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Cyprus’ Economic Growth: A 2025 Projection by the European Commission

The European Commission has forecasted that Cyprus will see a 3% economic growth in 2025, slightly decreasing to 2.5% in 2026. This upward trend is primarily driven by resilient domestic demand, a robust services export sector, and a strong labor market.

With a 3.4% real GDP growth recorded in 2024, Cyprus has demonstrated robust private consumption, which rose by 3.8%. Investment excluding ship registrations also increased, despite a construction strike at the end of the year.

Net exports turned positive, bolstered by tourism, ICT, and sea transport. Private consumption is expected to remain a key driver as wages rise and inflation falls, enhancing household purchasing power.

Growth Drivers and Challenges

The projection is supported by ongoing investment and structural transformation within the Cypriot economy, attracting significant investment into emerging sectors like ICT.

However, increased foreign firm activity may lead to more profit repatriation, thereby limiting gains from improved trade balances. The current account deficit is expected to shrink to 5.9% by 2026.

Potential risks include global trade disruptions, particularly impacting Cyprus’s sea transport sector. Nonetheless, Cyprus’s limited direct trade with the US minimizes its exposure to US tariffs.

Recent interest rate cuts have also stimulated loan demand, contributing to Cyprus’s financial momentum.

Favorable Fiscal Outlook

The outlook for Cyprus’ fiscal health remains positive, with a strong budget surplus and a notable decrease in the debt-to-GDP ratio, projected to be 58% in 2025.

Spending will focus on energy projects such as the LNG terminal and social schemes, with revenues anticipated to outpace expenditures due to ongoing economic strength.

Despite these commitments, Cyprus continues to attract transformational ventures, enhancing its economic landscape.

European Central Bank Report Highlights Stable Inflation and Economic Outlook

Overview Of Inflation Trends

The latest European Central Bank survey shows a slight decline in median inflation expectations over the next 12 months, decreasing from 2.8% in August to 2.7% in September. Despite this minor adjustment, consumer perceptions of past 12-month inflation have held steady at 3.1% for the eighth consecutive month. Long-term projections for three- and five-year inflation remain stable at 2.5% and 2.2% respectively.

Consumer Expectations Drive Income And Spending Projections

Across the board, expectations for nominal income growth over the upcoming year have remained consistent at 1.1%. However, there is a noticeable shift in spending behavior: while perceived nominal spending growth for the past year slipped slightly to 4.9% from 5.0%, expectations for spending growth over the next 12 months rose to 3.5%. Notably, lower income groups continue to forecast marginally higher spending increases compared to their higher income counterparts.

Stability In Economic And Labour Market Outlook

Economic growth expectations are modestly pessimistic, with respondents forecasting a contraction of -1.2% over the next 12 months. Concurrently, anticipated unemployment levels remain unchanged at 10.7% a year ahead, though the outlook varies by income, with lower income households expecting unemployment rates as high as 12.7%, while higher income groups maintain expectations around 9.4%. Overall, the slight difference between current and future unemployment suggests a broadly stable labor market outlook.

Housing Market And Credit Conditions

The survey also reveals an upswing in expectations related to the housing market. Home price growth expectations have edged higher to 3.5%, and anticipated mortgage interest rates have risen modestly to 4.6%. Similar to other metrics, expectations vary by income, with lower income households expecting higher mortgage rates. In recent months, a marginal decline in reported credit tightening over the past 12 months contrasts with a renewed forecast of tighter credit conditions in the forthcoming year.

Conclusion

The ECB’s latest findings underscore the delicate balance between stable long-term economic forecasts and short-term adjustments in consumer expectations. The slight dips in inflation expectations, alongside stable perceptions of past inflation, delineate a marketplace that is both cautious and measured. As income, spending, and housing market metrics continue to evolve, these indicators provide critical insights for policymakers and investors navigating an increasingly complex economic landscape.

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