
total global geoparks and regional networks: 1 global geoparks and regional networks: Troodos (2023)
Land use
[time series]
agricultural land: 13.4% (2018 est.) arable land: 9.8% (2018 est.) permanent crops: 3.2% (2018 est.) permanent pasture: 0.4% (2018 est.) forest: 18.8% (2018 est.) other: 67.8% (2018 est.)
Revenue from coal
[time series]
0% of GDP (2018 est.)
Revenue from forest resources
[time series]
0% of GDP (2018 est.)
Total renewable water resources
[time series]
780 million cubic meters (2020 est.)
Total water withdrawal
[time series]
municipal: 100 million cubic meters (2020 est.) industrial: 20 million cubic meters (2020 est.) agricultural: 170 million cubic meters (2020 est.)
Urbanization
[time series]
urban population: 67% of total population (2023) rate of urbanization: 0.76% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.)
Waste and recycling
[time series]
municipal solid waste generated annually: 541,000 tons (2015 est.) municipal solid waste recycled annually: 72,007 tons (2015 est.) percent of municipal solid waste recycled: 13.3% (2015 est.)
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
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
[time series]
highest point: Mount Olympus 1,951 m lowest point: Mediterranean Sea 0 m mean elevation: 91 m
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); several small Cypriot enclaves exist within the Dhekelia Sovereign Base Area
Irrigated land
[time series]
268 sq km (2020)
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% (2018 est.) arable land: 9.8% (2018 est.) permanent crops: 3.2% (2018 est.) permanent pasture: 0.4% (2018 est.) forest: 18.8% (2018 est.) other: 67.8% (2018 est.)
Location
[time series]
Middle East, island in the Mediterranean Sea, south of Turkey; note - Cyprus views itself as part of Europe; geopolitically, it can be classified as falling within Europe, the Middle East, or both
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
Population distribution
[time series]
population concentrated in central Nicosia and in the major cities of the south: Paphos, Limassol, and Larnaca
Terrain
[time series]
central plain with mountains to north and south; scattered but significant plains along southern coast
Government
Administrative divisions
[time series]
6 districts; Ammochostos (Famagusta; all but a small part located in the Turkish Cypriot community), Keryneia (Kyrenia; the only district located entirely in the Turkish Cypriot community), Larnaka (Larnaca; with a small part located in the Turkish Cypriot community), Lefkosia (Nicosia; a small part administered by Turkish Cypriots), Lemesos (Limassol), Pafos (Paphos); note - the 5 "districts" of the "Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus" are Gazimagusa (Famagusta), Girne (Kyrenia), Guzelyurt (Morphou), Iskele (Trikomo), Lefkosa (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 etymology: a mispronunciation of the city's Greek name Lefkosia and its Turkish name Lefkosa, both of which mean "White City"; the Greek name may derive from the Greek phrase "leuke ousia" ("white estate")
Citizenship
[time series]
citizenship by birth: no citizenship by descent only: at least one parent must be a citizen of Cyprus dual citizenship recognized: yes residency requirement for naturalization: 7 years
Constitution
[time series]
history: 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 amendments: constitution of the Republic of Cyprus - proposed by the House of Representatives; passage requires at least two-thirds majority vote of the total membership of the "Greek Community" and the "Turkish Community"; however, all seats of Turkish Cypriot members have remained vacant since 1964; amended many times, last in 2020; constitution of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus - proposed by at least 10 members of the "Assembly of the Republic"; passage requires at least two-thirds majority vote of the total Assembly membership and approval by referendum; amended 2014
Country name
[time series]
conventional long form: Republic of Cyprus conventional short form: Cyprus local long form: Kypriaki Dimokratia (Greek)/ Kibris Cumhuriyeti (Turkish) local short form: Kypros (Greek)/ Kibris (Turkish) etymology: the derivation of the name "Cyprus" is unknown, but the extensive mining of copper metal on the island in antiquity gave rise to the Latin word "cuprum" for copper 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 Julie D. FISHER (since 21 February 2023) embassy: Metochiou and Ploutarchou Street, 2407, Engomi, Nicosia mailing address: 5450 Nicosia Place, Washington DC 20521-5450 telephone: [357] (22) 393939 FAX: [357] (22) 780944 email address and website: ACSNicosia@state.gov https://cy.usembassy.gov/
Diplomatic representation in the US
[time series]
chief of mission: Ambassador Evangelos SAVVA (since 15 September 2023) chancery: 2211 R Street NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: [1] (202) 462-5772 FAX: [1] (202) 483-6710 email address and website: info@cyprusembassy.net https://www.cyprusembassy.net/ consulate(s) general: New York honorary consulate(s): Atlanta, Chicago, Houston, Kirkland (WA), Los Angeles, New Orleans, San Francisco
Executive branch
[time series]
