Form of Government: Republic
Area: 5 896 sq km
Population: 888 000 inhab. (estimate 2019)
Density: 150.61 inhab./sq km
Coordinates: lat. 36° - 34° N; long. 32° - 34° E
Capital: Nicosia=Lefkosía (capital) 55 014 inhab. (2011); Nicosia 269 469 inhab. (2018), urban agglomeration
Currency: euro (100 cents)
Human development index: 0.887 (rank: 33)
President and head of government: Nikos Anastasiades (DISY), since 28 February 2013, re-elected 4 February 2018
House of Representatives: seats based on the elections of 30 May 2021: DISY (Democratic Rally, conservative), 17; AKEL (Progressive Party of Working People, communist), 15; DIKO (Democratic Party), 9; EDEK (Movement for Social Democracy), 4; ELAM (National Popular Front, far-right), 4; DIPA (liberal-democratic centre), 4; Movement of Ecologists, 3
Internet: www.mof.gov.cy/mof/cystat/statistics.nsf (Statistical Service of Cyprus)
Member of Commonwealth, Council of Europe, EBRD, EU, OAS observer, OSCE, UN, WTO
Cyprus

International license plate code CY
International dialling code 00357
Travel vaccinations requirement none
Electricity (Voltage) 240
Driving side left
Internet code .cy
GMT +2
DST +3
DST duration (start-end) late March-late October
Annual average temperature (°C) Nicosia 19
Average temperature in January/July (°C) Nicosia 10/27.5
Daily sunshine hours in June/December (average) Nicosia 13/5
Annual average precipitation (mm) Nicosia 338
Days of rainfall (annual average) Nicosia 44

On 30 May 2021, the parliamentary elections were won by the democratic coalition DISY with 27.8% of the vote, down compared to 30.7% in 2016. Popularity is also waning for the main Communist opposition party, AKEL, (22.3% compared to 25.7% in 2016). The far right (ELAM) is up to 6.8%. After pro-Erdogan nationalist Ersin Tatar won the election and became President of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus, the prospect of resuming talks for the reunification of the island waned. In April 2021, nothing came of the talks between the parties under UN protection.
Geography.
The island of Cyprus lies in the eastern Mediterranean Sea, off the coasts of Syria and Turkey.
Two mountain chains cross it from east to west. They are separated by the Mesaria plain, which is criss-crossed by short watercourses. It has a Mediterranean climate.
Government
The island of Cyprus became an independent republic under the Anglo-Greek-Turkish treaty of 19 February 1959 (which brought British sovereignty to an end). According to the 1960 Cyprus Act, the island was to be jointly ruled by the Greek and Turkish communities but, as early as 1963, the Turkish Cypriot vice-president, ministers and deputies abandoned the country’s political institutions. In 1964, the UN was forced to send peacekeepers to the island. However, this was not enough to prevent the military junta then in power in Greece from staging a coup on 17 July 1974. There followed military intervention by Turkey, which seized control of the north of the island, creating the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus. In 2004, the UN plan to re-unify the island failed when a referendum was rejected in the Greek Republic of Cyprus (75.8% voting “No”), despite being approved in the Turkish Republic of North Cyprus (64.9% voting “Yes”). As a result, only the Greek Republic of Cyprus joined the EU (1 May 2004). The President of the Republic, who is also head of the executive, is elected by direct suffrage for a five-year term, as is the House of Representatives (80 members, though the 24 seats reserved for the Turkish community are not occupied).
Defence and justice.
The military defence lies in the hands of the National Guard. On the island there are a UN peace-keeping force and two British military bases.
Administrative division
District | AREA | INHABITANTS | YEAR |
---|---|---|---|
Famagusta=Ammóchostos | 200 sq km | 47 500 inhab. | 2017 |
Larnaca=Lárnaka | 1 051 sq km | 146 500 inhab. | 2017 |
DESCRIPTION | VALUE | UNITS | YEAR |
---|---|---|---|
Limassol=Lemesós | 101 000 | inhab. | 2011 |
Stróvolos | 67 904 | inhab. | 2011 |
DESCRIPTION | VALUE | UNITS | YEAR |
---|---|---|---|
Nicosia | 269 469 | inhab. | 2018 |
Limassol | 184 600 | inhab. | 2017 |
Population
Population by age and gender (% - 2020) | ||||||||
| ||||||||
MALE | AGE | FEMALE |
After partition in 1974, more than 180 000 Greeks moved to the south and 50 000 Turks moved to the North.
