Cyprus ranked among top five EU countries for income inequality

According to data released by Eurostat in October 2026, Cyprus has been identified as one of the five European Union member states with the highest levels of income inequality. The Gini coefficient, a primary metric for measuring income distribution, rose to 31.2 in 2025, up from 30.1 in 2024. This marks the third consecutive year that the index has increased for the country, even as the European average has shown a downward trend.

The opposition party AKEL has criticized the administration of President Nikos Christodoulides, arguing that the government's economic policies fail to distribute the wealth generated by the country's economic growth. Despite recording positive growth rates and fiscal surpluses, AKEL contends that this prosperity has not translated into improved living standards for the majority of citizens. The party asserts that the current economic philosophy, which it describes as a continuation of previous administrations, benefits only a select few while exacerbating the wealth gap.