Cyprus — Country profile

Europe

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.

Economy

Budget: revenues:
$14.39 billion (2023 est.)
expenditures:
$13.733 billion (2023 est.)
note: central government revenues (excluding grants) and expenditures converted to US dollars at average official exchange rate for year indicated
Exports: Exports 2022:
$32.563 billion (2022 est.)
Exports 2023:
$32.922 billion (2023 est.)
Exports 2024:
$35.12 billion (2024 est.)
note: balance of payments - exports of goods and services in current dollars
Imports: Imports 2022:
$31.486 billion (2022 est.)
Imports 2023:
$32.556 billion (2023 est.)
Imports 2024:
$33.802 billion (2024 est.)
note: balance of payments - imports of goods and services in current dollars
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
Labor force: 772,300 (2024 est.)
note: number of people ages 15 or older who are employed or seeking work
Public debt: Public debt 2017:
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
Remittances: Remittances 2021:
2.1% of GDP (2021 est.)
Remittances 2022:
1.7% of GDP (2022 est.)
Remittances 2023:
1.8% of GDP (2023 est.)
note: personal transfers and compensation between resident and non-resident individuals/households/entities
Exchange rates: Currency:
euros (EUR) per US dollar -
Exchange rates 2020:
0.876 (2020 est.)
Exchange rates 2021:
0.845 (2021 est.)
Exchange rates 2022:
0.95 (2022 est.)
Exchange rates 2023:
0.925 (2023 est.)
Exchange rates 2024:
0.924 (2024 est.)
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.
Unemployment rate: Unemployment rate 2022:
6.9% (2022 est.)
Unemployment rate 2023:
6.1% (2023 est.)
Unemployment rate 2024:
5.7% (2024 est.)
note: % of labor force seeking employment
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
Imports - partners: Greece 20%, UK 10%, Italy 7%, Turkey 6%, Spain 6% (2023)
note: top five import partners based on percentage share of imports
Real GDP per capita: Real GDP per capita 2022:
$51,600 (2022 est.)
Real GDP per capita 2023:
$52,200 (2023 est.)
Real GDP per capita 2024:
$53,300 (2024 est.)
note: data in 2021 dollars
Real GDP growth rate: Real GDP growth rate 2022:
7.2% (2022 est.)
Real GDP growth rate 2023:
2.8% (2023 est.)
Real GDP growth rate 2024:
3.4% (2024 est.)
note: annual GDP % growth based on constant local currency
Agricultural products: milk, potatoes, sheep milk, pork, goat milk, wheat, chicken, olives, grapes, barley (2023)
note: top ten agricultural products based on tonnage
Exports - commodities: ships, refined petroleum, packaged medicine, cheese, scented mixtures (2023)
note: top five export commodities based on value in dollars
Imports - commodities: refined petroleum, ships, cars, packaged medicine, coal tar oil (2023)
note: top five import commodities based on value in dollars
Current account balance: Current account balance 2022:
