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Cyprus At The Bottom: The Gender Gap In EU Politics

by THEFUTURE.TEAM

March 11, 2025

Women now hold a third (33.4%) of parliamentary seats across the European Union, marking a steady rise in political representation over the past decade. Fresh Eurostat data shows this figure reflects a 5.6 percentage point increase compared to 2014. But while some EU nations are closing the gender gap in politics, others remain significantly behind—Cyprus among them.

Cyprus: The Lowest Female Representation In The EU

Cyprus stands at the bottom of the EU ranking for female parliamentary representation, with just 14.3% of MPs being women. This figure has remained unchanged since 2014, highlighting a decade of stagnation in gender equality within the country’s legislature. Compared to the EU average of 33.4% and the frontrunners—Sweden (45.6%), Finland (45.5%), and Denmark (44.7%)—Cyprus lags significantly behind.

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The situation is no better in the national government. Unlike countries making progress in appointing women to ministerial roles, Cyprus remains far from achieving gender balance. While Belgium (55.0%), Estonia (50.0%), and France (50.0%) now have at least half of their national governments made up of women, Cyprus remains among the least progressive in this area.

Uneven Progress Across The EU

Despite Cyprus’s stagnation, other EU countries have made significant strides. Malta (+14.9 pp), Latvia (+13.0 pp), and France (+10.3 pp) have seen the largest increases in female parliamentary representation over the past decade. Similarly, Belgium (+32.8 pp), Portugal (+25.7 pp), and Lithuania (+24.9 pp) recorded the biggest jumps in female participation in national governments.

Meanwhile, some EU nations remain stark outliers. Hungary had no women in its national government in 2024, while Czechia (5.9%) and Croatia (10.5%) had some of the lowest shares of female ministers.

As Europe pushes toward greater gender equality in politics, the gap between progressive and lagging nations continues to grow. The question remains: will countries like Cyprus take action to close the divide, or will they continue to fall behind?

Read Gender Equality Remains A Top Priority, Says Cypriot President

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Apple Launches Manufacturing Academy In Detroit To Train Next-Generation U.S. Manufacturers

by THEFUTURE.TEAM

July 29, 2025

Apple’s Strategic Investment In U.S. Manufacturing

In a bold move to expand its domestic manufacturing capabilities pursuant to growing political and economic pressures, Apple Inc. has inaugurated a state-of-the-art manufacturing initiative in downtown Detroit. The Apple Manufacturing Academy, administered by Michigan State University, is set to equip small and medium-sized businesses with cutting‐edge skills in manufacturing and artificial intelligence.

Advancing U.S. Industrial Capabilities

Under the leadership of newly designated COO Sabih Khan, Apple’s initiative is designed to train the next generation of American manufacturers. The academy will host hands‐on workshops led by Apple engineers, bridging the gap between advanced technology and traditional manufacturing. This move not only underscores Apple’s commitment to domestic investment but also seeks to unlock significant opportunities for U.S. businesses amidst the evolving global economic landscape.

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A Balancing Act Amid Political Pressures

The academy’s launch comes at a time when President Donald Trump has been vocal about his expectations for U.S. job creation and domestic production. While Trump has publicly encouraged Apple to relocate iPhone assembly to the United States—a strategy that experts argue would be both costly and time-intensive—the tech giant has made substantial investments in American operations. Previously, Apple pledged to invest over $500 billion in U.S. projects, including assembling AI servers in Houston and sourcing chips from TSMC’s Arizona facility.

Strengthening Industry Partnerships

The Detroit program builds on Apple’s successful model of global developer academies, a testament to its strategy of forging robust relationships with local governments and fostering innovation. The sole U.S. developer academy, also positioned in Detroit in partnership with Michigan State University, has already demonstrated promising outcomes with an annual intake of approximately 200 students.

A Forward-Looking Vision

By introducing the Apple Manufacturing Academy, Apple extends its influence beyond hardware production to actively nurture the U.S. manufacturing ecosystem. In addition to in-person training, the program will soon offer virtual courses and consulting services, ensuring that a wide range of enterprises can benefit from smart manufacturing practices. This initiative not only reflects Apple’s global stature as a technology leader but also reinforces its strategic alignment with national economic priorities.