A former British colony, Cyprus became independent in 1960 after years of resistance to British rule. Tensions between the Greek Cypriot majority and Turkish Cypriot minority came to a head in December 1963, when violence broke out in the capital of Nicosia. Despite the deployment of UN peacekeepers in 1964, sporadic intercommunal violence continued and forced most Turkish Cypriots into enclaves throughout the island. In 1974, a Greek Government-sponsored attempt to overthrow the elected president of Cyprus was met by military intervention from Turkey, which soon controlled more than a third of the island. In 1983, the Turkish Cypriot administered area declared itself the “Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus” (TRNC), but it is recognized only by Turkey. A UN-mediated agreement to reunite Cyprus, the Annan Plan, failed to win approval from both communities in 2004. The most recent round of reunification negotiations was suspended in 2017 after failure to achieve a breakthrough.
The entire island joined the EU in 2004, although the EU acquis — the body of common rights and obligations — applies only to the areas under the internationally recognized government and is suspended in the TRNC. However, individual Turkish Cypriots able to document their eligibility for Republic of Cyprus citizenship have the same legal rights accorded to citizens of other EU states.TipVisit the Definitions and Notes page to view a description of each topic.Definitions and Notes
Geography
Location
Middle East, island in the Mediterranean Sea, south of Turkey; note – Cyprus views itself as part of Europe; geopolitically, it can be classified as falling within Europe, the Middle East, or both
Geographic coordinates
35 00 N, 33 00 E
Map references
Middle East
Area
total : 9,251 sq km (of which 3,355 sq km are in north Cyprus)
land: 9,241 sq km
water: 10 sq km
comparison ranking: total 169
Area – comparative
about 0.6 times the size of Connecticut
Area comparison map:
Land boundaries
total: 156 km
border sovereign base areas: Akrotiri 48 km; Dhekelia 108 km
Coastline
648 km
Maritime claims
territorial sea: 12 nm
contiguous zone: 24 nm
continental shelf: 200-m depth or to the depth of exploitation
Climate
temperate; Mediterranean with hot, dry summers and cool winters
Terrain
central plain with mountains to north and south; scattered but significant plains along southern coast
Elevation
highest point: Mount Olympus 1,951 m
lowest point: Mediterranean Sea 0 m
mean elevation: 91 m
Natural resources
copper, pyrites, asbestos, gypsum, timber, salt, marble, clay earth pigment
Land use
agricultural land: 13.3% (2022 est.)
arable land: 10.3% (2022 est.)
permanent crops: 2.8% (2022 est.)
permanent pasture: 0.2% (2022 est.)
forest: 18.7% (2022 est.)
other: 68% (2022 est.)
Irrigated land
269 sq km (2020)
Population distribution
population concentrated in central Nicosia and in the major cities of the south: Paphos, Limassol, and Larnaca
Natural hazards
moderate earthquake activity; droughts
Geography – note
the third largest island in the Mediterranean Sea (after Sicily and Sardinia)
People and Society
Population
total: 1,320,525 (2024 est.)
male: 675,196
female: 645,329
comparison rankings: total 158; female 157; male 158
Nationality
noun: Cypriot(s)
adjective: Cypriot
Ethnic groups
Greek 98.8%, other 1% (includes Maronite, Armenian, Turkish-Cypriot), unspecified 0.2% (2011 est.)
note: data represent only the Greek-Cypriot citizens in the Republic of Cyprus
Languages
Greek (official) 80.9%, Turkish (official) 0.2%, English 4.1%, Romanian 2.9%, Russian 2.5%, Bulgarian 2.2%, Arabic 1.2%, Filipino 1.1%, other 4.3%, unspecified 0.6% (2011 est.)
major-language sample(s):
Το Παγκόσμιο Βιβλίο Δεδομένων, η απαραίτητη πηγή βασικών πληροφοριών. (Greek)
The World Factbook, the indispensable source for basic information.
note: data represent only the Republic of Cyprus
Greek audio sample:
Religions
Eastern Orthodox Christian 89.1%, Roman Catholic 2.9%, Protestant/Anglican 2%, Muslim 1.8%, Buddhist 1%, other (includes Maronite Catholic, Armenian Apostolic, Hindu) 1.4%, unknown 1.1%, none/atheist 0.6% (2011 est.)