-$2.178 billion (2022 est.)
Current account balance 2023:
-$3.831 billion (2023 est.)
Current account balance 2024:
-$3.05 billion (2024 est.)
note: balance of payments - net trade and primary/secondary income in current dollars
Taxes and other revenues: 24.1% (of GDP) (2023 est.)
note: central government tax revenue as a % of GDP
GDP (official exchange rate): $36.333 billion (2024 est.)
note: data in current dollars at official exchange rate
GDP - composition, by end use: household consumption:
58.9% (2024 est.)
government consumption:
18.6% (2024 est.)
investment in inventories:
-1.6% (2024 est.)
investment in fixed capital:
20.5% (2024 est.)
exports of goods and services:
96.7% (2024 est.)
imports of goods and services:
-93.1% (2024 est.)
note: figures may not total 100% due to rounding or gaps in data collection
Population below poverty line: 13.9% (2021 est.)
note: % of population with income below national poverty line
Inflation rate (consumer prices): Inflation rate (consumer prices) 2022:
8.4% (2022 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices) 2023:
3.5% (2023 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices) 2024:
1.8% (2024 est.)
note: annual % change based on consumer prices
Industrial production growth rate: 4.6% (2024 est.)
note: annual % change in industrial value added based on constant local currency
Real GDP (purchasing power parity): Real GDP (purchasing power parity) 2022:
$47.085 billion (2022 est.)
Real GDP (purchasing power parity) 2023:
$48.386 billion (2023 est.)
Real GDP (purchasing power parity) 2024:
$50.055 billion (2024 est.)
note: data in 2021 dollars
Youth unemployment rate (ages 15-24): male:
17.4% (2024 est.)
total:
15.6% (2024 est.)
female:
13.7% (2024 est.)
note: % of labor force ages 15-24 seeking employment
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold: Reserves of foreign exchange and gold 2022:
$1.671 billion (2022 est.)
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold 2023:
$1.789 billion (2023 est.)
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold 2024:
$2.088 billion (2024 est.)
note: holdings of gold (year-end prices)/foreign exchange/special drawing rights in current dollars
GDP - composition, by sector of origin: industry:
10.3% (2024 est.)
services:
76.9% (2024 est.)
agriculture:
1.2% (2024 est.)
note: figures may not total 100% due to non-allocated consumption not captured in sector-reported data
Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%:
3.6% (2022 est.)
highest 10%:
26.2% (2022 est.)
note: % share of income accruing to lowest and highest 10% of population
Gini Index coefficient - distribution of family income: Gini Index coefficient - distribution of family income 2022:
31.5 (2022 est.)
note: index (0-100) of income distribution; higher values represent greater inequality

