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Cyprus Unemployment Declines as Labor Force Expands In Q2 2025

Labor Market Overview

Cyprus has witnessed a decrease in unemployment, with rates falling to 4.3 percent in the second quarter of 2025 from 4.6 percent a year earlier, according to the latest figures released by the Cyprus Statistical Service (Cystat). The total number of unemployed individuals decreased from 23,760 to 22,663, with both genders experiencing shifts in their respective counts.

Robust Growth in Labor Force Participation

The labor market saw significant expansion as the labor force increased to 528,981, representing 65.4 percent of the total population, up from 511,423 (65.1 percent) in the previous year. Participation rates revealed gender-specific dynamics, with 71.1 percent of men and 60.0 percent of women engaged in the labor force.

Employment Figures and Sector Analysis

Overall employment rose to 506,318, equating to an employment rate of 62.6 percent. Men comprised 269,796 workers (68.3 percent), and women accounted for 236,522 (57.2 percent). This marks an increase from 487,663 total employed persons recorded a year earlier. Sector-wise data highlighted that the majority of the workforce was employed in services (81.2 percent), while industry and agriculture accounted for 16.6 percent and 2.2 percent respectively, mirroring trends from the previous quarter.

Insights Into Age Demographics

Employment rates by age underscored improvements among prime working-age individuals. Those between 20 and 64 years reported an 81.7 percent employment rate, rising from 80.1 percent. Specifically, 87 percent of men and 76.5 percent of women in this group were employed. The employment rate for individuals aged 55 to 64 was 71.5 percent, reflecting a modest improvement from 71.1 percent during Q2 2024.

Working Arrangements and Shifts in Employment Structure

The majority of employed individuals (90.6 percent) held full-time positions, while part-time employment accounted for 9.4 percent—an increase from 8.9 percent the previous year. Employees dominated the workforce with 90 percent overall, where permanent positions made up 85.7 percent and temporary roles represented 14.3 percent. Additionally, self-employment remained stable at 10 percent, indicating a consistent segment of the labor market.

Youth Unemployment And Duration Trends

Despite overall positive trends, youth unemployment remains a concern with 14.9 percent of individuals aged 15–24 out of work, marking an increase from 14.2 percent in the comparable quarter of 2024. For the broader age group of 25–64, unemployment eased to 3.7 percent from 4.1 percent. Additionally, a detailed look at the duration of unemployment revealed that 55.9 percent of job seekers had been unemployed for less than six months, 23.0 percent for six to eleven months, and long-term unemployment declined markedly to 21.1 percent from 34.5 percent previously.

Cyprus President Champions Domestic Defence Industry For National Security And Economic Growth

Government Commitment To Strengthen National Defence

The President of the Republic, Nikos Christodoulidis, reaffirmed the government’s intention to enhance the country’s deterrence capabilities while expanding the potential of the domestic defense industry. Speaking during a high-level meeting at the Presidential Palace with members of the Cyprus Defence Industry Council, he outlined a strategy that connects national security priorities with long-term economic development.

Performance Assessment And Strategic Objectives

In the presence of Defence Minister Vasilis Palmas, the meeting focused on evaluating the achievements of the council one year following its establishment and delineating the path ahead. The President recalled, “Last year, we decided to institutionalize the Cyprus Defence Industry Council. Today, we review our targets and assess what has been achieved and what remains pending. We discussed the need for a registry of Cypriot companies. It is crucial to amplify the international presence of our enterprises. I remain deeply confident in your capabilities,” emphasizing a performance-driven approach aimed at enhanced operational transparency and market expansion.

Positioning The Industry As A New Economic Pillar

President Christodoulidis expressed his firm belief that the Cypriot defence industry could emerge as a significant economic driver. He described it as a “promising new pillar” for the nation’s economy, bolstered by European initiatives such as the SAFE framework, supplementary equipment procurement plans from third countries, and participation in international trade exhibitions. Such strategies, he noted, open up further opportunities for local businesses to integrate into the global arms market.

International Outreach And Future Economic Impact

The President also pledged active support at an international level, citing his positive response to an invitation to Athens to engage in initiatives aimed at enhanced exposure and collaboration. He was confident that the industry’s contribution could realistically reach a double-digit share of Cyprus’ GDP in the coming years, a target he described as not only ambitious but entirely attainable given current capabilities.

Clear Vision For Measurable Progress

Concluding the meeting, President Christodoulidis reaffirmed his commitment: “I am fully aware of your potential. This is an emerging sector critical to both our economic future and our national security. Today, I expect us to review our concrete achievements, address the areas requiring improvement, and steer this initiative toward even greater success.” This decisive call for accountability and action underscores a broader strategic agenda that intertwines national defence imperatives with forward-looking industrial and economic policies.

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