note: data represent only the government-controlled area of Cyprus
Age structure
0-14 years: 15.6% (male 105,533/female 100,099)
15-64 years: 70% (male 486,569/female 437,651)
65 years and over: 14.4% (2024 est.) (male 83,094/female 107,579)
2024 population pyramid:
Dependency ratios
total dependency ratio: 42.9 (2024 est.)
youth dependency ratio: 22.2 (2024 est.)
elderly dependency ratio: 20.6 (2024 est.)
potential support ratio: 4.8 (2024 est.)
note: data represent the whole country
Median age
total: 39.5 years (2024 est.)
male: 38.2 years
female: 41 years
comparison ranking: total 67
Population growth rate
0.95% (2024 est.)
comparison ranking: 95
Birth rate
10.2 births/1,000 population (2024 est.)
comparison ranking: 182
Death rate
7 deaths/1,000 population (2024 est.)
comparison ranking: 123
Net migration rate
6.3 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2024 est.)
comparison ranking: 13
Population distribution
population concentrated in central Nicosia and in the major cities of the south: Paphos, Limassol, and Larnaca
Urbanization
urban population: 67% of total population (2023)
rate of urbanization: 0.76% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.)
Major urban areas – population
269,000 NICOSIA (capital) (2018)
Sex ratio
at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female
0-14 years: 1.05 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 1.11 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.77 male(s)/female
total population: 1.05 male(s)/female (2024 est.)
Mother’s mean age at first birth
30 years (2020 est.)
note: data represents only government-controlled areas
Maternal mortality ratio
68 deaths/100,000 live births (2020 est.)
comparison ranking: 89
Infant mortality rate
total: 8.1 deaths/1,000 live births (2024 est.)
male: 9.7 deaths/1,000 live births
female: 6.4 deaths/1,000 live births
comparison ranking: total 144
Life expectancy at birth
total population: 80.2 years (2024 est.)
male: 77.4 years
female: 83.1 years
comparison ranking: total population 56
Total fertility rate
1.49 children born/woman (2024 est.)
comparison ranking: 203
Gross reproduction rate
0.73 (2024 est.)
Contraceptive prevalence rate
NA
Drinking water source
improved:
urban: 99.7% of population
rural: 99.8% of population
total: 99.8% of population
unimproved:
urban: 0.3% of population
rural: 0.2% of population
total: 0.2% of population (2020 est.)
Health expenditure
9.4% of GDP (2021)
18.3% of national budget (2022 est.)
Physician density
3.56 physicians/1,000 population (2022)
Hospital bed density
2.2 beds/1,000 population (2019 est.)
Sanitation facility access
improved:
urban: 99.7% of population
rural: 98.8% of population
total: 99.4% of population
unimproved:
urban: 0.3% of population
rural: 1.2% of population
total: 0.6% of population (2020 est.)
Obesity – adult prevalence rate
21.8% (2016)
comparison ranking: 84
Alcohol consumption per capita
total: 9.59 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)
beer: 2.85 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)
wine: 2.72 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)
spirits: 4.02 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)
other alcohols: 0 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)
comparison ranking: total 26
Tobacco use
total: 33.1% (2025 est.)
male: 44.1% (2025 est.)
female: 22.2% (2025 est.)
comparison ranking: total 13
Currently married women (ages 15-49)
54.5% (2023 est.)
Education expenditure
5.1% of GDP (2022 est.)
