Cyprus reports significant poverty risks despite positive economic growth

On October 17, 2026, the PEO trade union highlighted persistent poverty and social inequality issues in Cyprus, coinciding with the World Day for the Eradication of Poverty. Despite positive national economic trends, the union noted that wealth growth is not reaching a large portion of the population, leaving many unable to meet basic daily needs.

Data from 2025 shows that 17.1% of the population, approximately 167,000 people, faced the risk of poverty or social exclusion. Furthermore, 14.9% of the population remains below the relative poverty line, defined as 60% of the national median disposable income. While the Cypriot rate is below the European Union average of 20.9%, vulnerable groups including single-parent families, retirees over 65, and working citizens struggling with the high cost of living remain significantly impacted. Severe material and social deprivation affects roughly 2.2% to 2.5% of the population.

Rising costs of energy and inflation continue to place immense pressure on household budgets. The union specifically noted that the current economic indicators often fail to capture the full scale of financial strain experienced by citizens, especially those facing housing insecurity.