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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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Cyprus Records 3.1M Guest Nights In Q3 2025

Cyprus recorded 3.1 million guest nights in short-term rental accommodation in the third quarter of 2025, according to Eurostat. The data reflect bookings made through online platforms.

Record Performance In Q3 2025

Between July and September 2025, guest nights reached 3,104,502 across platforms, including Airbnb, Booking.com, and Expedia. The volume highlights the role of digital booking platforms in Cyprus’s tourism sector.

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Continental Trends Bolstering Digital Tourism

Across the EU, short-term rental activity also increased. In the fourth quarter of 2025, total guest nights reached 172.30 million, up 10.90% compared to the same period in 2024 and 30.20% higher than in 2023. For the full year, online platforms accounted for 951.60 million nights in 2025, representing an increase of 11.40% year on year and 32.40% compared to 2023.

Regional Destinations And Competitive Dynamics

Tourism activity remains concentrated in southern European regions. Croatia’s Jadranska Hrvatska recorded 27.70 million guest nights, followed by Spain’s Andalucia with 19.50 million and France’s Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur with 16.90 million. Cyprus is not among the top 20 EU regions by volume, though its figures remain notable relative to its size.

Economic Implications And Forward Outlook

Tourism continues to play a key role in Cyprus’s economy, with online platforms accounting for a growing share of bookings. Eurostat data indicate continued expansion in digital tourism, with implications for policy planning and investment across the sector.