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Percentage of Cypriots using e-government services dropped to 66% in 2023

by THEFUTURE.TEAM

September 25, 2024

In 2023, Cyprus was among the EU’s member states with the lowest percentage of citizens interacting with public authorities online (66%), staying close to the average of the EU (69%).

This figure was significantly higher than the country with the lowest score (Romania, 23%) but significantly lower than the highest scoring country (Denmark, 98%), according to data released by Eurostat, the statistical service of the EU.

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The data shows a significant reduction compared to 2022, when the share for Cyprus stood at 90%. During the same period, there was a small increase in the EU level from 68% to 69%.

The data captures the share of EU citizens aged 16-74 that have used a website or an app of a public authority in the preceding 12 months.

The share varied greatly among EU countries, with the highest shares recorded in Denmark (98%), Finland, the Netherlands and Sweden (all 95%). In contrast, the lowest shares were recorded in Romania (23%), Bulgaria (30%) and Germany (58%).

Looking at the different e-government activities in more detail reveals that, in 2023, 42% of people in the EU used e-government services in the previous 12 months to obtain information about services, benefits, laws, opening hours or similar. This was followed by the downloading or printing of official forms (40%), the accessing of personal information (39%), and the making of an appointment or a reservation and receiving official communication or documents (37% for both).

The share of individuals who submitted tax declarations online was somewhat lower at 29%. Similarly, the figures for accessing public databases or registers were 19%, while 18% of people requested official documents or certificates and 17% requested benefits or entitlements online.

In Cyprus, the activity with the largest share was obtaining information about services, benefits, laws, opening hours et cetera (50%), accessing personal information (43%), downloading or printing official forms (31%), requesting benefits or entitlements online (28%) and the accessing of public databases or registers (25%).

These were followed by submitting tax declarations online (23%), requesting official documents or certificates (22%), receiving official communication or documents (19%) and making appointments or reservations (15%).

Compared to 2022, the most significant change was the drop in receiving official communication or documents from 88% to 19%, with drops also recorded in accessing personal information (from 51% to 43%) and making appointments (from 32% to 15%). There was however an important increase in the share of citizens obtaining information (from 41% to 50%), requesting benefits or entitlements online (from 11% to 28%) and accessing public databases or registers (from 15% to 25%).

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Call for Reform: Cyprus Faces New Challenges with Emerging Tobacco Products

by News Editor

May 31, 2025

In the face of a burgeoning variety of tobacco products, existing smoking laws in Cyprus are struggling to keep pace, as highlighted by Christos Minas, the president of the Cyprus National Addictions Authority (AAEK). On World No-Tobacco Day, there was a push for legislative reforms to comprehensively cover all tobacco forms, including non-nicotine alternatives.

Addressing Rising Trends with Effective Policies

Minas emphasized the surge in popularity of e-cigarettes and flavored products, particularly among the youth. The proposed legal updates aim to enhance enforcement efficiency against these emerging trends.

In collaboration with the World Health Organization’s (WHO) framework, the AAEK has established the first set of national guidelines for smoking cessation in Cyprus, crafting prevention and treatment strategies based on robust scientific evidence.

Educating Youth and Public Awareness Initiatives

Efforts are underway to raise awareness, with informative materials distributed to secondary schools across Cyprus. A public event in Nicosia highlighted the state’s ongoing commitment, providing carbon monoxide testing and expert advice on new tobacco products.

Recent data from the Cyprus general population survey 2023 indicates that 38% of smokers have used e-cigarettes recently, and the smoking initiation age remains at 18.

A Glimpse into Youth Smoking Patterns

According to the latest European school survey, 14% of Cypriot students aged 15-16 reported smoking traditional cigarettes last month. Although this rate is declining, Cyprus still ranks high in Europe for e-cigarette and hookah use among students.

The concern is global, with WHO reports showing over 37 million children aged 13-15 engage in tobacco use, driven by aggressive marketing in loosely regulated environments.

The urgency for reform is clear: before these trends solidify, proactive measures are necessary to protect future generations from potentially hazardous habits.