Overview Of A Resilient Labor Market
Cyprus recorded 13,905 job vacancies in the first quarter of 2026, corresponding to an overall vacancy rate of 2.8%, according to the Cyprus Statistical Service (Cystat). Demand for workers remained particularly strong in services, construction and tourism-related activities.
Key Sectors Driving Job Growth
Arts, entertainment and recreation recorded the highest vacancy rate at 5.1%, followed by construction at 4.7% and accommodation and food service activities at 4.0%. In absolute terms, wholesale and retail trade accounted for the largest number of vacancies, with 2,649 open positions. Accommodation and food services followed with 2,189 vacancies, while construction registered 1,997 openings.
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Diverse Industry Analysis
Professional, scientific and technical activities reported 1,086 vacancies, while public administration and defence, including compulsory social security, recorded 922 openings. Manufacturing accounted for 905 vacancies, followed by administrative and support service activities with 668. Education registered 589 vacancies and transportation and storage 567, while arts, entertainment and recreation reported 547 openings.
Information and communication activities recorded 530 vacancies, corresponding to a vacancy rate of 2.4%. Lower vacancy rates were observed in sectors such as real estate, financial and insurance activities and other service industries. Financial and insurance activities, for example, reported 225 vacancies and a vacancy rate of 0.9%.
Understanding Vacancy Rates And Their Implications
Significant differences were observed across industries. Vacancy rates were highest in arts, entertainment and recreation, construction and accommodation activities, while wholesale and retail trade and administrative services also recorded relatively elevated levels at 3.5% and 3.0%, respectively. By contrast, sectors including electricity supply, publishing and financial and insurance activities reported considerably lower rates. These figures provide an indication of where labor demand remains strongest and where shortages may be more pronounced.
Methodology And Economic Outlook
Cystat defines a job vacancy as a paid position that is newly created, unoccupied or expected to become vacant, for which employers are actively seeking external candidates either immediately or within a specified period. Calculated as the proportion of vacancies relative to the total number of occupied positions and vacancies, the job vacancy rate provides an indicator of labor demand across the economy.