DESCRIPTION | VALUE | UNITS | YEAR |
---|---|---|---|
Birth rate | 10.8 | ‰ | 2019 |
Death rate | 7.1 | ‰ | 2019 |
DESCRIPTION | VALUE | UNITS | YEAR |
---|---|---|---|
Foreigners, total | 149 168 | units | 2018 |
DESCRIPTION | VALUE | UNITS | YEAR |
---|---|---|---|
Cypriot | 79.4 | % | 2011 |
other | 7.1 | % | 2011 |
DESCRIPTION | VALUE | UNITS | YEAR |
---|---|---|---|
Orthodox | 89.1 | % | 2011 |
Catholic | 2.9 | % | 2011 |
DESCRIPTION |
---|
English |
Greek (official) |
DESCRIPTION | VALUE | UNITS | YEAR |
---|---|---|---|
0-14 years | 15.7 | % | 2020 |
15-29 years | 20.8 | % | 2020 |
Economy
Economic situation.
The drop in GDP in 2020 (-5.1%) was mainly caused by the collapse of the tourism sector due to the effects of the global pandemic. The expected growth of 3% in 2021 is not enough to bring the country back to pre-crisis levels.
DESCRIPTION | VALUE | UNITS | YEAR |
---|---|---|---|
Agricultural prod. index (2004-06=100) | 78.59 | index | 2016 |
Agricultural prod. index (2014-16=100) | 105.7 | index | 2019 |
DESCRIPTION | VALUE | UNITS | YEAR |
---|---|---|---|
Active population | 451 600 | units | 2020 |
Active population, Females | 46.8 | % | 2020 |
DESCRIPTION | VALUE | UNITS | YEAR |
---|---|---|---|
Unemployment rate | 7.6 | % | 2020 |
Unemployment rate, Females | 47.1 | % | 2020 |
DESCRIPTION | VALUE | UNITS | YEAR |
---|---|---|---|
Expenses | 7 575.1 | M LCU | 2020 |
Revenues | 6 039.5 | M LCU | 2020 |
DESCRIPTION | VALUE | UNITS | YEAR |
---|---|---|---|
agriculture | 2.731 | % | 2020 |
industry | 19.502 | % | 2020 |
DESCRIPTION | VALUE | UNITS | YEAR |
---|---|---|---|
agriculture | 2.126 | % | 2020 |
industry | 14.148 | % | 2020 |
DESCRIPTION | VALUE | UNITS | YEAR |
---|---|---|---|
Currency in circulation | 2.841 | BN LCU | 2020 |
International reserves | 1 237.326 | M US$ | 2020 |
Agriculture
Primary sector.
The main crops are cereals (wheat and barley), vines, citrus fruits, fruit and potatoes.
Livestock farming is limited, whereas fishing is more lucrative, especially sponge-fishing.
