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Cyprus Real Estate Market Slows in August

The Cypriot real estate market showed signs of cooling in August 2024, marking a decline in activity after a period of sustained growth. Data reveals a notable slowdown in transactions, with the overall market experiencing a dip in sales and property transfers compared to previous months. This deceleration comes after a strong first half of the year, which saw robust demand in key regions, especially for high-value properties and new developments.

While the market experienced this summer lull, experts remain cautiously optimistic, noting that this trend aligns with historical patterns, as August is traditionally a quieter month for real estate due to seasonal factors. However, the slowdown also reflects broader economic challenges, including rising interest rates and inflationary pressures, which have begun to affect buyer sentiment and investment decisions.

Market Trends: The Eight-Month Snapshot

Despite the August slowdown, the real estate market over the first eight months of 2024 has largely been positive. Property sales and transfers increased during the initial part of the year, driven by both domestic and foreign investment. Demand for residential properties remained high, with luxury properties and developments in prime locations—such as Limassol, Paphos, and Nicosia—leading the way.

Data from the Department of Lands and Surveys highlights that, while August saw a reduction in transaction volumes, the overall market remained relatively resilient. The first eight months of the year saw a notable rise in the value of properties sold, suggesting that the high-end property segment continued to perform well. Additionally, certain regions, particularly Limassol and Paphos, managed to retain significant market momentum even during the quieter summer months.

Limassol, a hub for foreign investment and a hotspot for luxury developments, has consistently been one of the strongest-performing regions, attracting both individual buyers and investors seeking rental properties or high-end real estate. Paphos, known for its appeal to foreign retirees and holiday home buyers, also maintained steady demand, particularly from non-EU buyers taking advantage of Cyprus’ attractive property offerings and lifestyle benefits.

Regional Interpretation

While the overall market has slowed, certain regions continue to show resilience. Limassol and Paphos, in particular, remain key players in the market, with these areas seeing the highest levels of foreign interest. Limassol’s status as a business and investment hub, coupled with its array of luxury properties, continues to attract international buyers, particularly from the Middle East, Russia, and Europe.

Paphos also continues to hold strong appeal for foreign buyers, especially retirees and those looking for holiday homes. The district’s affordability compared to Limassol, combined with its high quality of life, makes it a popular choice for non-EU investors, who have been a consistent driver of demand in the region.

Cyprus Job Vacancies Fall 7% As Hiring Demand Softens

Cyprus’ job vacancy rate fell to 2.6% in the second quarter of 2026, down from 2.8% in the previous quarter and 3.3% a year earlier, according to data from the Statistical Service, or Cystat.

Vacancies declined by 975, or 7%, from 13,905 in the first quarter. The drop points to softer hiring demand, although several sectors continue to face staffing shortages.

Hospitality Records Highest Vacancy Rate

Accommodation and food service activities had the highest vacancy rate at 4.6%, reflecting continued demand for workers in one of Cyprus’ most labor-intensive industries.

Transportation and storage and administrative and support services followed at 3.5% each, while construction recorded a 3.1% vacancy rate. Wholesale and retail trade stood at 3%.

Hospitality And Trade Have Most Openings

Accommodation and food service activities also recorded the largest number of vacancies, with 2,827 positions. Wholesale and retail trade followed with 2,286, while construction had 1,330.

Professional, scientific and technical activities recorded 874 vacancies, followed by transportation and storage with 859, manufacturing with 854, and administrative and support services with 789.

Public administration and defense had 665 vacancies, while human health and social work activities recorded 572. Information and communication activities had 441 openings, and financial and insurance activities had 398.

Vacancy Rates Vary Widely Across Sectors

Manufacturing and human health and social work activities each recorded vacancy rates of 2.2%. Publishing, broadcasting and content production, information and communication, and public administration and defense each stood at 2%.

Water supply and waste management and professional, scientific and technical activities recorded 1.9%, while other services stood at 1.8%, financial and insurance activities at 1.7%, and arts, sports and recreation at 1.5%.

Education had a vacancy rate of 0.7%, while electricity supply and real estate activities each stood at 0.6%. Mining and quarrying recorded no vacancies.

What Counts As A Job Vacancy

Cystat defines a job vacancy as a paid position that is newly created, unoccupied or about to become vacant, where an employer is actively seeking an external candidate and intends to fill the role immediately or within a specified period.

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