13.2% national budget (2022 est.)
comparison ranking: Education expenditure (% GDP) 59
Literacy
total population: 99.4%
male: 99.6%
female: 99.2% (2021)
School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education)
total: 16 years
male: 16 years
female: 16 years (2020)
People – note
demographic data for Cyprus represent the population of the government-controlled area and the area administered by Turkish Cypriots, unless otherwise indicated
Environment
Environment – current issues
scarce water resources; salination; water pollution from sewage, industrial wastes, and pesticides; coastal degradation; erosion; loss of wildlife habitats from urbanization
Environment – international agreements
party to: Air Pollution, Air Pollution-Heavy Metals, Air Pollution-Multi-effect Protocol, Air Pollution-Nitrogen Oxides, Air Pollution-Persistent Organic Pollutants, Air Pollution-Sulphur 94, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Climate Change-Paris Agreement, Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping-London Convention, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 2006, Wetlands, Whaling
signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements
Climate
temperate; Mediterranean with hot, dry summers and cool winters
Land use
agricultural land: 13.3% (2022 est.)
arable land: 10.3% (2022 est.)
permanent crops: 2.8% (2022 est.)
permanent pasture: 0.2% (2022 est.)
forest: 18.7% (2022 est.)
other: 68% (2022 est.)
Urbanization
urban population: 67% of total population (2023)
rate of urbanization: 0.76% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.)
Air pollutants
particulate matter emissions: 14.52 micrograms per cubic meter (2019 est.)
carbon dioxide emissions: 6.63 megatons (2016 est.)
methane emissions: 0.86 megatons (2020 est.)
Waste and recycling
municipal solid waste generated annually: 541,000 tons (2015 est.)
municipal solid waste recycled annually: 72,007 tons (2015 est.)
percent of municipal solid waste recycled: 13.3% (2015 est.)
Total water withdrawal
municipal: 100 million cubic meters (2020 est.)
industrial: 20 million cubic meters (2020 est.)
agricultural: 170 million cubic meters (2020 est.)
Total renewable water resources
780 million cubic meters (2020 est.)
Geoparks
total global geoparks and regional networks: 1
global geoparks and regional networks: Troodos (2023)
Government
Country name
conventional long form: Republic of Cyprus
conventional short form: Cyprus
local long form: Kypriaki Dimokratia (Greek)/ Kibris Cumhuriyeti (Turkish)
local short form: Kypros (Greek)/ Kibris (Turkish)
etymology: the Greek name for the island is Kupros, which is probably derived from the Sumerian kabar, meaning “copper” or “bronze;” copper mines were located on the island in antiquity
note: the Turkish Cypriot community, which administers the northern part of the island, refers to itself as the “Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus” or “TRNC” (“Kuzey Kibris Turk Cumhuriyeti” or “KKTC”)
Government type
Republic of Cyprus – presidential republic; self-declared “Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus” (TRNC) – parliamentary republic with enhanced presidency
note: a separation of the two main ethnic communities inhabiting the island began following the outbreak of communal strife in 1963; this separation was further solidified when a Greek military-junta-supported coup attempt prompted the Turkish military intervention in July 1974 that gave the Turkish Cypriots de facto control in the north; Greek Cypriots control the only internationally recognized government on the island; on 15 November 1983, then Turkish Cypriot “President” Rauf DENKTAS declared independence and the formation of the “TRNC,” which is recognized only by Turkey
Capital
name: Nicosia (Lefkosia/Lefkosa)
geographic coordinates: 35 10 N, 33 22 E
time difference: UTC+2 (7 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time)
daylight saving time: +1hr, begins last Sunday in March; ends last Sunday in October
etymology: may have been named after Nike, the Greek goddess of victory; the Greek name for the city, Lefkosia, and the Turkish name, Lefkosa, both mean “White City”
Administrative divisions
6 districts; Ammochostos (Famagusta; all but a small part located in the Turkish Cypriot community), Keryneia (Kyrenia; the only district located entirely in the Turkish Cypriot community), Larnaka (Larnaca; with a small part located in the Turkish Cypriot community), Lefkosia (Nicosia; a small part administered by Turkish Cypriots), Lemesos (Limassol), Pafos (Paphos)
note: the 5 “districts” of the “Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus” are Gazimagusa (Famagusta), Girne (Kyrenia), Guzelyurt (Morphou), Iskele (Trikomo), Lefkosa (Nicosia)
