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President Christodoulidis Champions Primary Sector Renewal In KOAP 2024 Report

The President of the Republic, Nikos Christodoulidis, has received the annual 2024 report from the Cypriot Agricultural Payments Authority (KOAP), underscoring the government’s unwavering commitment to strengthening the primary sector and enhancing its contribution to the nation’s GDP.

Renewed Focus On A Revitalized Primary Sector

During his address at the Presidential Mansion, President Christodoulidis welcomed KOAP Commissioner Andreas Kypriannou, highlighting the encouraging trend of increased participation by young farmers in agricultural programs administered by the Ministry of Agriculture in conjunction with KOAP. The President noted, “It is heartening to witness a new generation returning to agriculture,” emphasizing that such initiatives are not only revitalizing the primary sector but also boosting the country’s export potential.

Steering Through European Fiscal Initiatives

The President also touched on Cyprus’s forthcoming presidency of the European Union, where managing the new Multiannual Financial Framework will be paramount. Key priorities include safeguarding the core initiatives that directly benefit Cypriot citizens, such as the Common Agricultural Policy and the Cohesion Fund. His remarks underscored the critical importance of fully absorbing European funds, an area in which KOAP has achieved nearly a 100% performance record.

Enhanced Government Support For Farmers

Commissioner Kypriannou expressed gratitude for the robust government collaboration, which resulted in a 20% increase in subsidies for farmers in 2024. Forecasts suggest a further uplift to 25% in 2025. Since its inception, KOAP has disbursed a total of €2.27 billion in subsidies, reflecting a steady upward trajectory in support for the agricultural community.

Rapid Government Response In Times Of Crisis

The Commissioner also highlighted the government’s prompt intervention to mitigate damages following the catastrophic wildfire in the mountainous region of Limassol. He praised the agricultural community’s swift and impressive response, which played a pivotal role in the recovery efforts supported by targeted governmental programs.

Looking Ahead To International Collaboration

In an announcement of forward-looking international engagement, Commissioner Kypriannou revealed that he will soon travel to Denmark to receive the emblem of the forthcoming Conference of Agricultural Payments Directors, scheduled to be held in Cyprus in May 2026. President Christodoulidis is expected to attend the conference, signaling a strengthening of ties and cooperation in the agricultural sector both domestically and on the international stage.

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

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.

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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