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Cypriots: Capable Yet Hesitant in Entrepreneurship

A recent study from the University of Cyprus’s Entrepreneurship Center sheds light on Cypriots’ views towards starting businesses. While 39.8% see favorable opportunities, 60.5% believe in their capabilities, yet 53.3% are deterred by the fear of failure.

The Power and Presence of Small Enterprises

Cyprus plays host to approximately 125,000 businesses, significantly contributing to a workforce of about 500,000. The dynamics of these enterprises highlight their pivotal role in shaping the nation’s economic landscape.

Progress in the Entrepreneurial Sphere

This eighth participation in the Global Entrepreneurship Monitor (GEM) reveals a positive trend with an increase in new business ownership, now at 4.7%. Additionally, there’s notable optimism among younger individuals aged 18-34, who lead with a 14.4% engagement in startups.

Gender and Age Dynamics

Despite improvements, gender disparity remains, with 14.5% of men versus 4.9% of women initiating entrepreneurial activities. Furthermore, Cyprus ranks sixth in Europe for established business ownership, attesting to its mature business ecosystem.

Reflective of global ambitions, the study suggests financial education and policy adjustments for fostering entrepreneurship. Actions like mentoring programs and governmental incentives could drive Cyprus’s business potential forward.

Cyprus Ranks Among EU Leaders In Tertiary-Educated ICT Workforce

High Educational Attainment Sets Cyprus Apart

Recent data from Eurostat showed that Cyprus is expected to rank among the leading European countries for tertiary-educated ICT professionals in 2025. According to the figures, 96.4% of ICT professionals in Cyprus are projected to hold tertiary education qualifications, placing the country among the highest-ranked members of the European Union.

Gender Disparity Remains A Critical Challenge

Despite the high level of educational attainment, the ICT workforce in Cyprus continues to show a significant gender imbalance. Men are projected to account for 85.1% of ICT employees in 2025, while women are expected to represent 14.9% of the sector. In 2024, the split stood at 70.9% for men and 29.1% for women. The figures highlighted a widening gender gap within the country’s ICT workforce.

European Union Trends And Comparative Analysis

Across the European Union, the number of ICT professionals is projected to increase to 3.4 million in 2025 from 3.2 million in 2024, representing annual growth of 5.1%. Men are expected to account for 83.4% of ICT employment across the bloc, equivalent to approximately 2.8 million workers, while women are projected to represent 16.6%.

National Performance Variability In Gender Representation

Countries within the EU show a varied landscape: the highest percentages of male ICT professionals are reported in the Czech Republic (92.9%), Slovenia (89.1%), Latvia (89.0%), Lithuania (88.9%), and Slovakia (88.4%). On the contrary, nations such as Denmark (30.0%), Sweden (29.8%), Romania (28.6%), Bulgaria (25.6%), and Croatia (25.2%) lead in female participation in the ICT arena.

Educational Background Across The European ICT Sector

Eurostat data also showed that most ICT professionals across the EU hold tertiary education qualifications. By 2025, 74.8% of ICT workers in the bloc are projected to have university-level education, while 25.2% are expected to hold secondary or post-secondary qualifications. Denmark recorded the highest share of tertiary-educated ICT professionals at 97.7%, followed by France at 96.6% and Cyprus at 96.4%. Other countries with high levels of tertiary-educated ICT workers included Ireland at 92.3%, Bulgaria at 91.1%, and Croatia at 90.9%. At the lower end of the ranking, Italy recorded 69.2%, while Portugal stood at 58.8%.

Conclusion

The data perfectly encapsulates the dual narrative in the ICT sector: while countries like Cyprus and Denmark achieve remarkable educational standards among ICT workers, persistent gender disparities remind us that diversity remains an ongoing challenge. As the ICT landscape continues to evolve, strategic policy formation and corporate governance will be pivotal in balancing excellence with inclusivity.

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