Legal system
mixed system of English common law and civil law, with European law supremacy
Constitution
history: ratified 16 August 1960
amendment process: constitution of the Republic of Cyprus — proposed by the House of Representatives; passage requires at least two-thirds majority vote of the total membership of the “Greek Community” and the “Turkish Community”; however, all seats of Turkish Cypriot members have remained vacant since 1964
constitution of the “Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus” — proposed by at least 10 members of the “Assembly of the Republic”; passage requires at least two-thirds majority vote of the total Assembly membership and approval by referendum
note: in 1963, the constitution was partly suspended as Turkish Cypriots withdrew from the government; Turkish-held territory in 1983 was declared the “Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus” (“TRNC”); in 1985, the “TRNC” approved its own constitution
International law organization participation
accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction with reservations; accepts ICCt jurisdiction
Citizenship
citizenship by birth: no
citizenship by descent only: at least one parent must be a citizen of Cyprus
dual citizenship recognized: yes
residency requirement for naturalization: 7 years
Suffrage
18 years of age; universal
Executive branch
chief of state: President Nikos CHRISTODOULIDIS (since 28 February 2023)
head of government: President Nikos CHRISTODOULIDIS (since 28 February 2023)
cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the president
election/appointment process: president directly elected by absolute-majority popular vote in 2 rounds, if needed, for a 5-year term (limited to 2 consecutive terms)
most recent election date: 5 February 2023, with a runoff on 12 February 2023
election results:
2023: Nikos CHRISTODOULIDIS elected president in second round; percent of vote in first round – Nikos CHRISTODOULIDIS (independent) 32%, Andreas MAVROGIANNIS (independent) 29.6%, Averof NEOFYTOU (DISY) 26.1%, Christos CHRISTOU (ELAM) 6%, other 6.3%; percent of vote in second round – Nikos CHRISTODOULIDS 52%, Andreas MAVROGIANNIS 48%
2018: Nikos ANASTASIADIS reelected president in second round; percent of vote in first round – Nikos ANASTASIADIS (DISY) 35.5%, Stavros MALAS (AKEL) 30.2%, Nicolas PAPADOPOULOS (DIKO) 25.7%, other 8.6%; percent of vote in second round – Nikos ANASTASIADIS 56%, Stavros MALAS 44%
expected date of next election: 2028
note 1: vice presidency reserved for a Turkish Cypriot, but the post has been vacant since 1974 because Turkish Cypriots do not participate in the Republic of Cyprus Government
note 2: under the 1960 constitution, 3 ministerial posts are reserved for Turkish Cypriots, appointed by the vice president, but Greek Cypriots currently hold the positions
Legislative branch
legislature name: House of Representatives (Vouli Antiprosopon)
legislative structure: unicameral
number of seats: 80 (all directly elected)
electoral system: proportional representation
scope of elections: full renewal
term in office: 5 years
most recent election date: 5/30/2021
parties elected and seats per party: Democratic Rally (DISY) (17); Progressive Party of the Working People (AKEL) (15); Democratic Party (DIKO) (9); National Popular Front (ELAM) (4); Movement of Social Democrats (EDEK) (4); Democratic Alignment (DIPA) (4); Cyprus Green Party (KOP) (3)
percentage of women in chamber: 14.3%
expected date of next election: May 2026
note: the area of Cyprus that Turkish Cypriots administer has a separate unicameral Assembly of the Republic, or Cumhuriyet Meclisi (50 seats); members are directly elected in multi-seat constituencies by proportional representation vote
Judicial branch
highest court(s): Supreme Court of Cyprus (consists of 13 judges, including the court president)
judge selection and term of office: Republic of Cyprus Supreme Court judges appointed by the president of the republic on the recommendation of the Supreme Court judges; judges can serve until age 68; “TRNC Supreme Court” judges appointed by the “Supreme Council of Judicature,” a 12-member body of judges, the attorney general, appointees by the president of the “TRNC,” and by the “Legislative Assembly,” and members elected by the bar association; judge tenure NA
subordinate courts: Republic of Cyprus district courts; Assize Courts; Administrative Court; specialized courts for issues relating to family, industrial disputes, the military, and rent control; “TRNC Assize Courts”; “TNRC district and family courts”
note: the highest court in the TRNC is the Supreme Court (consists of 8 judges, including the court president)
