Eastern Mediterranean Gas Developments Set Stage For Strategic Shift Away From Russian Supplies

by THEFUTURE.TEAM

November 10, 2025

Discussions among energy ministers from Cyprus, Greece, Israel, and the United States have emphasized a strategic move to sever Europe’s dependency on Russian gas, according to Cypriot Energy Minister George Papanastasiou. The dialogue underscored Washington’s interest in eliminating Russian gas supplies in favor of diversifying energy sources.

US Strategy To Diversify Gas Supply

Cyprus is positioning itself as a pivotal hub in this transformation by planning to substitute Russian imports with natural gas from alternative sources, including American liquefied natural gas and reserves from the eastern Mediterranean region. The minister highlighted that a corridor connecting the US, Cyprus, and Israel could emerge as a critical supply route via the Greek port of Alexandroupoli.

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Complementary Deposits And Infrastructure Synergies

The Cypriot government is tapping into its substantial offshore gas deposits to complement regional supplies. Evidence of this strategic alignment lies in the recent agreements on the Kronos gas field situated in Block 12 of Cyprus’ Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ). With infrastructure already near Kronos, technical preparations are underway to integrate the field with Egypt’s Zohr gas field and channel gas to the Segas LNG terminal in Damietta for liquefaction.

Cross-Border Cooperation And Strategic Agreements

The forthcoming signing of an agreement by the Cypriot government and the consortium of Total Energies and Eni will mark a significant milestone. Despite the cross-border challenges, the proximity of existing infrastructure renders the Kronos project feasible. Additionally, a techno-economic study on the Aphrodite gas field is set to be finalized by the end of next year, with prospects for its gas to also be routed to Damietta for liquefaction.

Pipeline Developments And Broader Implications

Seabed surveys to determine an optimal route for a pipeline linking Cyprus’ EEZ to Egypt have commenced, aiming initially at exporting gas from the Aphrodite field. This initiative follows agreements involving Cyprus, Egypt, American multinational Chevron, Israeli energy firm NewMed Energy, and the BG Group of Royal Dutch Shell, which together have laid the framework for the commercialization of these gas assets. In a recent development, Egyptian officials confirmed that Cyprus’ natural gas is slated for European export via Egypt as soon as 2027.

The momentum behind these initiatives signals a decisive pivot in regional energy dynamics, poised to reshape supply chains and secure a strategic buffer against reliance on Russian imports.

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Cyprus Income Distribution 2024: An In-Depth Breakdown of Economic Classes

by THEFUTURE.TEAM

December 24, 2025

New findings from the Cyprus Statistical Service offer a comprehensive analysis of the nation’s income stratification in 2024. The report, titled Population By Income Class, provides critical insights into the proportions of the population that fall within the middle, upper, and lower income brackets, as well as those at risk of poverty.

Income Distribution Overview

The data for 2024 show that 64.6% of the population falls within the middle income class – a modest increase from 63% in 2011. However, it is noteworthy that the range for this class begins at a comparatively low threshold of €15,501. Meanwhile, 27.8% of the population continues to reside in the lower income bracket (a figure largely unchanged from 27.7% in 2011), with nearly 14.6% of these individuals identified as at risk of poverty. The upper income class accounted for 7.6% of the population, a slight decline from 9.1% in 2011.

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Income Brackets And Their Thresholds

According to the report, the median equivalent disposable national income reached €20,666 in 2024. The upper limit of the lower income class was established at €15,500, and the threshold for poverty risk was set at €12,400. The middle income category spans from €15,501 to €41,332, while any household earning over €41,333 is classified in the upper income class. The median equivalents for each group were reported at €12,271 for the lower, €23,517 for the middle, and €51,316 for the upper income classes.

Methodological Insights And Comparative Findings

Employing the methodology recommended by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), the report defines the middle income class as households earning between 75% and 200% of the national median income. In contrast, incomes exceeding 200% of the median classify households as upper income, while those earning below 75% fall into the lower income category.

Detailed Findings Across Income Segments

Upper Income Class: Comprising 73,055 individuals (7.6% of the population), this group had a median equivalent disposable income of €51,136. Notably, the share of individuals in this category has contracted since 2011.
Upper Middle Income Segment: This subgroup includes 112,694 people (11.7% of the population) with a median income of €34,961. Combined with the upper income class, they represent 185,749 individuals.
Middle Income Group: Encompassing 30.3% of the population (approximately 294,624 individuals), this segment reports a median disposable income of €24,975.
Lower Middle And Lower Income Classes: The lower middle income category includes 22.2% of the population (211,768 individuals) with a median income of €17,800, while the lower income class accounts for 27.8% (267,557 individuals) with a median income of €12,271.

Payment Behaviors And Economic Implications

The report also examines how income levels influence repayment behavior for primary residence loans or rental payments. Historically, households in the lower income class have experienced the greatest delays. In 2024, 27.0% of those in the lower income bracket were late on payments—a significant improvement from 34.6% in 2011. For the middle income class, late payments were observed in 9.9% of cases, down from 21.4% in 2011. Among the upper income class, only 3% experienced delays, compared to 9.9% previously.

This detailed analysis underscores shifts in income distribution and repayment behavior across Cyprus, reflecting broader economic trends that are critical for policymakers and investors to consider as they navigate the evolving financial landscape.

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