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Cyprus Economy In 2024: Growth In Key Sectors, But Trade Faces Challenges

Cyprus experienced notable economic growth in 2024, driven by increases in construction, manufacturing, tourism, and vehicle registrations. However, trade performance weakened, with both imports and exports declining. The latest data from CySTAT provides a comprehensive overview of these trends.

Key Figures

  • Construction Growth: Building permits reached 1.72 million square meters (January–August 2024), an 18% increase compared to the same period in 2023.
  • Manufacturing Expansion: Industrial production rose 1.8% from January to November 2024, reflecting steady growth in the sector.
  • Increase in Vehicle Registrations: Total vehicle registrations grew 9.1%, reaching 49,616; Private saloon car registrations increased 11.2%, while light goods vehicle sales surged 36.1%.
  • Consumer Price Index: Inflation remained moderate, with the CPI rising 1.8% for the year.
  • Tourism Growth: Tourist arrivals reached 4,040,200, marking a 5.1% increase compared to 2023.
  • Decline in Trade Performance: Imports fell 7%, totaling €12.26 billion; Exports declined 12.5%, amounting to €4.12 billion.

The data highlights strong domestic economic activity but also signals potential challenges in external trade.

Cyprus Emerges As A Leading Household Consumer In The European Union

Overview Of Eurostat Findings

A recent Eurostat survey, which adjusts real consumption per capita using purchasing power standards (PPS), has positioned Cyprus among the highest household consumers in the European Union. In 2024, Cyprus recorded a per capita expenditure of 21,879 PPS, a figure that underscores the country’s robust material well-being relative to other member states.

Comparative Consumption Analysis

Luxembourg claimed the top spot with an impressive 28,731 PPS per inhabitant. Trailing closely were Ireland (23,534 PPS), Belgium (23,437 PPS), Germany (23,333 PPS), Austria (23,094 PPS), the Netherlands (22,805 PPS), Denmark (22,078 PPS), and Italy (21,986 PPS), with Cyprus rounding out this elite group at 21,879 PPS. These figures not only highlight the high expenditure across these nations but also reflect differences in purchasing power and living standards across the region.

Contrasting Trends In Household Spending

The survey also shed light on countries with lower household spending levels. Hungary and Bulgaria reported the smallest average expenditures, at 14,621 PPS and 15,025 PPS respectively. Meanwhile, Greece and Portugal recorded 18,752 PPS and 19,328 PPS, respectively. Noteworthy figures from France (20,462 PPS), Finland (20,158 PPS), Lithuania (19,261 PPS), Malta (19,622 PPS), Slovenia (18,269 PPS), Slovakia (17,233 PPS), Latvia (16,461 PPS), Estonia (16,209 PPS), and the Czech Republic (16,757 PPS) further illustrate the disparate economic landscapes within the EU. Spain’s figure, however, was an outlier at 10,899 PPS, suggesting the need for further data clarification.

Growth Trends And Economic Implications

Eurostat’s longitudinal analysis from 2019 to 2024 revealed that Croatia, Bulgaria, and Romania experienced the fastest annual increases in real consumer spending, each growing by at least 3.8%. In contrast, five member states, with the Czech Republic experiencing the largest drop at an average annual decline of 1.3%, indicate a varied economic recovery narrative across the continent.

This comprehensive survey not only provides valuable insights into current household consumption patterns but also offers a robust framework for policymakers and business leaders to understand economic shifts across the EU. Such data is integral for strategic decision-making in markets that are increasingly defined by evolving consumer behavior and regional economic resilience.

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