Political parties
area under government control:
Democratic Front or DIPA
Democratic Party or DIKO
Democratic Rally or DISY
Movement of Ecologists – Citizens’ Alliance
Movement of Social Democrats EDEK
National Popular Front or ELAM
Progressive Party of the Working People or AKEL (Communist Party)
Solidarity Movement
area administered by Turkish Cypriots:
Communal Democracy Party or TDP
Communal Liberation Party – New Forces or TKP-YG
Cyprus Socialist Party or KSP
Democratic Party or DP
National Democratic Party or NDP
National Unity Party or UBP
New Cyprus Party or YKP
People’s Party or HP
Rebirth Party or YDP
Republican Turkish Party or CTP
United Cyprus Party or BKP
Diplomatic representation in the US
chief of mission: Ambassador Evangelos SAVVA (since 15 September 2023)
chancery: 2211 R Street NW, Washington, DC 20008
telephone: [1] (202) 462-5772
FAX: [1] (202) 483-6710
email address and website:
[email protected]
https://www.cyprusembassy.net/
consulate(s) general: New York
honorary consulate(s): Atlanta, Chicago, Houston, Kirkland (WA), Los Angeles, New Orleans, San Francisco
Diplomatic representation from the US
chief of mission: Ambassador Julie D. FISHER (since 21 February 2023)
embassy: Metochiou and Ploutarchou Street, 2407, Engomi, Nicosia
mailing address: 5450 Nicosia Place, Washington DC 20521-5450
telephone: [357] (22) 393939
FAX: [357] (22) 780944
email address and website:
[email protected]
https://cy.usembassy.gov/
International organization participation
Australia Group, C, CD, CE, EBRD, ECB, EIB, EMU, EU, FAO, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC (national committees), ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, ITUC (NGOs), MIGA, NAM, NSG, OAS (observer), OIF, OPCW, OSCE, PCA, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNIFIL, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WFTU (NGOs), WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO
Independence
16 August 1960 (from the UK)
note: Turkish Cypriots proclaimed self-rule on 13 February 1975 and independence in 1983, but only Turkey recognizes these proclamations
National holiday
Independence Day, 1 October (1960); note – Turkish Cypriots celebrate 15 November (1983) as “Republic Day”
Flag description
a copper-colored silhouette of the island is centered on a white field above two crossed green olive branches, which symbolize the hope for peace and reconciliation between the Greek and Turkish communities
note: one of only two national flags that uses a map as a design element; the flag of Kosovo is the other
note: the “Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus” flag retains the white field of the Cyprus national flag but displays narrow horizontal red stripes positioned a small distance from the top and bottom edges, with a red crescent and a red five-pointed star between them; the banner is modeled after the Turkish national flag, but with the colors reversed
National symbol(s)
Cypriot mouflon (wild sheep), white dove
National color(s)
blue, white
National anthem
name: “Ymnos eis tin Eleftherian” (Hymn to Liberty)
lyrics/music: Dionysios SOLOMOS/Nikolaos MANTZAROS
note: adopted 1960; Cyprus adopted the Greek national anthem as its own; the Turkish Cypriot community in Cyprus uses the anthem of Turkey
National heritage
total World Heritage Sites: 3 (all cultural)
selected World Heritage Site locales: Paphos; Painted Churches in the Troodos Region; Choirokoitia
Economy
Economic overview
services-based, high-income EU island economy; heavy tourism; sustained growth between recovery of national banking system and COVID-19 trade restrictions; high living standards; a known financial hub, its stock exchange functions as an investment bridge between EU-and EEU-member countries
note: Even though the whole of the island is part of the EU, implementation of the EU “acquis communautaire” has been suspended in the area administered by Turkish Cypriots, known locally as the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus, until political conditions permit the reunification of the island. Its market-based economy is roughly one-fifth the size of its southern neighbor and is likewise dominated by the service sector with a large portion of the population employed by the government. Manufacturing is limited mainly to food and beverages, furniture and fixtures, construction materials, metal and non-metal products, textiles and clothing. Little trade exists with the Republic of Cyprus outside of construction, historically relying heavily upon Turkey for financial aid, defense, telecommunications, utilities, and postal services. The Turkish Lira is the preferred currency, though foreign currencies are widely accepted in business transactions.
