Cyprus Building Permits Surge In 2024 Despite August Drop

by THEFUTURE.TEAM

January 24, 2025

The construction sector in Cyprus saw an 8.6% annual increase in building permits issued during the first eight months of 2024, according to the Statistical Service of Cyprus. However, August 2024 recorded a sharp 59.3% drop compared to the same month last year, primarily due to technical challenges with the new “Ippodamos” information system.

In August alone, 183 building permits were authorized, down from 450 in August 2023. These permits accounted for a total value of €87.4 million and a construction area of 66,200 square meters, paving the way for 323 housing units.

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Growth In The First Eight Months

Between January and August 2024, 5,062 building permits were issued, up from 4,662 in the same period in 2023. This represents a 16.3% increase in total value and an 18% rise in total construction area. The number of housing units also climbed by 16.2%, underscoring the sector’s robust performance.

August Decline Explained

The significant drop in August permits stems from the recent transition of authority for issuing permits. As of July 1, 2024, responsibility shifted from municipalities and district administration offices to newly established Local Government Organisations (LGOs). This change, coupled with operational issues in the “Ippodamos” system, led to delays in permit processing.

Despite these temporary setbacks, the overall rise in permits reflects steady growth in Cyprus’s construction sector, reinforcing its importance as a pillar of the national economy.

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Cyprus Expected Working Life Reaches 39.5 Years, Above EU Average

by THEFUTURE.TEAM

July 20, 2026

People in Cyprus are expected to spend 39.5 years in the workforce, around two years longer than the European Union average of 37.5 years, according to the latest Eurostat data for 2025.

The figure places Cyprus among the EU countries with the longest expected working lives.

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Cyprus Ranks Above EU Average

Only a handful of member states recorded higher figures than Cyprus. The Netherlands topped the ranking at 44 years, followed by Sweden at 43.4 years, Denmark at 42.6 years, and Estonia at 41.5 years.

At the other end of the ranking were Romania with 32.7 years, Italy with 33.0 years, Bulgaria with 34.6 years and Greece with 35.3 years.

Gender Gap Remains Wider Than EU Average

Men in Cyprus are expected to remain in work for 42.1 years, compared with 36.7 years for women. The gap of 5.4 years exceeds the EU average gender gap of 4.1 years.

Across the bloc, Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia were the only countries where women were expected to spend longer in employment than men. Finland recorded the smallest positive gender gap at 0.7 years.

Italy posted the widest gap at 8.9 years, followed by Romania at 6.9 years, Greece at 6.7 years and Malta at 6.3 years.

Working Lives Continue To Lengthen

Between 2016 and 2025, expected working life in Cyprus increased by 3.5 years, placing the country among the strongest performers in the EU over the period. Men’s expected working life rose by 3.3 years, while women’s increased by 3.6 years.

Across the EU, every member state recorded an increase. Malta posted the largest gain at 4.9 years, followed by Hungary and Ireland at 4.2 years each, and the Netherlands at 4.1 years.

Malta’s increase was driven largely by women, whose expected working life rose by 7.8 years, the biggest increase recorded across the bloc.

By comparison, Romania, Spain, Italy, Germany and Austria recorded gains of two years or less over the same period.

Women’s Working Lives Increase Faster Across Europe

Women’s expected working life increased faster than men’s in most EU countries. Denmark, Romania, Sweden and Greece were the main exceptions.

In Cyprus, gains for men and women were broadly similar, alongside Bulgaria, Belgium and Slovenia.

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