DESCRIPTION | VALUE | UNITS | YEAR |
---|---|---|---|
arable land | 14.006 | % | 2018 |
forests | 18.684 | % | 2018 |
DESCRIPTION | VALUE | UNITS | YEAR |
---|---|---|---|
barley | 30.4 | 1000 t | 2019 |
cereals, total | 61.28 | 1000 t | 2019 |
DESCRIPTION | VALUE | UNITS | YEAR |
---|---|---|---|
potatoes | 82.1 | 1000 t | 2019 |
roots and tubers, total | 82.1 | 1000 t | 2019 |
DESCRIPTION | VALUE | UNITS | YEAR |
---|---|---|---|
artichokes | 1.29 | 1000 t | 2019 |
cabbages | 4.5 | 1000 t | 2019 |
DESCRIPTION | VALUE | UNITS | YEAR |
---|---|---|---|
beans, dry | 0.077 | 1000 t | 2018 |
beans, green | 1.19 | 1000 t | 2019 |
DESCRIPTION | VALUE | UNITS | YEAR |
---|---|---|---|
grapes | 22.76 | 1000 t | 2019 |
DESCRIPTION | VALUE | UNITS | YEAR |
---|---|---|---|
olives | 25.52 | 1000 t | 2019 |
DESCRIPTION | VALUE | UNITS | YEAR |
---|---|---|---|
groundnuts | 0.279 | 1000 t | 2018 |
sesame seed | 0.001 | 1000 t | 2018 |
DESCRIPTION | VALUE | UNITS | YEAR |
---|---|---|---|
tobacco | 0.111 | 1000 t | 2018 |
DESCRIPTION | VALUE | UNITS | YEAR |
---|---|---|---|
seed cotton | 0$ | 1000 t | 2017 |
DESCRIPTION | VALUE | UNITS | YEAR |
---|---|---|---|
linseed | 0$ | 1000 t | 2017 |
DESCRIPTION | VALUE | UNITS | YEAR |
---|---|---|---|
apples | 1.84 | 1000 t | 2019 |
apricots | 0.96 | 1000 t | 2019 |
DESCRIPTION | VALUE | UNITS | YEAR |
---|---|---|---|
almonds | 0.34 | 1000 t | 2019 |
hazelnuts | 0.02 | 1000 t | 2019 |
DESCRIPTION | VALUE | UNITS | YEAR |
---|---|---|---|
citrus fruits | 65.93 | 1000 t | 2019 |
citrus fruits, nes | 0.323 | 1000 t | 2018 |
DESCRIPTION | VALUE | UNITS | YEAR |
---|---|---|---|
avocados | 0.91 | 1000 t | 2019 |
bananas | 5.34 | 1000 t | 2019 |
DESCRIPTION | VALUE | UNITS | YEAR |
---|---|---|---|
mushrooms | 1.23 | 1000 t | 2019 |
DESCRIPTION | VALUE | UNITS | YEAR |
---|---|---|---|
barley | 11.58 | 1000 ha | 2019 |
oats | 0.22 | 1000 ha | 2019 |
DESCRIPTION | VALUE | UNITS | YEAR |
---|---|---|---|
potatoes | 3.88 | 1000 ha | 2019 |
taro | 0.06 | 1000 ha | 2018 |
DESCRIPTION | VALUE | UNITS | YEAR |
---|---|---|---|
artichokes | 0.06 | 1000 ha | 2019 |
cabbages | 0.12 | 1000 ha | 2019 |
DESCRIPTION | VALUE | UNITS | YEAR |
---|---|---|---|
beans, dry | 0.035 | 1000 ha | 2018 |
beans, green | 0.05 | 1000 ha | 2019 |
DESCRIPTION | VALUE | UNITS | YEAR |
---|---|---|---|
grape | 6.67 | 1000 ha | 2019 |
DESCRIPTION | VALUE | UNITS | YEAR |
---|---|---|---|
olive | 11.06 | 1000 ha | 2019 |
DESCRIPTION | VALUE | UNITS | YEAR |
---|---|---|---|
groundnuts | 0.074 | 1000 ha | 2018 |
sesame seed | 0.001 | 1000 ha | 2018 |
DESCRIPTION | VALUE | UNITS | YEAR |
---|---|---|---|
tobacco | 0.026 | 1000 ha | 2018 |
DESCRIPTION | VALUE | UNITS | YEAR |
---|---|---|---|
seed cotton | 0$ | 1000 ha | 2017 |
DESCRIPTION | VALUE | UNITS | YEAR |
---|---|---|---|
linseed | 0$ | 1000 ha | 2017 |
DESCRIPTION | VALUE | UNITS | YEAR |
---|---|---|---|
apples | 0.37 | 1000 ha | 2019 |