Real GDP (purchasing power parity)
$49.526 billion (2023 est.)
$48.266 billion (2022 est.)
$44.955 billion (2021 est.)
note: data in 2021 dollars
comparison ranking: 127
Real GDP growth rate
2.61% (2023 est.)
7.37% (2022 est.)
9.91% (2021 est.)
note: annual GDP % growth based on constant local currency
comparison ranking: 121
Real GDP per capita
$53,400 (2023 est.)
$52,900 (2022 est.)
$49,900 (2021 est.)
note: data in 2021 dollars
comparison ranking: 38
GDP (official exchange rate)
$33.887 billion (2023 est.)
note: data in current dollars at official exchange rate
Inflation rate (consumer prices)
1.8% (2024 est.)
3.5% (2023 est.)
8.4% (2022 est.)
note: annual % change based on consumer prices
comparison ranking: 52
GDP – composition, by sector of origin
agriculture: 1.2% (2023 est.)
industry: 10.5% (2023 est.)
services: 76.6% (2023 est.)
note: figures may not total 100% due to non-allocated consumption not captured in sector-reported data
comparison rankings: services 22; industry 190; agriculture 178
GDP – composition, by end use
household consumption: 59.7% (2023 est.)
government consumption: 18.6% (2023 est.)
investment in fixed capital: 21.2% (2023 est.)
investment in inventories: -0.7% (2023 est.)
exports of goods and services: 97% (2023 est.)
imports of goods and services: -95.8% (2023 est.)
note: figures may not total 100% due to rounding or gaps in data collection
Agricultural products
milk, potatoes, sheep milk, pork, goat milk, wheat, chicken, olives, grapes, barley (2023)
note: top ten agricultural products based on tonnage
Industries
tourism, food and beverage processing, cement and gypsum, ship repair and refurbishment, textiles, light chemicals, metal products, wood, paper, stone and clay products
note: area administered by Turkish Cypriots – foodstuffs, textiles, clothing, ship repair, clay, gypsum, copper, furniture
Industrial production growth rate
3.11% (2023 est.)
note: annual % change in industrial value added based on constant local currency
comparison ranking: 101
Labor force
772,300 (2024 est.)
note: number of people ages 15 or older who are employed or seeking work
comparison ranking: 154
Unemployment rate
5.6% (2024 est.)
6.1% (2023 est.)
6.8% (2022 est.)
note: % of labor force seeking employment
comparison ranking: 117
Youth unemployment rate (ages 15-24)
total: 15.6% (2024 est.)
male: 17.4% (2024 est.)
female: 13.7% (2024 est.)
note: % of labor force ages 15-24 seeking employment
comparison ranking: total 84
Population below poverty line
13.9% (2021 est.)
note: % of population with income below national poverty line
Gini Index coefficient – distribution of family income
31.3 (2021 est.)
note: index (0-100) of income distribution; higher values represent greater inequality
comparison ranking: 118
Household income or consumption by percentage share
lowest 10%: 3.5% (2021 est.)
highest 10%: 25.7% (2021 est.)
note: % share of income accruing to lowest and highest 10% of population
Remittances
1.83% of GDP (2023 est.)
1.69% of GDP (2022 est.)
2.06% of GDP (2021 est.)
note: personal transfers and compensation between resident and non-resident individuals/households/entities
Budget
revenues: $11.644 billion (2022 est.)
expenditures: $10.765 billion (2022 est.)
note: central government revenues (excluding grants) and expenses converted to US dollars at average official exchange rate for year indicated
Public debt
97.5% of GDP (2017 est.)
note: data cover general government debt and include debt instruments issued (or owned) by government entities other than the treasury; the data include treasury debt held by foreign entities; the data exclude debt issued by subnational entities, as well as intragovernmental debt; intragovernmental debt consists of treasury borrowings from surpluses in the social funds, such as for retirement, medical care, and unemployment
comparison ranking: 24
Taxes and other revenues
24.1% (of GDP) (2023 est.)
note: central government tax revenue as a % of GDP
comparison ranking: 51
Current account balance
-$3.194 billion (2023 est.)