chief of state: President Nikos CHRISTODOULIDIS (since 28 February 2023) head of government: President Nikos CHRISTODOULIDIS (since 28 February 2023) 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 (limited to 2 consecutive terms); election last held on held 5 February 2023 with a runoff on 12 February 2023 (next to be held in 2028) election results: 2023: Nikos CHRISTODOULIDIS elected president in second round; percent of vote in first round - Nikos CHRISTODOULIDIS (independent) 32%, Andreas MAVROGIANNIS (independent) 29.6%, Averof NEOFYTOU (DISY) 26.1%, Christos CHRISTOU (ELAM) 6%, other 6.3%; percent of vote in second round - Nikos CHRISTODOULIDS 52%, Andreas MAVROGIANNIS 48% 2018: Nikos ANASTASIADIS reelected president in second round; percent of vote in first round - Nikos ANASTASIADIS (DISY) 35.5%, Stavros MALAS (AKEL) 30.2%, Nicolas PAPADOPOULOS (DIKO) 25.7%, other 8.6%; percent of vote in second round - Nikos ANASTASIADIS 56%, Stavros MALAS 44% note: vice presidency reserved for a Turkish Cypriot, but the post has been vacant since 1974 because Turkish Cypriots do not participate in the Republic of Cyprus Government
Flag
(Flag description)
[time series]
centered on a white field is a copper-colored silhouette of the island (the island has long been famous for its copper deposits) above two olive-green-colored, crossed olive branches; the branches symbolize the hope for peace and reconciliation between the Greek and Turkish communities note: one of only two national flags that uses a map as a design element; the flag of Kosovo is the other 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 of Cyprus - presidential republic; self-declared "Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus" (TRNC) - parliamentary republic with enhanced presidency note: a separation of the two main ethnic communities inhabiting the island began following the outbreak of communal strife in 1963; this separation was further solidified when a Greek military-junta-supported coup attempt prompted the Turkish military intervention in July 1974 that gave the Turkish Cypriots de facto control in the north; Greek Cypriots control the only internationally recognized government on the island; on 15 November 1983, then Turkish Cypriot "President" Rauf DENKTAS declared independence and the formation of the "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, UNOOSA, 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 "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 can serve until age 68; "TRNC Supreme Court" judges appointed by the "Supreme Council of Judicature," a 12-member body of judges, the attorney general, appointees by the president of the "TRNC," and by the "Legislative Assembly," and members elected by the bar association; judge tenure NA subordinate courts: Republic of Cyprus district courts; Assize Courts; Administrative Court; specialized courts for issues relating to family, industrial disputes, the 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; note - 3 seats each are reserved for the Latin, Maronite, and Armenian religious groups; area administered by Turkish Cypriots: unicameral "Assembly of the Republic" or Cumhuriyet Meclisi (50 seats; members directly elected in multi-seat constituencies by proportional representation vote using a hybrid d'Hondt method with voter preference for individual candidates elections: area under government control; last held on 30 May 2021 (next to be held in 2026); area administered by Turkish Cypriots: last held on 23 January 2022 (next to be held in 2027) election results: area under government control: House of Representatives - percent of vote by party/coalition - DISY 27.8%, AKEL 22.3%, DIKO 11.3%, ELAM 6.8%, EDEK-SP 6.7%, DIPA 6.1%, Movement of Ecologists - Citizens' Cooperation 4.4%, other 14.6%; seats by party/coalition - DISY 17, AKEL 15, DIKO 9, ELAM 4, EDEK-SP 4, DIPA 4, Movement of Ecologists - Citizens' Cooperation 3; composition - men 48, women 8, percent of women 14.3% area administered by Turkish Cypriots - "Assembly of the Republic" - percent of vote by party - UBP 39.5%, CTP 32%, DP 7.4%, HP 6.7%, YDP 6.4%, other 8%; seats by party - UBP 24, CTP 18, DP 3, HP 3, YDP 2; composition NA note: the area of Cyprus that Turkish Cypriots administer has a separate unicameral Assembly of the Republic, or Cumhuriyet Meclisi (50 seats); members are directly elected in multi-seat constituencies by proportional representation vote
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 Cypriot community in Cyprus uses the anthem of Turkey
National heritage
[time series]
total World Heritage Sites: 3 (all cultural) selected World Heritage Site locales: Paphos ; Painted Churches in the Troodos Region; Choirokoitia
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
[time series]
area under government control: Democratic Front or DIPA Democratic Party or DIKO Democratic Rally or DISY Movement of Ecologists - Citizens' Alliance Movement of Social Democrats EDEK National Popular Front or ELAM Progressive Party of the Working People or AKEL (Communist Party) Solidarity Movement area administered by Turkish Cypriots: Communal Democracy Party or TDP Communal Liberation Party - New Forces or TKP-YG Cyprus Socialist Party or KSP Democratic Party or DP National Democratic Party or NDP National Unity Party or UBP New Cyprus Party or YKP People's Party or HP Rebirth Party or YDP Republican Turkish Party or CTP United Cyprus Party or BKP
Suffrage
[time series]
18 years of age; universal
Introduction
Background
[time series]
A former British colony, Cyprus became independent in 1960 after 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 and forced 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. A UN-mediated agreement to reunite Cyprus, the Annan Plan, failed to win approval from both communities in 2004. The most recent round of reunification negotiations was suspended in 2017 after failure to achieve a breakthrough. The entire island joined the EU in 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 TRNC. However, individual Turkish Cypriots able to document their eligibility for Republic of Cyprus citizenship have the same legal rights accorded to citizens of other EU states.