apricots | 0.18 | 1000 ha | 2019 |
DESCRIPTION | VALUE | UNITS | YEAR |
---|---|---|---|
almonds | 2.71 | 1000 ha | 2019 |
hazelnuts | 0.02 | 1000 ha | 2019 |
DESCRIPTION | VALUE | UNITS | YEAR |
---|---|---|---|
citrus fruits | 3.21 | 1000 ha | 2019 |
citrus fruits, nes | 0.031 | 1000 ha | 2018 |
DESCRIPTION | VALUE | UNITS | YEAR |
---|---|---|---|
avocados | 0.1 | 1000 ha | 2019 |
bananas | 0.21 | 1000 ha | 2019 |
Forests-Livestock-Fishing
DESCRIPTION | VALUE | UNITS | YEAR |
---|---|---|---|
timber | 9 366 | m³ | 2019 |
DESCRIPTION | VALUE | UNITS | YEAR |
---|---|---|---|
cattle | 73.97 | 1000 heads | 2019 |
cattle and buffaloes | 73.97 | 1000 heads | 2019 |
DESCRIPTION | VALUE | UNITS | YEAR |
---|---|---|---|
pigs | 351.92 | 1000 heads | 2019 |
DESCRIPTION | VALUE | UNITS | YEAR |
---|---|---|---|
sheep | 310.988 | 1000 heads | 2018 |
DESCRIPTION | VALUE | UNITS | YEAR |
---|---|---|---|
goats | 250.412 | 1000 heads | 2018 |
DESCRIPTION | VALUE | UNITS | YEAR |
---|---|---|---|
asses | 5.2 | 1000 heads | 2018 |
asses and mules | 6.7 | 1000 heads | 2018 |
DESCRIPTION | VALUE | UNITS | YEAR |
---|---|---|---|
birds | 2 758 | 1000 heads | 2019 |
DESCRIPTION | VALUE | UNITS | YEAR |
---|---|---|---|
honey | 0.66 | 1000 t | 2019 |
DESCRIPTION | VALUE | UNITS | YEAR |
---|---|---|---|
butter | 0.011 | 1000 t | 2017 |
cheese | 22.554 | 1000 t | 2018 |
DESCRIPTION | VALUE | UNITS | YEAR |
---|---|---|---|
crustaceans and molluscs | 61.13 | t | 2019 |
freshwater fishes | 20$ | t | 2019 |
Minerals
Secondary and tertiary sector.
A new and important natural gas field was discovered off the coast of Cyprus, joining Calypso and Aphrodite, which should be ready to be mined beginning in 2025. After the discovery, Italy, Greece, Cyprus and Israel signed an agreement for the Eastmed gas pipeline to Italy. A new pipe towards Egypt is also being planned.
There are many small and medium-size companies producing food, textiles, building materials and tobacco.
Tourism has recently suffered due to the effects of Brexit (a third of tourists are British) as well as the global pandemic. Cyprus has special tax laws which attract large amounts of foreign capital.
DESCRIPTION | VALUE | UNITS | YEAR |
---|---|---|---|
copper | 260 | 1000 t | 2018 |
DESCRIPTION | VALUE | UNITS | YEAR |
---|---|---|---|
bentonite | 83.1 | 1000 t | 2019 |
clay | 721.4 | 1000 t | 2018 |
DESCRIPTION | VALUE | UNITS | YEAR |
---|---|---|---|
marble - t | 3.7 | 1000 t | 2018 |
Energy
DESCRIPTION | VALUE | UNITS | YEAR |
---|---|---|---|
- thermal | 4 349.38 | M kWh | 2019 |
- other renew. | 515 | M kWh | 2019 |
DESCRIPTION | VALUE | UNITS | YEAR |
---|---|---|---|
- thermal | 1 517 | 1000 kW | 2018 |
- other renew. | 299.72 | 1000 kW | 2019 |
DESCRIPTION | VALUE | UNITS | YEAR |
---|---|---|---|
total net generation | 4 864.38 | M kWh | 2019 |
total installed capacity | 1 806.2 | 1000 kW | 2018 |
Industry
DESCRIPTION | VALUE | UNITS | YEAR |
