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Cyprus Sees Steady Improvement in Holiday Affordability, Yet One in Three Remains Impacted

by THEFUTURE.TEAM

July 17, 2025

Improved Financial Accessibility for Annual Getaways

Recent Eurostat data reveals that approximately 33.2% of Cypriots aged 16 and over are unable to finance a one-week holiday away from home in 2024. This figure, while improved from past years, underscores ongoing challenges as the island continues to register above the EU average. The reported decline from 45% in 2019 and 58.9% in 2014 points to a decade of slow but steady progress in holiday affordability.

Comparative Analysis Across the European Union

On a broader scale, 27% of residents across EU member states reported being unable to afford an annual break last year. This improvement—a drop of 1.5 percentage points from 2023 and a significant decrease from 2014—reflects broader economic recovery trends across much of the European bloc. However, disparities remain striking. Countries such as Romania (58.6%), Greece (46%), and Bulgaria (41.4%) continue to face harsher conditions, whereas Luxembourg (8.9%), Sweden (11.6%), and the Netherlands (13%) report considerably lower rates of holiday deprivation.

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Ongoing Challenges and Future Outlook

Although Cyprus has moved away from the worst performers in the region, the latest figures show that one in three Cypriots still cannot afford even a modest annual escape. The significant decline of 13.9 percentage points between 2014 and 2019 marked an important turnaround for the island, yet progress has decelerated since then. Stakeholders must now address the underlying economic challenges to ensure a more robust recovery in consumer spending on leisure activities.

Conclusion

The data reinforces the need for targeted economic policies to further bolster consumer confidence and disposable income. As the EU continues its gradual recovery, the example of Cyprus serves as a critical case study on the dual challenges of economic growth and equitable access to leisure opportunities.

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FinTech’s Dominance In MENA: Three Strategic Drivers Behind Unyielding VC Success

by THEFUTURE.TEAM

September 11, 2025

Despite facing tightening global liquidity and macroeconomic headwinds, the FinTech sector continues to assert its leadership in the MENA region. In the first half of 2025, FinTech emerged as the most resilient and appealing arena for venture capital investments, proving its worth as a catalyst for financial innovation and inclusion.

Addressing Structural Financial Gaps

In many parts of MENA, a significant proportion of the population remains underbanked and underserved by traditional financial institutions. FinTech companies are uniquely positioned to address these persistent challenges by bridging critical access gaps and driving financial inclusion. With the proliferation of payment apps, digital wallets, and micro-lending platforms, investors have witnessed firsthand how these solutions pave the way for scalable growth and eventual exits. Early-stage momentum in the region is underscored by a doubling of pre-seed deals year-over-year, reinforcing the sector’s capacity for rapid innovation and sustainable expansion.

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Highly Scalable and Replicable Business Models

One of the key factors behind FinTech’s dominance is the inherent scalability of its business models. Once the necessary infrastructure and regulatory approvals are in place, these models have demonstrated robust performance across borders. The first half of 2025 saw a marked acceleration in deal activity, with payment solutions leading the charge with 28 deals in MENA—a significant increase over the previous year. Lending platforms, in particular, experienced a meteoric 500% year-over-year increase in funding, emerging as the fastest-growing subindustry. Such replicability makes FinTech an attractive proposition for investors seeking high-growth opportunities in diverse markets.

Supportive Regulatory And Government Backing

The strategic support offered by key government initiatives in the UAE and Saudi Arabia has been instrumental in propelling the FinTech sector forward. Progressive frameworks, such as the UAE’s open finance and digital asset directives, coupled with Saudi Arabia’s live-testing sandboxes, have materially lowered entry barriers for startups. These measures not only foster innovation but also streamline the path to commercialization. Consequently, the combined efforts of these regulatory bodies have enabled the UAE and Saudi Arabia to account for 86% of MENA’s total FinTech funding in H1 2025.

The resilience of FinTech in MENA is not merely a reflection of contemporary market trends—it signals a fundamental shift in the region’s economic fabric. With an unwavering commitment to addressing real financial challenges, scalable and replicable business practices, and robust regulatory support, FinTech is setting the benchmark for sustainable innovation. As capital markets become increasingly discerning, this sector stands out as a beacon of long-term growth and transformative impact.