Cyprus public sector performance evaluation system faces significant failures

The Public Service Commission (PSC) of Cyprus has released its 2025 annual report, revealing major failures in the public sector performance evaluation system introduced in 2023. Despite the implementation of a comprehensive reform, the average rating of civil servants has climbed to 9.12 out of 10, up from 8.74 in 2023 and 9.01 in 2024. The commission warns that this upward trend indicates a return to the problematic practices of the past, where nearly all employees were rated as excellent regardless of actual performance.

Only five ministries and government departments followed the evaluation guidelines strictly in 2025. The report highlights that evaluator training proved ineffective, leading the PSC to recommend a repeat of the training program and to consider potential disciplinary consequences for those who fail to comply with the established standards. Discrepancies were also noted where supervisors applied inconsistent criteria to the same employees during promotion processes.

Three years into the reform, the PSC expressed deep concern that warnings issued to General Directors and Department Heads last year were ignored. The commission emphasized that the evaluation process is critical, as it directly impacts promotion scores alongside experience and qualifications. Moving forward, the PSC is advocating for urgent adjustments to restore the integrity of the assessment system.