Energy

Coal: exports:
71.6 metric tons (2022 est.)
imports:
22,000 metric tons (2023 est.)
consumption:
46,000 metric tons (2023 est.)
Petroleum: refined petroleum consumption:
45,000 bbl/day (2023 est.)
Electricity: consumption:
5.197 billion kWh (2023 est.)
installed generating capacity:
2.288 million kW (2023 est.)
transmission/distribution losses:
146.11 million kWh (2023 est.)
Electricity access: electrification - total population:
100% (2022 est.)
Energy consumption per capita: Total energy consumption per capita 2023:
107.188 million Btu/person (2023 est.)
Electricity generation sources: wind:
3.9% of total installed capacity (2023 est.)
solar:
16% of total installed capacity (2023 est.)
fossil fuels:
79.1% of total installed capacity (2023 est.)
biomass and waste:
1% of total installed capacity (2023 est.)

More about Cyprus

People and Society

Languages: 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
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
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
total population:
1.05 male(s)/female (2024 est.)
65 years and over:
0.77 male(s)/female
Birth rate: 9.95 births/1,000 population (2025 est.)
Death rate: 7.11 deaths/1,000 population (2025 est.)
Median age: male:
38.2 years
total:
39.9 years (2025 est.)
female:
41 years
Population: male:
681,128
total:
1,332,293 (2025 est.)
female:
651,165
Nationality: noun:
Cypriot(s)
adjective:
Cypriot
Tobacco use: male:
44.1% (2025 est.)
total:
33.1% (2025 est.)
female:
22.2% (2025 est.)
Urbanization: urban population:
67% of total population (2023)
rate of urbanization:
0.76% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.)
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)
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
People - note: demographic data for Cyprus represent the population of the government-controlled area and the area administered by Turkish Cypriots, unless otherwise indicated
Dependency ratios: total dependency ratio:
43.6 (2025 est.)
youth dependency ratio:
22.3 (2025 est.)
potential support ratio:
4.7 (2025 est.)
elderly dependency ratio:
21.4 (2025 est.)
note: data represent the whole country
Physician density: 3.56 physicians/1,000 population (2022)
Health expenditure: Health expenditure (as % of GDP):
9.4% of GDP (2021)
Health expenditure (as % of national budget):
18.3% of national budget (2022 est.)
Net migration rate: 6.04 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2025 est.)
Hospital bed density: 2.2 beds/1,000 population (2019 est.)
Total fertility rate: 1.49 children born/woman (2025 est.)
Drinking water source: improved: rural:
rural: 99.8% of population (2022 est.)
improved: total:
total: 99.8% of population (2022 est.)
improved: urban:
urban: 99.7% of population (2022 est.)
unimproved: rural:
rural: 0.2% of population (2022 est.)
unimproved: total:
total: 0.2% of population (2022 est.)
unimproved: urban:
urban: 0.3% of population (2022 est.)
Education expenditure: Education expenditure (% GDP):
4.7% of GDP (2022 est.)
Education expenditure (% national budget):
12.5% national budget (2022 est.)
Infant mortality rate: male:
9.7 deaths/1,000 live births
total:
7.9 deaths/1,000 live births (2025 est.)
female:
6.4 deaths/1,000 live births
Population growth rate: 0.89% (2025 est.)
Gross reproduction rate: 0.73 (2025 est.)
Population distribution: population concentrated in central Nicosia and in the major cities of the south: Paphos, Limassol, and Larnaca
Life expectancy at birth: male:
77.4 years
female:
83.1 years
total population:
80.2 years (2024 est.)
Maternal mortality ratio: 14 deaths/100,000 live births (2023 est.)
Sanitation facility access: improved: rural:
rural: 98.8% of population (2022 est.)
improved: total:
total: 99.4% of population (2022 est.)
improved: urban:
urban: 99.7% of population (2022 est.)
unimproved: rural:
rural: 1.2% of population (2022 est.)
unimproved: total:
total: 0.6% of population (2022 est.)
unimproved: urban:
urban: 0.3% of population (2022 est.)
Alcohol consumption per capita: beer:
2.85 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)
wine:
2.72 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)
total:
9.59 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)
spirits:
4.02 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)
other alcohols:
0 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)
Major urban areas - population: 269,000 NICOSIA (capital) (2018)
Obesity - adult prevalence rate: 21.8% (2016)
Mother's mean age at first birth: 30 years (2020 est.)
note: data represents only government-controlled areas
School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education): male:
16 years (2022 est.)
total:
16 years (2022 est.)
female:
17 years (2022 est.)

Government

Flag: description: a copper-colored silhouette of the island is centered on a white field above two crossed green olive branches

meaning: the olive branches symbolize hope for peace and reconciliation between the Greek and Turkish communities
note 1: one of two national flags that uses a map as a design element; the flag of Kosovo is the other

