New data from Eurostat show that Cyprus recorded one of the strongest youth employment rates in the European Union in 2025. Employment among individuals aged 20–29 reached 72.3%, compared with the EU average of 65.6%, indicating relatively strong labor market participation among young people.
Strong Performance In Youth Employment
The gap of 6.7 percentage points above the EU average reflects sustained labor market activity among younger age groups. Data suggest that Cyprus continues to absorb young workers into employment at a higher rate than many EU peers, supported by service-driven sectors and tourism-related activity.
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Entrepreneurial Spirit Among Cyprus Youth
Self-employment among young people remains limited but present. Around 3.8% of Cypriots aged 20–29 are self-employed. Across all age groups (20–64), the number of self-employed individuals reached approximately 41,400. While the share is relatively small, it points to gradual participation in entrepreneurial activity.
European Comparison: Self-Employment And Employment Rates
Across the EU, around 2.06 million individuals aged 20–29 were self-employed in 2025, representing 7.9% of the total self-employed population aged 20–64. Compared with these figures, Cyprus shows stronger performance in employment rather than self-employment, reflecting differences in labor market structure.
Leading Countries And Regional Variations
Self-employment rates vary significantly across member states. Slovakia (12.2%), Malta (10.5%), and Romania (10.3%) recorded the highest shares of young self-employed individuals. Ireland, Bulgaria, and Spain reported lower levels.
In terms of employment, the EU youth employment rate increased by 6.3 percentage points since 2015. The Netherlands (84%), Malta (82.1%), and Germany (77%) recorded the highest levels, while Italy (47.6%), Romania (52%), and Bulgaria (52.7%) remained lower.
Celebrating Creativity and Innovation
The release of these statistics coincided with the Global Creativity and Innovation Day on April 21, reinforcing the critical role of creative thinking and innovative practices in driving economic and social progress across European nations.







