Cyprus Sees Robust 9.5% Increase In Tourist Arrivals In February 2026

by THEFUTURE.TEAM

March 19, 2026

Robust Growth In February

Data from the Statistical Service reveals that Cyprus experienced a notable 9.5% increase in tourist arrivals during February 2026, with numbers rising from 133,760 in February 2025 to 146,516. This surge underscores a sustained recovery in the region’s tourism sector.

Early 2026 Performance Indicates Continued Momentum

For the combined period of January and February 2026, the total number of arrivals reached 268,141, compared to 245,860 in the same period last year. This 9.1% increase highlights the island’s growing appeal and robust performance as a top travel destination.

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Key International Markets Driving Growth

The United Kingdom led the influx, contributing 19.3% (28,217 arrivals) in February 2026, followed by Poland at 18.4% (27,003 arrivals) and Israel at 12.6% (18,530 arrivals). Greece (9.3% or 13,604 arrivals) and Germany (6.6% or 9,723 arrivals) also featured prominently.

Diverse Travel Motivations Among Visitors

Analysis of travel purposes indicates that 61.5% of visitors came to Cyprus for leisure, 21.6% visited friends or relatives, and 16.7% traveled for business. This distribution marks a modest shift from February 2025, where leisure travel stood at 60.3%, visits to friends or relatives at 20.4%, and business at 19.1%.

Surge In Outbound Travel Among Residents

Parallel to the increase in inbound tourism, outbound travel by Cypriot residents also surged. February 2026 saw 152,198 trips abroad, up from 124,232 in February 2025, representing a 22.5% growth. The predominant return destinations included Greece (30.8% or 46,902 trips), the United Kingdom (8.1% or 12,349 trips), Italy (4.2% or 6,382 trips), and Poland (4.1% or 6,287 trips).

Varied Purposes For Resident Travel

For Cypriot residents, leisure activities dominated outbound travel at 78.7%, followed by business engagements at 19.2%, academic pursuits at 1.5%, and other reasons at 0.6%. This diverse mix underscores a dynamic pattern of mobility among local travelers.

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Cyprus’ Poverty And Social Exclusion Risk Stands At 17.1%

by THEFUTURE.TEAM

October 20, 2026

Cyprus recorded a poverty or social exclusion risk rate of 17.1% in 2025, below the European Union average of 20.9%, according to new Eurostat figures. Across the bloc, however, more than 92 million people continued to face the risk, highlighting persistent social and economic inequalities.

More Than 92 Million People At Risk Across The EU

A total of 92.7 million people across the EU were at risk of poverty or social exclusion in 2025, equivalent to just over one in five residents.

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Cyprus is treated as a single statistical region because of its size, unlike many member states divided into multiple regions for comparison. Its national figure therefore provides an overall picture but does not capture differences between districts or communities.

Regional Gaps Remain Stark Across Europe

The risk varied considerably across the EU, with the highest rates concentrated largely in southern, eastern and outermost regions. In 24 of the 243 regions with available data, at least 31.5% of the population faced poverty or social exclusion.

These regions were located in Spain, Bulgaria, Greece, Italy, France and Romania, as well as Brussels in Belgium and Bremen in north-western Germany.

French Guiana recorded the highest rate, at 54.8%, followed by Calabria in southern Italy at 45.3% and Sicily at 44%. Melilla, a Spanish autonomous city, recorded 43.7%, while Réunion, another French outermost region, stood at 42.3%.

Central Europe Records The Lowest Rates

At the other end of the scale, 24 regions reported poverty or social exclusion risk rates below 13% in 2025. These included five eastern EU capital regions: Bratislava in Slovakia, Warsaw in Poland, Prague in the Czech Republic, Budapest in Hungary and Zagreb in Croatia.

Other regions with low rates were concentrated in northern Italy, the Czech Republic, northern Belgium, Hungary, Poland and Austria, illustrating the uneven distribution of economic security across Europe.

Cyprus Remains Below The EU Average

Cyprus’ rate of 17.1% places it below the EU average, although it remains higher than the levels recorded in the bloc’s lowest-risk regions.

The figures suggest that Cyprus performs relatively well compared with the wider EU, but poverty and social exclusion remain significant challenges across the bloc, affecting more than 92 million people.

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