Public service performance reviews raise integrity concerns in Cyprus

On October 9, 2026, the Public Service Commission (PSC) of Cyprus presented its 2025 annual report, revealing that the average performance rating for public servants reached 9.12 out of 10. The report, submitted to President Nikos Christodoulides, highlights a concerning trend where average scores have consistently increased since the 2023 civil service reform, echoing past practices where nearly all employees were rated as excellent.

PSC Chairman Georgios Papageorgiou described the assessment results as disappointing, suggesting a potential lack of integrity among supervisors in their evaluation processes. Conversely, the reforms have enabled advancement based on performance rather than seniority, with Papageorgiou noting that 70% of interdepartmental promotions in 2025 were merit-based. Auditor General Andreas Papaconstantinou attended the presentation and called for a formal investigation into the underlying causes of the high ratings, emphasizing that the numerical data indicates a deeper systemic issue.

While the commission continues to manage increased workloads and new testing procedures, the recurring trend of near-perfect scores challenges the effectiveness of the reform. Future steps likely involve a deeper probe into supervisory practices to ensure that performance evaluations remain objective and reflect actual productivity rather than inflated grading.