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Cypriot Youth’s Priorities: Social Protection, Cost of Living, And The Role Of Social Media

by THEFUTURE.TEAM

February 18, 2025

A fresh Eurobarometer survey reveals what’s top of mind for young people across the EU, with a particular spotlight on Cyprus. While rising prices and climate change are EU-wide concerns, Cypriot youth demand urgent action on social protection, job creation, and tackling the cost of living.

Social Protection Takes The Lead In Cyprus

The youth in Cyprus, aged 16-30, have spoken loud and clear. They want the EU to prioritize social protection and healthcare, with 37% placing these issues at the top of the agenda. This stands in stark contrast to the broader EU focus, where 40% of young people are most concerned with the rising cost of living.

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However, Cyprus isn’t immune to these economic struggles, with 31% of young people here also highlighting rising prices and job creation as urgent matters. Environmental concerns come third, but only 24% of Cypriot youth believe it should take precedence over social issues.

Social Media Dominates News Consumption

When it comes to staying informed, traditional media takes a backseat. The study found that social media is the go-to platform for political and social news among 44% of young Cypriots, a figure higher than the EU average of 42%. In contrast, TV, which remains the second-most popular source, only reaches 27% in Cyprus.

Platforms like Instagram and YouTube are the main sources of news, with Facebook leading at 52%. TikTok also made an impact, but Twitter (now X) lags far behind, used by just 20% of Cypriot youth. This trend highlights a broader European shift, with Instagram at the forefront, followed by TikTok, especially for younger audiences.

Disinformation: A Growing Concern

While young people rely on social media, they’re also keenly aware of the disinformation risks. In Cyprus, 83% of respondents say they’ve encountered fake news recently, far higher than the 76% EU-wide. Yet, they’re confident in their ability to spot it, with 85% of Cypriots believing they can detect disinformation—a sharp contrast to the 70% in the EU.

The Numbers Behind The Survey

Conducted between 25 September and 3 October 2024, the survey reached 25,863 youth across the EU, with 514 participants from Cyprus. Results were weighted to reflect the demographic breakdown of each country.

As Europe faces mounting challenges, it’s clear that Cypriot youth are looking for solutions that go beyond environmental policies—they’re seeking real, immediate change in social services, economic stability, and information transparency. The spotlight is on EU leaders to heed their voices and take action.

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EU Moderates Emissions While Sustaining Economic Momentum

by THEFUTURE.TEAM

November 15, 2025

The European Union witnessed a modest decline in greenhouse gas emissions in the second quarter of 2025, as reported by Eurostat. Emissions across the EU registered at 772 million tonnes of CO₂-equivalents, marking a 0.4 percent reduction from 775 million tonnes in the same period of 2024. Concurrently, the EU’s gross domestic product rose by 1.3 percent, reinforcing the ongoing decoupling between economic growth and environmental impact.

Sector-By-Sector Performance

Within the broader statistics on emissions by economic activity, the energy sector—specifically electricity, gas, steam, and air conditioning supply—experienced the most significant drop, declining by 2.9 percent. In comparison, the manufacturing sector and transportation and storage both achieved a 0.4 percent reduction. However, household emissions bucked the trend, increasing by 1.0 percent over the same period.

National Highlights And Notable Exceptions

Among EU member states, 12 reported a reduction in emissions, while 14 saw increases, and Estonia’s figures remained static. Notably, Slovenia, the Netherlands, and Finland recorded the most pronounced declines at 8.6 percent, 5.9 percent, and 4.2 percent respectively. Of the 12 countries reducing emissions, three—Finland, Germany, and Luxembourg—also experienced a contraction in GDP growth.

Dual Achievement: Environmental And Economic Goals

In an encouraging development, nine member states, including Cyprus, managed to lower their emissions while maintaining economic expansion. This dual achievement—reducing environmental impact while fostering economic activity—is a trend that has increasingly influenced EU climate policies. Other nations that successfully balanced these outcomes include Austria, Denmark, France, Italy, the Netherlands, Romania, Slovenia, and Sweden.

Conclusion

As the EU continues to navigate its climate commitments, these quarterly insights underscore a gradual yet significant shift toward balancing emissions reductions with robust economic growth. The evolving landscape highlights the critical need for sustainable strategies that not only mitigate environmental risks but also invigorate economic resilience.