Breaking news

Cyprus Removed from EU’s Macroeconomic Imbalance List – What This Means

EU Lifts Cyprus from Macroeconomic Imbalance List

Breaking News: The European Commission’s 2025 Spring Package confirms that Cyprus is off the list of countries with macroeconomic imbalances. This achievement stems from a consistent decrease in external and private debt vulnerabilities, bolstered by solid economic growth.

Nevertheless, Cyprus still faces challenges in areas like innovation and the green transition. According to a senior EU official, “Economic growth in Cyprus remains robust despite a volatile global landscape.”

Major improvements include public finances showing substantial surpluses and a swiftly declining public debt. Diversification efforts in Cyprus’ economy are finally yielding positive outcomes, complemented by enhanced performance across United Nations sustainable development indicators.

Yet, ten predominant challenges have been identified by the commission, warning of risks tied to increasing public expenditures and slight deviations from the fiscal trajectory set for 2025. A glaring issue is research and innovation investment, which falls short compared to the EU average, presenting a need for enhanced collaboration among universities, the financial sector, and businesses.

The commission suggests the development of Cyprus’s financial system beyond banking and emphasizes the need to raise financial literacy levels.

Moreover, Cyprus must intensify its push towards cleaner energy. The nation’s current over-reliance on fossil fuels and imported energy leaves it vulnerable. High electricity costs for domestic usage, alongside low environmental performance, underline the urgency for these reforms.

Notably, Cyprus stands as a low investor in climate change adaptation when set against the EU norm. Using resources from the Recovery and Resilience Facility, Cyprus could address these critical areas swiftly.

Looking to the future, Cyprus is urged to enhance its labor market conditions. Youth engagement in vocational training and education in STEM fields need nurturing to tackle skill mismatches.

Though recent economic achievements mark progress for Cyprus, the commission stresses the importance of continued vigilance and reform to ensure lasting stability and prosperity.

Cyprus Emerges As A Leading Household Consumer In The European Union

Overview Of Eurostat Findings

A recent Eurostat survey, which adjusts real consumption per capita using purchasing power standards (PPS), has positioned Cyprus among the highest household consumers in the European Union. In 2024, Cyprus recorded a per capita expenditure of 21,879 PPS, a figure that underscores the country’s robust material well-being relative to other member states.

Comparative Consumption Analysis

Luxembourg claimed the top spot with an impressive 28,731 PPS per inhabitant. Trailing closely were Ireland (23,534 PPS), Belgium (23,437 PPS), Germany (23,333 PPS), Austria (23,094 PPS), the Netherlands (22,805 PPS), Denmark (22,078 PPS), and Italy (21,986 PPS), with Cyprus rounding out this elite group at 21,879 PPS. These figures not only highlight the high expenditure across these nations but also reflect differences in purchasing power and living standards across the region.

Contrasting Trends In Household Spending

The survey also shed light on countries with lower household spending levels. Hungary and Bulgaria reported the smallest average expenditures, at 14,621 PPS and 15,025 PPS respectively. Meanwhile, Greece and Portugal recorded 18,752 PPS and 19,328 PPS, respectively. Noteworthy figures from France (20,462 PPS), Finland (20,158 PPS), Lithuania (19,261 PPS), Malta (19,622 PPS), Slovenia (18,269 PPS), Slovakia (17,233 PPS), Latvia (16,461 PPS), Estonia (16,209 PPS), and the Czech Republic (16,757 PPS) further illustrate the disparate economic landscapes within the EU. Spain’s figure, however, was an outlier at 10,899 PPS, suggesting the need for further data clarification.

Growth Trends And Economic Implications

Eurostat’s longitudinal analysis from 2019 to 2024 revealed that Croatia, Bulgaria, and Romania experienced the fastest annual increases in real consumer spending, each growing by at least 3.8%. In contrast, five member states, with the Czech Republic experiencing the largest drop at an average annual decline of 1.3%, indicate a varied economic recovery narrative across the continent.

This comprehensive survey not only provides valuable insights into current household consumption patterns but also offers a robust framework for policymakers and business leaders to understand economic shifts across the EU. Such data is integral for strategic decision-making in markets that are increasingly defined by evolving consumer behavior and regional economic resilience.

SWC Finals V
The Future Forbes Realty Global Properties
Uri Levine Course vertical

Become a Speaker

Become a Speaker

Become a Partner

Subscribe for our weekly newsletter