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Cyprus Achieves Largest Debt Reduction in Eurozone

Cyprus made significant strides in reducing its government debt, with the debt-to-GDP ratio falling to 70.5% by the end of the second quarter of 2024, according to Eurostat. This represents the largest decrease in the eurozone, with a 2.1% drop from Q1 2024 and a notable 10% reduction from Q2 2023.

In contrast, both the eurozone and the EU saw slight increases in their debt-to-GDP ratios. The eurozone’s ratio increased to 88.1% (up from 87.8% in Q1 2024), and the EU’s rose to 81.5% (up from 81.3%).

Despite Cyprus’ success, some countries continue to struggle with high debt levels. Greece and Italy recorded the highest ratios at 163.6% and 137.0%, respectively. Meanwhile, Bulgaria and Estonia maintained the lowest ratios at 22.1% and 23.8%.

The eurozone’s government debt is largely composed of debt securities, accounting for 84% of the total, while intergovernmental lending made up 1.5% of GDP.

Cyprus’ impressive debt reduction stands in contrast to the increases seen in countries such as Finland and Austria, demonstrating the country’s effective fiscal management amid global economic pressures.

Cyprus Achieves 23.2% Reduction In Energy Intensity As EU Economies Decouple Growth And Consumption

Overview

Cyprus has recorded a remarkable 23.2% decrease in net domestic energy use intensity over the past decade, signaling a decisive move toward improved energy efficiency. Eurostat reports that the overall EU economy utilized 56.1 million terajoules of energy in 2023, a 4.1% decline from the previous year, as countries continue efforts to decouple economic growth from energy consumption.

Sector Analysis

Within the EU’s energy landscape, public and private sector activities accounted for 72.3% of total energy use, while households consumed the remaining 27.7%. The manufacturing sector emerged as the largest individual consumer at 14.3 million terajoules, representing 25.5% of overall usage. Meanwhile, sectors related to the supply of electricity, gas, steam, and air conditioning recorded an 8.7% reduction between 2022 and 2023, while manufacturing registered a 5.5% decline. In contrast, the transportation and storage sector posted an 8.1% increase, reflecting shifting demand patterns.

Comparative Performance And Regional Trends

Cyprus’ performance stands out among regional peers. Greece, for example, registered a 19.6% reduction in energy intensity over the same period. Broader EU trends show mixed progress: Estonia and Ireland recorded the fastest declines in energy consumption, while Malta and Lithuania experienced increases. These differences highlight the importance of targeted policies and infrastructure investment in driving efficiency gains.

Conclusion

The sustained drop in energy intensity demonstrates that economies can increase output without proportional rises in energy consumption. This trend supports a broader EU objective of aligning economic growth with sustainable energy practices. Cyprus’ performance sets a strong benchmark for both businesses and policymakers, illustrating the productivity gains that can be achieved through effective energy management.

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