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Cyprus Growth Forecast Cut For 2026 As Inflation Seen At 2.7%

The Center for Economic Studies at the University of Cyprus forecasts a slowdown in the Cypriot economy by 2026, with inflation on an upward trajectory amid intensifying geopolitical tensions in the Middle East.

Revised Growth Forecasts

Updated estimates show that growth projections for 2026 have been revised down by 0.6 percentage points, with a further 0.3 percentage point reduction for 2027 compared with January forecasts. These revisions follow signals of weaker demand, particularly in externally oriented service sectors, which remain sensitive to international conditions.

Geopolitical Pressures And Domestic Resilience

Pressure on the outlook is largely linked to developments in the Middle East, which continue to affect economic activity and sentiment. Data from recent months, including March, point to slower demand, increased uncertainty among businesses and consumers, and rising price pressures.

At the same time, earlier economic performance provides some support. Growth recorded in the fourth quarter of 2025, combined with public finances and low unemployment, is expected to offset part of the impact from external shocks, including regional conflict and health-related disruptions such as dengue fever.

Rising Inflation Driven By Global Market Shifts

Inflation is projected to increase from 0.1% in 2025 to 2.7% in 2026, before easing to 1.8% in 2027. Compared with earlier forecasts, this represents an upward revision of 1.9 percentage points for 2026 and 0.4 points for 2027. Higher international oil prices linked to the conflict, together with increases in domestic food prices during the first quarter of 2026, are identified as the main drivers behind the revised outlook.

Outlook In An Uncertain Environment

Cyprus Ranks Among EU Leaders In Tertiary-Educated ICT Workforce

High Educational Attainment Sets Cyprus Apart

Recent data from Eurostat showed that Cyprus is expected to rank among the leading European countries for tertiary-educated ICT professionals in 2025. According to the figures, 96.4% of ICT professionals in Cyprus are projected to hold tertiary education qualifications, placing the country among the highest-ranked members of the European Union.

Gender Disparity Remains A Critical Challenge

Despite the high level of educational attainment, the ICT workforce in Cyprus continues to show a significant gender imbalance. Men are projected to account for 85.1% of ICT employees in 2025, while women are expected to represent 14.9% of the sector. In 2024, the split stood at 70.9% for men and 29.1% for women. The figures highlighted a widening gender gap within the country’s ICT workforce.

European Union Trends And Comparative Analysis

Across the European Union, the number of ICT professionals is projected to increase to 3.4 million in 2025 from 3.2 million in 2024, representing annual growth of 5.1%. Men are expected to account for 83.4% of ICT employment across the bloc, equivalent to approximately 2.8 million workers, while women are projected to represent 16.6%.

National Performance Variability In Gender Representation

Countries within the EU show a varied landscape: the highest percentages of male ICT professionals are reported in the Czech Republic (92.9%), Slovenia (89.1%), Latvia (89.0%), Lithuania (88.9%), and Slovakia (88.4%). On the contrary, nations such as Denmark (30.0%), Sweden (29.8%), Romania (28.6%), Bulgaria (25.6%), and Croatia (25.2%) lead in female participation in the ICT arena.

Educational Background Across The European ICT Sector

Eurostat data also showed that most ICT professionals across the EU hold tertiary education qualifications. By 2025, 74.8% of ICT workers in the bloc are projected to have university-level education, while 25.2% are expected to hold secondary or post-secondary qualifications. Denmark recorded the highest share of tertiary-educated ICT professionals at 97.7%, followed by France at 96.6% and Cyprus at 96.4%. Other countries with high levels of tertiary-educated ICT workers included Ireland at 92.3%, Bulgaria at 91.1%, and Croatia at 90.9%. At the lower end of the ranking, Italy recorded 69.2%, while Portugal stood at 58.8%.

Conclusion

The data perfectly encapsulates the dual narrative in the ICT sector: while countries like Cyprus and Denmark achieve remarkable educational standards among ICT workers, persistent gender disparities remind us that diversity remains an ongoing challenge. As the ICT landscape continues to evolve, strategic policy formation and corporate governance will be pivotal in balancing excellence with inclusivity.

Uol
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