Military and Security
Military - note
[time series]
established in 1964, the National Guard (EF) is responsible for ensuring Cyprus s territorial integrity and sovereignty; its primary focus is Turkey, which invaded Cyprus in 1974 and maintains a large military presence in the unrecognized Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus; the majority of the force is deployed along the Green Line that separates the Greek Cypriots from the Turkish Cypriots; the EF also participates in some internal missions, such as providing assistance during natural disasters; Greece is its main security partner and maintains about 1,000 troops on Cyprus; the EF has conducted training exercises with other militaries including France, Israel, and the US; since Cyprus joined the EU in 2004, the EF has actively participated in the EU s Common Security and Defense Policy and has sent small numbers of personnel to some EU and missions; Cyprus is also part of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (2024)
Military and security forces
[time series]
Republic of Cyprus: Cypriot National Guard (Ethniki Froura, EF; includes Army Land Forces, Naval Command, Air Command) (2024)
Military and security service personnel strengths
[time series]
approximately 12-15,000 active-duty personnel (2024)
Military equipment inventories and acquisitions
[time series]
the military's inventory includes a large quantity of Russian and Soviet-era weapons and equipment along with a smaller mix of mostly older Brazilian, European, Israeli, and US armaments; in 2023, Cyprus announced a 5-year modernization program to replace its Russian-made weapon systems with modern equipment from the West; the country had been under an arms embargo by the US since 1987 but the embargo was lifted in 2022 with conditions that require certifying each year (2024)
Military expenditures
[time series]
1.8% of GDP (2023 est.) 1.8% of GDP (2022) 1.8% of GDP (2021) 1.8% of GDP (2020) 1.6% of GDP (2019)
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; 14-month service obligation (2023) note: the CNG accepts all foreign nationals of at least partial Cypriot descent under age 32 as volunteers; dual citizenship Cypriot origin citizens, who were born in Cyprus or abroad, have the obligation to serve in the CNG on repatriation, regardless of whether or not they possess a foreign citizenship; a person is considered as having Cypriot origin where a grandparent or parent was/is a Cypriot citizen
People and Society
Age structure
[time series]
0-14 years: 15.6% (male 105,533/female 100,099) 15-64 years: 70% (male 486,569/female 437,651) 65 years and over: 14.4% (2024 est.) (male 83,094/female 107,579)
Alcohol consumption per capita
[time series]
total: 9.59 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.) beer: 2.85 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.) wine: 2.72 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.) spirits: 4.02 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.) other alcohols: 0 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)
Birth rate
[time series]
10.2 births/1,000 population (2024 est.)
Children under the age of 5 years underweight
[time series]
NA
Contraceptive prevalence rate
[time series]
NA
Current health expenditure
[time series]
8.1% of GDP (2020)
Currently married women (ages 15-49)
[time series]
54.5% (2023 est.)
Death rate
[time series]
7 deaths/1,000 population (2024 est.)
Dependency ratios
[time series]
total dependency ratio: 43.8 youth dependency ratio: 23 elderly dependency ratio: 20.8 potential support ratio: 4.8 (2021 est.) note: data represent the whole country
Drinking water source
[time series]
improved: urban: 99.7% of population rural: 99.8% of population total: 99.8% of population unimproved: urban: 0.3% of population rural: 0.2% of population total: 0.2% of population (2020 est.)
Education expenditure
(Education expenditures)
[time series]
6.1% of GDP (2020 est.)
Ethnic groups
[time series]
Greek 98.8%, other 1% (includes Maronite, Armenian, Turkish-Cypriot), unspecified 0.2% (2011 est.) note: data represent only the Greek-Cypriot citizens in the Republic of Cyprus
Gross reproduction rate
[time series]
0.73 (2024 est.)
