Demographic shifts and declining birth rates in Cyprus

Cyprus is facing significant demographic challenges characterized by declining birth rates and an aging population. Statistical data from 1974 to 2024 shows that births peaked at 11,372 in 1992, followed by a decline to a low of 7,883 in 2002. Dinos Olympiou, head of the Pancyprian Organization of Large Families, reported that the population aged 0-14 dropped from 28.9% in 1973 to 15.3% in 2023, while the elderly population increased to 17.7%. The average number of children per woman has decreased from 2.45 in the 1980-1985 period to 1.43 today. Furthermore, the number of children from large families entering primary school dropped from 1,600 in 2004 to 500 in 2024. Factors contributing to this trend include economic pressures, career priorities, and shifting family lifestyle patterns. Experts warn that these demographic shifts represent a long-term challenge for the nation's social foundation.