Breaking news

Cyprus Labor Market Strengthens in Q1 2025: Lower Unemployment and Robust Employment Growth

by THEFUTURE.TEAM

May 29, 2025

Overview of Q1 2025 Trends

In the first quarter of 2025, Cyprus witnessed a favorable labor market shift as reported by the Cyprus Statistical Service (Cystat). The unemployment rate declined to 5.0%, with 26,161 individuals recorded as unemployed, compared to 29,102 in the same quarter last year. This positive movement is indicative of a broader economic adjustment in the region.

Labor Force Expansion and Demographic Insights

The total labor force increased to 519,433—a representation of 64.4% of the national population. Male participation reached 275,358 (69.8%), while female participation stood at 244,075 (59.3%). This marks an uptick from the 505,963 observed in Q1 2024, signaling an expanding pool of active job seekers contributing to the economy.

Follow THE FUTURE on LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram, X and Telegram

Employment Metrics and Sector Distribution

Employment figures also improved, with the number of employed persons rising to 493,272, corresponding to an employment rate of 61.2%. For the working-age group (20–64 years), the employment rate ascended to 80.0% from 78.5% in the previous year. Men maintained a stronger presence in the workforce at 85.5%, compared to 74.6% for women.

Sectoral analysis reveals that the services sector remains the dominant employer, engaging 81.1% of the workforce, while industry and agriculture accounted for 16.8% and 2.1% respectively. Full-time positions continued to dominate employment, representing 91.2% of the total, with part-time roles comprising the remaining 8.8%.

Insights on Employment Structure

An in-depth look at the employment structure shows that 90.3% of employed persons are employees, with 87.1% holding permanent positions. The share of self-employed individuals slightly declined to 9.7% from 10.4% the previous year, reflecting subtle shifts in workforce dynamics.

Youth and Later Career Perspectives

For young individuals aged 15–24, the unemployment rate fell sharply to 11.2% from 16.0% in Q1 2024. Meanwhile, those between 25–64 enjoyed a reduction in unemployment to 4.7%. Workers aged 55–64 maintained a stable employment rate around 70%, although gender disparities persisted, with men faring better than women.

Unemployment Duration and Future Outlook

Analysis by duration of unemployment reveals that a majority (61.3%) of job seekers have been unemployed for less than six months. In contrast, 23.5% are classified as long-term unemployed, suggesting areas where targeted policy interventions could further enhance labor market efficiencies.

Overall, the Q1 2025 figures highlight a resilient and gradually improving Cypriot labor market. As employment and participation rates continue to grow, policymakers and business leaders might view these trends as a positive signal of economic stabilization and potential for future expansion.

The Future Forbes Realty Global Properties

Call for Reform: Cyprus Faces New Challenges with Emerging Tobacco Products

by News Editor

May 31, 2025

In the face of a burgeoning variety of tobacco products, existing smoking laws in Cyprus are struggling to keep pace, as highlighted by Christos Minas, the president of the Cyprus National Addictions Authority (AAEK). On World No-Tobacco Day, there was a push for legislative reforms to comprehensively cover all tobacco forms, including non-nicotine alternatives.

Addressing Rising Trends with Effective Policies

Minas emphasized the surge in popularity of e-cigarettes and flavored products, particularly among the youth. The proposed legal updates aim to enhance enforcement efficiency against these emerging trends.

Follow THE FUTURE on LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram, X and Telegram

In collaboration with the World Health Organization’s (WHO) framework, the AAEK has established the first set of national guidelines for smoking cessation in Cyprus, crafting prevention and treatment strategies based on robust scientific evidence.

Educating Youth and Public Awareness Initiatives

Efforts are underway to raise awareness, with informative materials distributed to secondary schools across Cyprus. A public event in Nicosia highlighted the state’s ongoing commitment, providing carbon monoxide testing and expert advice on new tobacco products.

Recent data from the Cyprus general population survey 2023 indicates that 38% of smokers have used e-cigarettes recently, and the smoking initiation age remains at 18.

A Glimpse into Youth Smoking Patterns

According to the latest European school survey, 14% of Cypriot students aged 15-16 reported smoking traditional cigarettes last month. Although this rate is declining, Cyprus still ranks high in Europe for e-cigarette and hookah use among students.

The concern is global, with WHO reports showing over 37 million children aged 13-15 engage in tobacco use, driven by aggressive marketing in loosely regulated environments.

The urgency for reform is clear: before these trends solidify, proactive measures are necessary to protect future generations from potentially hazardous habits.