Hospital bed density
[time series]
3.4 beds/1,000 population (2017)
Infant mortality rate
[time series]
total: 8.1 deaths/1,000 live births (2024 est.) male: 9.7 deaths/1,000 live births female: 6.4 deaths/1,000 live births
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%, Filipino 1.1%, other 4.3%, unspecified 0.6% (2011 est.) major-language sample(s): ό ί έ , ί ή ώ ώ . (Greek) The World Factbook, the indispensable source for basic information. note: data represent only the Republic of Cyprus
Life expectancy at birth
[time series]
total population: 80.2 years (2024 est.) male: 77.4 years female: 83.1 years
Literacy
[time series]
definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 99.4% male: 99.6% female: 99.2% (2021)
Major urban areas - population
[time series]
269,000 NICOSIA (capital) (2018)
Maternal mortality ratio
[time series]
68 deaths/100,000 live births (2020 est.)
Median age
[time series]
total: 39.5 years (2024 est.) male: 38.2 years female: 41 years
Mother's mean age at first birth
[time series]
30 years (2020 est.) note: data represents only government-controlled areas
Nationality
[time series]
noun: Cypriot(s) adjective: Cypriot
Net migration rate
[time series]
6.3 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2024 est.)
Obesity - adult prevalence rate
[time series]
21.8% (2016)
People - note
[time series]
demographic data for Cyprus represent the population of the government-controlled area and the area administered by Turkish Cypriots, unless otherwise indicated
Physician density
[time series]
3.14 physicians/1,000 population (2019)
Population
[time series]
total: 1,320,525 male: 675,196 female: 645,329 (2024 est.)
Population distribution
[time series]
population concentrated in central Nicosia and in the major cities of the south: Paphos, Limassol, and Larnaca
Population growth rate
[time series]
0.95% (2024 est.)
Religions
[time series]
Eastern Orthodox Christian 89.1%, Roman Catholic 2.9%, Protestant/Anglican 2%, Muslim 1.8%, Buddhist 1%, other (includes Maronite Catholic, Armenian Apostolic, Hindu) 1.4%, unknown 1.1%, none/atheist 0.6% (2011 est.) note: data represent only the government-controlled area of Cyprus
Sanitation facility access
[time series]
improved: urban: 99.7% of population rural: 98.8% of population total: 99.4% of population unimproved: urban: 0.3% of population rural: 1.2% of population total: 0.6% of population (2020 est.)
School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education)
[time series]
total: 16 years male: 16 years female: 16 years (2020)
Sex ratio
[time series]
at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female 0-14 years: 1.05 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1.11 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.77 male(s)/female total population: 1.05 male(s)/female (2024 est.)
Tobacco use
[time series]
total: 35.1% (2020 est.) male: 47% (2020 est.) female: 23.2% (2020 est.)
Total fertility rate
[time series]
1.49 children born/woman (2024 est.)
Urbanization
[time series]
urban population: 67% of total population (2023) rate of urbanization: 0.76% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.)
Terrorism
Terrorist group(s)
[time series]
Islamic State of Iraq and ash-Sham (ISIS) note: details about the history, aims, leadership, organization, areas of operation, tactics, targets, weapons, size, and sources of support of the group(s) appear(s) in the Terrorism reference guide
Transnational Issues
Illicit drugs
[time series]
the ROC financial system is vulnerable to money laundering by domestic and foreign criminals; proceeds generated by illicit activity abroad pose a greater threat; primary sources of illicit proceeds are investment fraud, corruption, advance fee fraud, tax evasion, illegal drugs, and tobacco smuggling. Additionally, cybercrime, especially phishing, e-mail hacking, and ransomware use, continues to increase. Criminals have reportedly used ROC banks to launder proceeds, particularly from Russian and Ukrainian illicit activity.
Refugees and internally displaced persons
[time series]
refugees (country of origin): 10,869 (Syria) (mid-year 2022); 17,270 (Ukraine) (as of 11 February 2024) IDPs: 246,000 (both Turkish and Greek Cypriots; many displaced since 1974) (2022) stateless persons: 74 (2022) note: 55,098 estimated refugee and migrant arrivals (January 2015-August 2023)
Transportation
Airports
[time series]
13 (2024)
Civil aircraft registration country code prefix
[time series]
5B
Heliports
[time series]
69 (2024)
Merchant marine
[time series]
total: 1,005 (2023) by type: bulk carrier 243, container ship 154, general cargo 211, oil tanker 47, other 350
National air transport system
[time series]
number of registered air carriers: 2 (2020) inventory of registered aircraft operated by air carriers: 6 annual passenger traffic on registered air carriers: 401,408 (2018) annual freight traffic on registered air carriers: 20,000 (2018) mt-km
Ports
[time series]
total ports: 6 (2024) large: 0 medium: 0 small: 3 very small: 3 ports with oil terminals: 4 key ports: Dhekelia, Famagusta, Kyrenia, Larnaca, Limassol, Xeros
Roadways
[time series]
total: 13,027 km (2022) Turkish Cypriot control: 7,000 km (2011)