Cyprus Unemployment Trends: 7.6% Annual Increase Reflects Sectoral Shifts

Overview Of The Labor Market

According to the latest figures released by the Cyprus Statistical Service (Cystat), registered unemployment in Cyprus increased by 7.6% year-on-year in May 2026. While the overall number of registered unemployed declined compared with April, the annual comparison showed an increase from May 2025.

By The Numbers

The total number of registered unemployed persons at district labour offices stood at 7,936 on May 31, down from 8,962 in April. Compared with May 2025, however, the number increased by 558, rising from 7,378 to 7,936. Seasonally adjusted unemployment fell slightly to 10,476 in May from 10,516 in April. Previous monthly figures stood at 10,257 in March, 10,085 in February and 10,089 in January.

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Sectoral Influences And Analysis

Accommodation and food service activities recorded one of the largest annual increases in registered unemployment. The number rose to 1,177 in May 2026 from 934 in May 2025, although it declined from 1,986 in April. Administrative and support service activities also recorded an annual increase, rising to 431 from 337 during the same period. Every month, the figure fell from 519 in April.

Transportation and storage recorded 323 registered unemployed persons, compared with 264 a year earlier and 453 in April. Professional, scientific and technical activities reported 812 registered unemployed persons, up from 754 in May 2025 and broadly unchanged from 816 in April.

Divergent Trends In Other Sectors

Several sectors recorded lower unemployment levels compared with a year earlier. Construction declined from 426 registered unemployed persons in May 2025 to 366 in May 2026. Wholesale and retail trade, including the repair of motor vehicles and motorcycles, recorded a slight decrease from 1,400 to 1,380. Agriculture, forestry and fishing, together with water supply, sewerage, waste management and remediation activities, also reported lower figures. Manufacturing, financial and insurance activities, and real estate activities remained broadly stable.

Future Outlook

The latest data show differing trends across sectors, with accommodation and food services accounting for a significant share of the annual increase in registered unemployment. At the same time, construction, retail trade and several other sectors recorded lower unemployment levels compared with the previous year. Detailed labour market data are available through the Cyprus Statistical Service.

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Clive Owen Films Scorpion In Cyprus In One Of The Island’s Biggest Productions

by THEFUTURE.TEAM

July 13, 2026

Cyprus Secures Another High-Profile Production

Oscar-nominated British actor Clive Owen is filming Scorpion in Cyprus, a new action thriller from Copper Island that is understood to have one of the highest daily production budgets ever recorded for a film shoot on the island.

Filming began in Cyprus on July 6 and is scheduled to conclude later this month in Bulgaria. The production marks another high-profile international project to choose Cyprus as a filming location.

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A Cast Built For International Sales

Alongside Owen, the film stars Alex Pettyfer (Magic Mike, The Butler, The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare) and Reda Elazouar (Sex Education, The Family Plan). The cast also includes Ronan Summers, Jake Ryan, Mark Rhino Smith, Joey Ansah, Alex Cooke and Luke Bouchier.

The screenplay is by Richard Hughes and Bennett Fisher. Copper Island’s Matt Murphy, David Mansfield and Luke Bouchier are producing, while WestEnd Films is handling international sales. The company is expected to present the first footage at the Toronto International Film Festival in September.

A Survival Thriller

Scorpion follows Jason, a rookie police officer assigned to an elite special operations unit made up of Afghanistan war veterans. After arriving at an isolated farmhouse, the team is cut off from the outside world and given an ultimatum: every 30 minutes one member will die unless someone reveals the truth about a covert military operation carried out years earlier.

Cyprus’ Role In The Production

The production credited the Cyprus Film Commission for its support, with Copper Island founder Matt Murphy thanking both the commission and the local crew.

Owen also praised the experience of filming in Cyprus, describing the local crew as highly professional and highlighting the island’s diverse filming locations.

Copper Island Expands Its International Portfolio

Limassol-based Copper Island has worked on several international productions, including The Leader, which premiered at Tribeca, as well as Gus Van Sant’s Dead Man’s Wire and Ron Howard’s Eden.

The company is also supporting Cypriot productions, including Apart by Stelana Kliridou and The Well by Marios Piperides, which is completing post-production in Limassol.

Matt Murphy is also serving as executive producer of the upcoming Anxious People, starring Angelina Jolie.

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