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Cyprus Sees 1.8% Population Growth In 2023, Statistical Data Reveal

by THEFUTURE.TEAM

January 16, 2025

The population in the Government-controlled areas of Cyprus reached an estimated 966,400 by the end of 2023, up from 949,100 in 2022, reflecting a 1.8% increase, according to demographic statistics published by the Statistical Service on Wednesday.

The data highlight the ageing of Cyprus’ population. In 2023, children under 15 years made up 15.3% of the population, while individuals aged 65 and over accounted for 17.7%. This is a notable shift from 2000 when children represented 22.3% and the elderly just 11.3%.

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Birth Rates

Births in the Government-controlled areas saw a slight increase, reaching 10,241 in 2023, up from 10,187 the previous year, resulting in a crude birth rate of 10.7 per 1,000 people. However, the total fertility rate remained unchanged at 1.4, well below the replacement level of 2.1, and a significant decline from its local peak of 2.5 in 1982.

Women in Cyprus are having children later in life, with the average age at first birth rising to 30 years, and the mean age at childbirth, regardless of order, increasing to 31.5 years.

Mortality And Life Expectancy

Deaths in the Government-controlled areas dropped to 6,742 in 2023, compared to 7,307 in 2022, bringing the crude death rate down to 7 per 1,000 population from 7.8.

Life expectancy improved slightly, reaching 81 years for males and 85 years for females in 2023, compared to 80.2 and 83.9, respectively, in 2022. However, infant mortality rose from 3.3 to 4.5 deaths per 1,000 live births.

Migration Trends

Cyprus has maintained positive net migration since 2016. In 2023, net migration was estimated at 13,782. Long-term immigrants—both Cypriots and foreigners—totalled 40,761, compared to 37,558 in 2022. Conversely, the number of emigrants rose to 26,979, up from 21,118 the previous year.

Marriage And Divorce Statistics

The total number of marriages declined in 2023, falling to 11,766 from 13,350 in 2022. Ecclesiastical marriages saw a small drop, from 4,486 in 2022 to 4,355 in 2023. Civil marriages experienced a sharper decline, from 8,864 to 7,411, with only 2,076 involving residents of Cyprus.

The number of divorces, however, increased significantly, reaching 2,134 in 2023, up from 1,503 in 2022. The crude divorce rate rose to 2.23 per 1,000 people, while the total divorce rate—indicating the percentage of marriages expected to end in divorce—surged to 347.8 per 1,000 marriages, a dramatic increase from 41.6 per 1,000 in 1980.

The Decline Of Smartwatches: A Turning Point In The Wearable Tech Industry

by THEFUTURE.TEAM

March 13, 2025

For the first time in history, the smartwatch market is facing a significant downturn. Shipments are expected to drop by 7% in 2024, marking a major shift in a segment that has been growing steadily for over a decade. A report by Counterpoint reveals that while Apple still holds the top spot, its dominance is being challenged by a surge from Chinese brands like Huawei, Xiaomi, and BBK. Even as the overall market struggles, some companies are thriving.

The Big Picture: Why Smartwatches Are Slowing Down

Apple’s flagship products have long been the driving force in the smartwatch market, but even the tech giant is feeling the pressure. The company’s shipments are projected to fall by 19% this year, though it will remain the market leader. Meanwhile, brands from China are capitalizing on the shift, with Huawei showing an impressive 35% growth in sales, driven by the booming domestic market and a broad range of offerings, including smartwatches for kids.

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Xiaomi, too, is experiencing remarkable success, with a staggering 135% increase in sales. In contrast, Samsung is seeing more modest growth, up 3%, thanks to its latest Galaxy Watch 7 and Galaxy Watch Ultra series.

While some companies are succeeding, the broader market is facing headwinds. The biggest factor behind the overall decline is the slowdown in India, where consumer demand for smartwatches has stagnated. The segment is suffering from a lack of innovation and fresh updates, leaving many consumers with little incentive to upgrade their devices. Add to that market saturation, and it’s clear why many users are content with their current models. The Chinese market, however, is bucking the trend, showing 6% growth in 2024.

A Glimpse Into The Future

Looking ahead, the smartwatch market may begin to recover in 2025, driven by the increasing integration of AI and advanced health monitoring tools. As these technologies evolve, the industry could see a resurgence in demand.

Huawei’s Remarkable Comeback

Huawei’s impressive performance in the smartwatch space signals a broader recovery for the company, which has been hit hard by US sanctions. Once the world’s largest smartphone maker, Huawei’s business was decimated when it lost access to advanced chips and Google’s Android operating system in 2019. But in China, Huawei has maintained its dominance, with its market share growing to 17% in 2024.

This resurgence was partly driven by the launch of the Mate 60 Pro, a smartphone featuring a 7-nanometer chip developed in China. Despite US sanctions, the device surprised many with its capabilities, a testament to China’s rising investment in domestic semiconductor production.

In February, Huawei also unveiled its Mate XT foldable smartphone, the world’s first device to fold in three directions. Running on HarmonyOS 4.2, Huawei’s proprietary operating system, the phone further demonstrates the company’s resilience and ability to innovate despite international challenges.

Huawei’s smartwatch offerings are also catching attention, particularly the Huawei Watch GT 5 Pro, which launched in September of last year. With a premium titanium alloy design, a high-resolution AMOLED display, and impressive health tracking features, the GT 5 Pro has become a standout in the market, available to both Android and iOS users.

A Brief History Of The Smartwatch Revolution

The smartwatch market has had its fair share of milestones, but the real breakthrough came in 2012 with the Pebble, a Kickstarter-funded project that raised over $10 million. Pebble introduced the world to smartphone integration, app downloads, and long battery life, becoming the first truly mass-market smartwatch.

In 2013, Samsung entered the game with the Galaxy Gear, marking its first attempt at wearable tech. But it was Apple’s entry in 2014 that truly set the industry on fire. The Apple Watch’s sleek design, integration with iOS, and emphasis on health and fitness catapulted it to the top of the market, establishing a standard that many other brands would try to follow.

By 2021, the smartwatch industry had grown to over $30 billion in revenue, with annual growth reaching 20%. Yet now, it finds itself at a crossroads, with innovation stagnating and market saturation taking a toll.