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Cyprus Records Higher Government Debt Costs In 2025

Overview Of Eurostat Findings

New Eurostat data show that the apparent cost of gross government debt in Cyprus increased from 1.9% in 2024 to 2.0% in 2025. The figures form part of a broader analysis of government debt structures across the European Union, highlighting differences in borrowing costs and debt composition among member states.

Divergent National Approaches To Debt Structure

Eurostat noted that government debt profiles vary considerably across the EU in terms of maturity, financial instruments and ownership structures. At the same time, the currency composition of public debt remains relatively consistent in many member states.

Currency Expression Trends In European Debt

More than 99.5% of government debt in the euro area is denominated in euros. Outside the eurozone, countries such as the Czech Republic and Sweden issue more than 90% of their public debt in national currencies. Bulgaria and Romania were the only EU member states where more than half of government debt was denominated in foreign currencies. The share reached 75% in Bulgaria, including 71% in euros, and 53% in Romania.

Other countries with relatively high levels of foreign-currency debt included Hungary (32%), Poland (26%) and Denmark (24%).

Debt Cost Trends And Country-Level Variances

Eurostat data show that the apparent cost of government debt either increased slightly or remained stable in most EU member states between 2024 and 2025. Romania recorded the highest borrowing cost at 5.2%, followed by Poland at 4.5%, the Czech Republic at 3.1%, and Italy at 3.0%. Cyprus reported an increase from 1.9% in 2024 to 2.0% in 2025, remaining below the levels recorded in several Central and Eastern European economies.

Lower debt costs were reported in Ireland (1.4%), Luxembourg (1.5%), the Netherlands (1.7%) and Germany (1.8%). France, Finland and Sweden each recorded a rate of 1.9%, slightly below Cyprus. Although borrowing costs increased in many countries, seven EU member states recorded declines during 2025. Estonia registered the largest decrease at 0.8 percentage points, followed by Sweden at 0.3 percentage points and Croatia at 0.2 percentage points. The figures highlight the differing financing conditions across the European Union, reflecting variations in debt structures, refinancing needs and broader market conditions.

Cyprus Employment Rises 1.7% To 525,167 In Q2 2026

Cyprus employment increased 1.7% year over year to an estimated 525,167 people in the second quarter of 2026, according to the state statistical service, Cystat. Employees accounted for 472,254 of the total, while 52,913 were self-employed. The increase points to continued labor market growth across both wage employment and independent work.

Trade, Construction And Leisure Lead Employment Growth

Wholesale and retail trade, including motor vehicle and motorcycle repair, recorded some of the strongest employment gains, alongside construction and arts, entertainment and recreation.

Those sectors are closely linked to domestic economic activity, with trade reflecting consumer demand and construction reflecting investment. Employment growth in leisure-related industries also points to continued activity in consumer-facing services.

Hours Worked Rise Faster Than Employment

Labor input increased faster than headcount. Cystat estimated that employees and other workers put in 246.57 million hours during the second quarter, up 2.2% from a year earlier.

The increase suggests that businesses were not only employing more people but also recording higher total hours worked. Wholesale and retail trade, construction, and arts, entertainment and recreation again recorded the strongest gains.

Labor Market Expansion Remains Broad-Based

The combination of higher employment and hours worked points to continued expansion in Cyprus’ labor market during the second quarter. The pace remains moderate, but gains across several major sectors indicate that labor demand continued to support economic activity.

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