---|---|---|---|
aluminium | 20$ | 1000 t | 2018 |
copper | 0.908 | 1000 t | 2018 |
DESCRIPTION | VALUE | UNITS | YEAR |
---|---|---|---|
petrol | 46$ | 1000 t | 2004 |
DESCRIPTION | VALUE | UNITS | YEAR |
---|---|---|---|
chlorine - l | 1 940 | 1000 l | 2006 |
soap | 0.41 | 1000 t | 2018 |
DESCRIPTION | VALUE | UNITS | YEAR |
---|---|---|---|
footwear | 35 900 | pairs | 2018 |
DESCRIPTION | VALUE | UNITS | YEAR |
---|---|---|---|
beer of barley | 43.924 | 1000 t | 2018 |
olive oil | 3.287 | 1000 t | 2018 |
DESCRIPTION | VALUE | UNITS | YEAR |
---|---|---|---|
cigarettes | 3 845.3 | M units | 2004 |
tobacco | 334 | t | 2005 |
DESCRIPTION | VALUE | UNITS | YEAR |
---|---|---|---|
cement | 1 358 | 1000 t | 2018 |
DESCRIPTION | VALUE | UNITS | YEAR |
---|---|---|---|
chemicals production | 174.426 | M US$ | 2018 |
food, beverages and tobacco production | 490.358 | M US$ | 2018 |
Trade
DESCRIPTION | VALUE | UNITS | YEAR |
---|---|---|---|
manufactures | 32.098 | % of goods exports | 2019 |
food products | 31.243 | % of goods exports | 2019 |
DESCRIPTION | VALUE | UNITS | YEAR |
---|---|---|---|
Greece | 323.4 | M US$ | 2010 |
Germany | 139.6 | M US$ | 2010 |
DESCRIPTION | VALUE | UNITS | YEAR |
---|---|---|---|
Greece | 1 615 | M US$ | 2010 |
Italy | 802.5 | M US$ | 2010 |
Tourism
DESCRIPTION | VALUE | UNITS | YEAR |
---|---|---|---|
Expenditures | 1 496 | M US$ | 2019 |
Number of arrivals | 3 977 000 | units | 2019 |
Communications
DESCRIPTION | VALUE | UNITS | YEAR |
---|---|---|---|
Civil aviation, km flown | 30 000 000 | km flown | 2005 |
Civil aviation, passengers carried | 395.4 | 1000 units | 2019 |
DESCRIPTION | VALUE | UNITS | YEAR |
---|---|---|---|
Broadband subscribers | 377.881 | per 1000 pop. | 2019 |
Computers | 383.4 | per 1000 pop. | 2006 |
Social and welfare
DESCRIPTION | VALUE | UNITS | YEAR |
---|---|---|---|
Expected years of schooling | 15.356 | years | 2018 |
Gradautes, percentage | 29$ | % | 2001 |
DESCRIPTION | VALUE | UNITS | YEAR |
---|---|---|---|
Students, primary level | 57 079 | units | 2018 |
Students, secondary level | 54 966 | units | 2018 |
DESCRIPTION | VALUE | UNITS | YEAR |
---|---|---|---|
Social protection spending | 31.044 | % of total expenses | 2019 |
Social protection spending | 18.1 | % of GDP | 2018 |
DESCRIPTION | VALUE | UNITS | YEAR |
---|---|---|---|
Hospital beds | 3.3 | per 1000 pop. | 2018 |
Physicians | 4.07 | per 1000 pop. | 2018 |
DESCRIPTION | VALUE | UNITS | YEAR |
---|---|---|---|
HIV | 0.1 | % of adults | 2017 |
HIV, total | 0.1 | % | 2001 |
DESCRIPTION | VALUE | UNITS | YEAR |
---|---|---|---|
Research and development spending | 0.63 | % of GDP | 2019 |
DESCRIPTION | VALUE | UNITS | YEAR |
---|---|---|---|
Access to clean fuels and technologies for cooking | 100 | % | 2019 |
Access to electricity | 100 | % | 2019 |
DESCRIPTION | VALUE | UNITS | YEAR |
---|---|---|---|
clothing, footwear | 4.6 | % | 2019 |
education | 3$ | % | 2019 |