Fuel Prices Set To Rise As Middle East Tensions Increase

Fuel prices in Cyprus are expected to increase at service stations over the next 10 days as geopolitical tensions in the Middle East affect international energy markets. Higher wholesale costs are beginning to filter through to retail pricing.

Supply Costs On The Rise

Savas Prokopiou, President of the Cyprus Fuel Station Owners Association, said fuel procurement costs for station operators have increased by approximately 10–12% since Friday.

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Retail prices are expected to adjust gradually as existing fuel stocks are replaced with higher-priced supplies. Prokopiou noted that the current increase remains more moderate than the sharp price spikes seen at the start of the Russia–Ukraine conflict in 2022.

Gradual Increases With Broader Implications

Over the past 15–20 days, wholesale prices have already risen by around 10%, with the latest geopolitical developments pushing increases to the 10–12% range. The trend reflects the sensitivity of fuel markets to disruptions affecting global oil supply and transport routes.

Market Outlook And Strategic Considerations

Prokopiou said current international crude prices remain below the extreme levels seen during previous energy shocks. According to his assessment, keeping oil prices below $80 per barrel would help limit further increases at the retail level. Market developments in the coming weeks will determine whether the recent price pressures persist or stabilize.

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Cyprus Expected Working Life Reaches 39.5 Years, Above EU Average

by THEFUTURE.TEAM

July 20, 2026

People in Cyprus are expected to spend 39.5 years in the workforce, around two years longer than the European Union average of 37.5 years, according to the latest Eurostat data for 2025.

The figure places Cyprus among the EU countries with the longest expected working lives.

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Cyprus Ranks Above EU Average

Only a handful of member states recorded higher figures than Cyprus. The Netherlands topped the ranking at 44 years, followed by Sweden at 43.4 years, Denmark at 42.6 years, and Estonia at 41.5 years.

At the other end of the ranking were Romania with 32.7 years, Italy with 33.0 years, Bulgaria with 34.6 years and Greece with 35.3 years.

Gender Gap Remains Wider Than EU Average

Men in Cyprus are expected to remain in work for 42.1 years, compared with 36.7 years for women. The gap of 5.4 years exceeds the EU average gender gap of 4.1 years.

Across the bloc, Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia were the only countries where women were expected to spend longer in employment than men. Finland recorded the smallest positive gender gap at 0.7 years.

Italy posted the widest gap at 8.9 years, followed by Romania at 6.9 years, Greece at 6.7 years and Malta at 6.3 years.

Working Lives Continue To Lengthen

Between 2016 and 2025, expected working life in Cyprus increased by 3.5 years, placing the country among the strongest performers in the EU over the period. Men’s expected working life rose by 3.3 years, while women’s increased by 3.6 years.

Across the EU, every member state recorded an increase. Malta posted the largest gain at 4.9 years, followed by Hungary and Ireland at 4.2 years each, and the Netherlands at 4.1 years.

Malta’s increase was driven largely by women, whose expected working life rose by 7.8 years, the biggest increase recorded across the bloc.

By comparison, Romania, Spain, Italy, Germany and Austria recorded gains of two years or less over the same period.

Women’s Working Lives Increase Faster Across Europe

Women’s expected working life increased faster than men’s in most EU countries. Denmark, Romania, Sweden and Greece were the main exceptions.

In Cyprus, gains for men and women were broadly similar, alongside Bulgaria, Belgium and Slovenia.

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