Cyprus: Harnessing €1.8 Billion EU Funds for Ambitious Development by 2029

by News Editor

April 22, 2025

Cyprus has embarked on an ambitious journey with the THALIA 2021-2027 programme, securing a record €1.8 billion, the largest since joining the EU in 2004.

With the European Commission’s approval in July 2022, €969 million in EU funds will complement the rest from Cyprus’ national budget. Already, €600 million has been put to work in over 100 projects, either completed or in progress.

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Projections are promising with a potential 6% GDP boost and 8,500 new jobs by 2029, concentrating on green, digital, local development, job creation, and social inclusion initiatives.

Building on the momentum from the 2014-2020 period, Cyprus led the EU in fund absorption, channeling €880 million for public investment, fueling 24,000 jobs and 6% GDP growth.

In Nicosia, projects have revitalized Eleftheria Square, upgraded Aglantzia Avenue, and restored the Municipal Theatre. Larnaca has seen new municipal markets and cultural spaces.

Paphos projects include the Ibrahim Khan restoration and Kennedy Square upgrades. Limassol focuses on port enhancements.

Key undertakings include the Stelios Ioannou Library and the Green Points network across Cyprus. Future THALIA projects aim at energy efficiency, local growth, youth entrepreneurship, and social inclusion.

With 160 projects expected by 2029, Cyprus is set to make a transformative leap forward.

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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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