Independent study confirms significant nursing staff shortages in Cyprus

A study conducted by Professor Yiannis Yfantopoulos on behalf of the Cypriot Ministry of Health has confirmed a critical shortage of nursing staff. The findings, which have been presented to members of parliament, highlight that the current deficit stands at 586 nurses, a figure that does not include the additional requirements arising from new legislation regarding palliative and home nursing care for the elderly and chronic patients.

According to the data, Cyprus had 6,272 nurses available in 2025 against a demand of 6,858. Projections indicate that the deficit will decrease to 411 by 2030, with 7,158 nurses available against a requirement of 7,569. A surplus is not expected until 2035, when the number of available nurses is projected to reach 8,263, eventually leading to an estimated surplus of 2,678 by 2055. The report was submitted in two stages, accounting for newly licensed hospitals at the start of the study.

The Cyprus Employers and Industrialists Federation (OEB) has responded by urging the government to take immediate action, including the recruitment of nurses from third countries. While the federation acknowledges that government incentives to attract nursing students are positive, it argues these will only yield results in four to five years, failing to address the immediate crisis threatening the quality of healthcare.