-$1.709 billion (2022 est.)
-$1.655 billion (2021 est.)
note: balance of payments – net trade and primary/secondary income in current dollars
comparison ranking: 169
Exports
$32.876 billion (2023 est.)
$31.552 billion (2022 est.)
$27.491 billion (2021 est.)
note: balance of payments – exports of goods and services in current dollars
comparison ranking: 79
Exports – partners
Libya 14%, Greece 11%, Lebanon 8%, Bermuda 7%, Marshall Islands 5% (2023)
note: top five export partners based on percentage share of exports
Exports – commodities
ships, refined petroleum, packaged medicine, cheese, scented mixtures (2023)
note: top five export commodities based on value in dollars
Imports
$32.441 billion (2023 est.)
$30.593 billion (2022 est.)
$26.1 billion (2021 est.)
note: balance of payments – imports of goods and services in current dollars
comparison ranking: 77
Imports – partners
Greece 20%, UK 10%, Italy 7%, Turkey 6%, Spain 6% (2023)
note: top five import partners based on percentage share of imports
Imports – commodities
refined petroleum, ships, cars, packaged medicine, coal tar oil (2023)
note: top five import commodities based on value in dollars
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold
$921.269 million (2024 est.)
$1.789 billion (2023 est.)
$1.671 billion (2022 est.)
note: holdings of gold (year-end prices)/foreign exchange/special drawing rights in current dollars
comparison ranking: 150
Exchange rates
euros (EUR) per US dollar –
Exchange rates:
0.924 (2024 est.)
0.925 (2023 est.)
0.95 (2022 est.)
0.845 (2021 est.)
0.876 (2020 est.)
Energy
Electricity access
electrification – total population: 100% (2022 est.)
Electricity
installed generating capacity: 2.288 million kW (2023 est.)
consumption: 5.197 billion kWh (2023 est.)
transmission/distribution losses: 146.11 million kWh (2023 est.)
comparison rankings: transmission/distribution losses 55; consumption 129; installed generating capacity 118
Electricity generation sources
fossil fuels: 79.1% of total installed capacity (2023 est.)
solar: 16% of total installed capacity (2023 est.)
wind: 3.9% of total installed capacity (2023 est.)
biomass and waste: 1% of total installed capacity (2023 est.)
Coal
consumption: 46,000 metric tons (2023 est.)
exports: 71.6 metric tons (2022 est.)
imports: 22,000 metric tons (2023 est.)
Petroleum
refined petroleum consumption: 45,000 bbl/day (2023 est.)
Carbon dioxide emissions
6.837 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2023 est.)
from coal and metallurgical coke: 100,000 metric tonnes of CO2 (2023 est.)
from petroleum and other liquids: 6.737 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2023 est.)
comparison ranking: total emissions 126
Energy consumption per capita
107.188 million Btu/person (2023 est.)
comparison ranking: 42
Communications
Telephones – fixed lines
total subscriptions: 270,000 (2023 est.)
subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 29 (2023 est.)
comparison ranking: total subscriptions 110
Telephones – mobile cellular
total subscriptions: 1.43 million (2023 est.)
subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 149 (2021 est.)
comparison ranking: total subscriptions 160
Broadcast media
mix of state and privately run TV and radio; the public broadcaster operates 2 TV channels and 4 radio stations; 6 private TV broadcasters, satellite and cable TV services (including from Greece and Turkey), and a number of private radio stations; in areas administered by Turkish Cypriots, there are 2 public TV stations, 4 public radio stations, 7 privately owned TV stations and 21 privately owned radio stations, 6 radio and 4 TV channels at local universities, 1 military radio station, and 1 radio station for civil defense cooperation, as well as relay stations from Turkey (2019)
Internet country code
.cy
Internet users
percent of population: 91% (2023 est.)
