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Cyprus Readies For Economic Growth Amid Major Infrastructure Investments And Rising Exports

The Central Bank of Cyprus projects economic growth between 2026 and 2028, supported by private infrastructure investment and export activity. Christodoulos Patsalides presented the outlook in the bank’s 2025 annual report.

Robust Economic Forecast

The report outlines baseline projections assuming a gradual de-escalation of geopolitical tensions. Growth is expected to slow from 3.8% in 2025 to 2.7% in 2026, before rising to 2.9% in 2027 and 3.1% in 2028. Inflation is projected to stabilize around 2% over the medium term under this scenario.

Inflation And Policy Outlook

Inflation is forecast at 2.7% in 2026, driven by higher energy, food, and input costs. Price growth is expected to ease to 2% in 2027 and increase slightly to 2.2% in 2028. The increase in 2028 reflects the impact of the expanded Emissions Trading System (ETS2) on fuel prices.

Infrastructure Investments And Export Drive

Christodoulos Patsalides said private infrastructure investment and export growth in services, including technology and finance, are expected to support domestic demand. Higher disposable income and labor market conditions are expected to support consumption. Tourism activity is projected to decline in 2026, with recovery expected from 2027.

Banking Sector Resilience And Governance Modernization

The banking sector reports non-performing loans at 1.6%, compared with the EU average of 1.8%. Capital and liquidity indicators remain within regulatory requirements. The Central Bank is considering changes to its governance structure, including a collective model aligned with European practices.

Outlook For Growth And Stable Labour Markets

GDP is supported by private consumption and investment, according to the report. Public finances show public debt below 60% of GDP, alongside improved credit ratings from international agencies. Unemployment is projected to stabilize at around 4.5% between 2026 and 2028, reflecting current labour market conditions.  Christodoulos Patsalides, Governor of the Central Bank of Cyprus, outlined structural reforms and policy measures aimed at maintaining price stability and supporting economic activity.

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.

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