Cyprus Tech Sector Demands Urgent Reform In Informatics Education

Cyprus’ technology sector is warning that outdated informatics education could undermine the country’s ability to compete in the digital economy. Industry representatives argue that without substantial updates to school curricula, the education system may struggle to equip students with the skills required in a technology-driven labour market.

Rethinking The Curriculum In A New Digital Era

During the Teachers For STEM conference, organized by the Cyprus Computer Society (CCS), George Malekkos, president of the Cyprus IT Enterprises Association (CITEA), outlined the critical need to modernize the way informatics is taught. Malekkos stressed that the issue transcends traditional academic boundaries; it is a strategic economic imperative. In an era defined by artificial intelligence, data analytics, and automation, educational institutions must evolve rapidly to prepare students for the challenges of tomorrow.

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Unleashing The Full Potential Of Talent

Malekkos also pointed to the persistent underrepresentation of women in STEM careers across Cyprus. Despite progress in leadership representation within the technology sector, participation levels remain uneven. Expanding access to STEM education for women, he argued, would strengthen the country’s innovation capacity while helping to address growing talent shortages in the technology industry.

Collaboration As The Engine Of Change

Educators, according to Malekkos, play a central role in shaping students’ confidence, ambitions and digital skills. However, the pace of technological change has accelerated significantly, while curriculum reforms often take years to implement.

He stressed that stronger cooperation between the education system and the technology industry will be essential to keep programmes aligned with labour market needs. “Change will not come with words; it will come with collaboration,” he said.

CITEA has expressed its readiness to work with institutions, including the Cyprus Computer Society, universities, the Council of European Professional Informatics Societies and the Ministry of Education. Industry representatives say closer coordination between education and technology stakeholders will be critical to preparing the next generation of digital professionals in Cyprus.

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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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