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Cyprus Property Market Booms: Who’s Buying And Why?

by THEFUTURE.TEAM

January 28, 2025

The Cyprus property market has seen an impressive surge in foreign interest over recent years, with thousands of properties being snapped up by international buyers, both from EU member states and beyond. According to the latest figures from the Department of Lands and Surveys, a staggering 37,000 properties were sold to foreign nationals between 2021 and the end of 2024, underscoring the growing appeal of the island’s real estate market.

During the same period, Cypriot nationals continued to dominate the local market, purchasing over 200,000 properties. Yet, it’s the foreign buyers who are making a notable impact, with UK nationals consistently leading the pack, followed by Russians, Israelis, Greeks, and Lebanese.

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The figures, which were presented to the House of Representatives by Interior Minister Constantinos Ioannou, offer a detailed breakdown of property acquisitions, including buyer nationality and district. Let’s take a closer look at the trends across various regions of Cyprus.

Nicosia: Greeks, Britons, And Australians Take The Lead

In the capital, Nicosia, Greek nationals have emerged as the top foreign buyers, securing 1,626 properties between 2021 and 2024. This includes 272 properties purchased via sales agreements and 1,354 through completed sales. UK nationals are a close second with 1,584 properties, while Australians round out the top three with 545 properties.

However, despite the strong foreign presence, Cypriots remain the dominant force in Nicosia’s property market, holding an impressive 98,205 properties compared to just 5,236 owned by foreigners.

Limassol: Russians, Britons, And Israelis Fuel Growth

Limassol has become a hotbed for foreign property purchases, with Russian nationals leading the charge. Over the four-year period, they secured 2,561 properties, with 1,269 purchased via sales agreements and 1,292 from completed sales. UK nationals followed with 1,840 properties, while Israelis also showed strong interest, buying 1,154 properties.

Cypriots continue to make up the bulk of property owners in Limassol, with over 62,000 local purchases, but foreign buyers have clearly made their mark in this coastal city.

Paphos: A Favourite Among Britons, Russians, And Israelis

The town of Paphos has also seen an influx of foreign buyers, with the UK topping the list once again. British nationals acquired 4,483 properties in Paphos between 2021 and 2024, followed by Russian nationals with 1,563 properties and Israelis with 1,291 properties. The total number of foreign property purchases in Paphos exceeds 10,000, while Cypriots secured 28,484 properties during the same period.

Larnaca: Lebanese, Britons, And Israelis Drive Sales

Larnaca’s property market has attracted significant foreign interest as well, with UK nationals at the forefront, purchasing 2,743 properties. Lebanese buyers rank second with 1,744 properties, while Israelis follow closely with 1,406 acquisitions. Over the four years, Larnaca saw 8,535 foreign property purchases, with Cypriots acquiring a larger share—33,819 properties.

Famagusta: Britons, Greeks, And Lebanese Show Interest

In Famagusta, British nationals again lead the pack with 1,182 property purchases. Greeks and Lebanese nationals follow with 165 and 131 properties, respectively. However, Cypriots continue to dominate the Famagusta market, with 16,966 properties purchased by locals compared to just over 2,000 foreign acquisitions.

The data paints a clear picture: foreign nationals are showing growing interest in Cyprus’ real estate market, particularly those from the UK, Russia, Israel, Greece, and Lebanon. This surge in foreign investment is reshaping the landscape of Cyprus property, offering both challenges and opportunities for local buyers and developers alike.

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.