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Employment Growth And Rising Earnings: Cyprus Q2 2025 Performance

Robust Increase In Employment

Cyprus recorded a notable 1.8 per cent rise in employment in the second quarter of 2025 compared to the same period in 2024. Provisional figures from the Statistical Service (Cystat) indicate that total employment reached 508,291, comprising 455,484 employees and 52,807 self-employed individuals. Key sectors driving this expansion include information and communication, wholesale and retail trade, and accommodation and food service activities.

Operational Hours Surge

The economic momentum was further underscored by a 2.2 per cent year-on-year increase in actual hours worked, totaling 236,196. This growth in labor input was predominantly concentrated in the same sectors that experienced significant employment gains, highlighting their critical role in the local economy.

Rising Earnings Signal Economic Resilience

In addition to employment gains, Cyprus observed a 5.4 per cent increase in average gross monthly earnings in the first quarter of 2025. Earnings climbed to €2,509 from €2,382 a year earlier, with seasonally adjusted data reflecting a 1.4 per cent rise from the fourth quarter of 2024. Male employees averaged €2,689 while female employees averaged €2,284, marking annual increases of 5.2 per cent and 5.5 per cent respectively.

Labour Market Stability Amid Fluctuating Unemployment

Despite two consecutive monthly increases in registered unemployment—rising to 11,556 by the end of August 2025 with a seasonally adjusted figure of 10,225—the overall unemployment rate declined by 4.3 per cent compared with August 2024. Further reinforcing this trend, Eurostat data placed Cyprus’ jobless rate at 5 per cent in July, comfortably below the euro area average of 6.2 per cent.

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

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.

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.

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