Broadband – fixed subscriptions
total: 357,000 (2023 est.)
subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 39 (2023 est.)
comparison ranking: total 110
Transportation
Civil aircraft registration country code prefix
5B
Airports
14 (2025)
comparison ranking: 150
Heliports
68 (2025)
comparison ranking: 30
Merchant marine
total: 1,005 (2023)
by type: bulk carrier 243, container ship 154, general cargo 211, oil tanker 47, other 350
comparison ranking: total 23
Ports
total ports: 6 (2024)
large: 0
medium: 0
small: 3
very small: 3
ports with oil terminals: 4
key ports: Dhekelia, Famagusta, Kyrenia, Larnaca, Limassol, Xeros
Military and Security
Military and security forces
Cypriot National Guard (Ethniki Froura, EF): Army, Navy, Air Force (2025)
Military expenditures
1.7% of GDP (2024 est.)
1.8% of GDP (2023 est.)
1.8% of GDP (2022 est.)
1.8% of GDP (2021 est.)
1.8% of GDP (2020 est.)
Military and security service personnel strengths
approximately 12-15,000 active Cypriot National Guard (2025)
Military equipment inventories and acquisitions
the military’s inventory includes mostly Russian and Soviet-era weapons and equipment along with a smaller mix of largely older Brazilian, European, Israeli, and US armaments; in 2023, Cyprus announced a 5-year modernization program to replace its Russian-made weapon systems with modern equipment from the West; the country had been under an arms embargo by the US since 1987 but the embargo was lifted in 2022 with conditions that require certifying each year (2024)
Military service age and obligation
Cypriot National Guard (CNG): 18-50 years of age for compulsory military service for all Greek Cypriot males; 17 years of age for voluntary service; 14-month service obligation (2023)
note: the CNG accepts all foreign nationals of at least partial Cypriot descent under age 32 as volunteers; dual citizenship Cypriot origin citizens, who were born in Cyprus or abroad, have the obligation to serve in the CNG on repatriation, regardless of whether or not they possess a foreign citizenship; a person is considered as having Cypriot origin where a grandparent or parent was/is a Cypriot citizen
Military – note
established in 1964, the National Guard (EF) is responsible for ensuring Cyprus’s territorial integrity and sovereignty; its primary focus is Turkey, which invaded Cyprus in 1974 and maintains a large military presence in the unrecognized Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus; the majority of the force is deployed along the “Green Line” that separates the Greek Cypriots from the Turkish Cypriots; the EF also participates in some internal missions, such as providing assistance during natural disasters; Greece is its primary security partner and maintains a military presence on Cyprus; the EF has conducted training exercises with other militaries including France, Israel, and the US; since Cyprus joined the EU in 2004, the EF has actively participated in the EU’s Common Security and Defense Policy and has sent small numbers of personnel to some EU and missions; Cyprus is also part of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe
the UN Peacekeeping Force in Cyprus (UNFICYP) has been deployed in Cyprus since 1964; its mandate includes supervising the de facto ceasefire that came into effect in August 1974 and maintaining a buffer zone between the lines of the Cypriot National Guard and of the Turkish and Turkish Cypriot forces; UNFICYP has about 1,100 personnel assigned (2025)
Terrorism
Terrorist group(s)
Terrorist group(s): Islamic State of Iraq and ash-Sham (ISIS)
note: details about the history, aims, leadership, organization, areas of operation, tactics, targets, weapons, size, and sources of support of the group(s) appear(s) in the Terrorism reference guide
Transnational Issues
Refugees and internally displaced persons
refugees (country of origin): 10,869 (Syria) (mid-year 2022); 17,270 (Ukraine) (as of 11 February 2024)
IDPs: 246,000 (both Turkish and Greek Cypriots; many displaced since 1974) (2022)
stateless persons: 74 (2022)
note: 55,098 estimated refugee and migrant arrivals (January 2015-August 2023)
Illicit drugs
the ROC financial system is vulnerable to money laundering by domestic and foreign criminals; proceeds generated by illicit activity abroad pose a greater threat; primary sources of illicit proceeds are investment fraud, corruption, advance fee fraud, tax evasion, illegal drugs, and tobacco smuggling. Additionally, cybercrime, especially phishing, e-mail hacking, and ransomware use, continues to increase. Criminals have reportedly used ROC banks to launder proceeds, particularly from Russian and Ukrainian illicit activity.