note 2: the "Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus" flag retains the white field of the Cyprus national flag but has narrow horizontal red stripes near the top and bottom edges, with a red crescent and a five-pointed red star between them; the banner is modeled on the Turkish national flag, but with the colors reversed
Capital: name:
Nicosia (Lefkosia/Lefkosa)
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"
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
geographic coordinates:
35 10 N, 33 22 E
Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal
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
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
Country name: 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
local long form:
Kypriaki Dimokratia (Greek)/ Kibris Cumhuriyeti (Turkish)
local short form:
Kypros (Greek)/ Kibris (Turkish)
conventional long form:
Republic of Cyprus
conventional short form:
Cyprus
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")
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
Legal system: mixed system of English common law and civil law, with European law supremacy
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
Judicial branch: highest court(s):
Supreme Court of Cyprus (consists of 13 judges, including the court president)
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"
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
note: the highest court in the TRNC is the Supreme Court (consists of 8 judges, including the court president)
Executive branch: cabinet:
Council of Ministers appointed by the president
chief of state:
President Nikos CHRISTODOULIDIS (since 28 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%
head of government:
President Nikos CHRISTODOULIDIS (since 28 February 2023)
most recent election date:
5 February 2023, with a runoff on 12 February 2023
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)
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
National holiday: Independence Day, 1 October (1960)
note: Turkish Cypriots celebrate 15 November (1983) as "Republic Day"
National color(s): blue, white
National heritage: total World Heritage Sites:
3 (all cultural)
selected World Heritage Site locales:
Paphos; Painted Churches in the Troodos Region; Choirokoitia
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
Legislative branch: term in office:
5 years
number of seats:
80 (all directly elected)
electoral system:
proportional representation
legislature name:
House of Representatives (Vouli Antiprosopon)
scope of elections:
full renewal
legislative structure:
unicameral
most recent election date:
5/30/2021
expected date of next election:
May 2026
percentage of women in chamber:
14.3%
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)
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
National anthem(s): title:
"Ymnos eis tin Eleftherian" (Hymn to Freedom)
history:
adopted 1966; Cyprus uses the Greek national anthem; the Turkish Cypriot community in Cyprus uses Turkey's national anthem
lyrics/music:
Dionysios SOLOMOS/Nikolaos MANTZAROS
National symbol(s): Cypriot mouflon (wild sheep), white dove
National coat of arms: The coat of arms of Cyprus features a yellow shield representing the island’s copper deposits. A dove, one of the national symbols, holds an olive branch symbolizing peace, and olive branches encircle the shield. The year 1960 on the shield is the date of Cyprus’s independence from the United Kingdom.
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)
Diplomatic representation in the US: FAX:
[1] (202) 483-6710
chancery:
2211 R Street NW, Washington, DC 20008
telephone:
[1] (202) 462-5772
chief of mission:
Ambassador Evangelos SAVVA (since 15 September 2023)
consulate(s) general:
New York
honorary consulate(s):
Atlanta, Chicago, Houston, Kirkland (WA), Los Angeles, New Orleans, San Francisco
email address and website:

info@cyprusembassy.net

https://www.cyprusembassy.net/
Diplomatic representation from the US: FAX:
[357] (22) 780944
embassy:
Metochiou and Ploutarchou Street, 2407, Engomi, Nicosia
telephone:
[357] (22) 393939
mailing address:
5450 Nicosia Place, Washington DC 20521-5450
chief of mission:
Ambassador Julie Davis FISHER (since 21 February 2023); note - Ambassador FISHER is temporarily assigned to the U.S. Embassy in Kyiv, Ukraine as Chargé d’ Affaires ad interim; she remains fully accredited in Cyprus
email address and website:

ACSNicosia@state.gov

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, UNOOSA, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WFTU (NGOs), WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO
International law organization participation: accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction with reservations; accepts ICCt jurisdiction

Communications

Internet users: percent of population:
91% (2023 est.)
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
Telephones - fixed lines: total subscriptions:
245,000 (2024 est.)
subscriptions per 100 inhabitants:
25 (2024 est.)
Telephones - mobile cellular: total subscriptions:
1.51 million (2024 est.)
subscriptions per 100 inhabitants:
156 (2024 est.)
Broadband - fixed subscriptions: total:
357,000 (2023 est.)
subscriptions per 100 inhabitants:
39 (2023 est.)

Transportation

Ports: large:
0
small:
3
medium:
0
key ports:
Dhekelia, Famagusta, Kyrenia, Larnaca, Limassol, Xeros
very small:
3
total ports:
6 (2024)
ports with oil terminals:
4
Airports: 14 (2025)
Heliports: 68 (2025)
Merchant marine: total:
1,005 (2023)
by type:
bulk carrier 243, container ship 154, general cargo 211, oil tanker 47, other 350
Civil aircraft registration country code prefix: 5B

Geography

Area: land:
9,241 sq km
water:
10 sq km
total :
9,251 sq km (of which 3,355 sq km are in north Cyprus)
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
Land use: other:
67.1% (2023 est.)
forest:
18.6% (2023 est.)
agricultural land:
14% (2023 est.)
agricultural land: arable land:
arable land: 10.6% (2023 est.)
agricultural land: permanent crops:
permanent crops: 3.1% (2023 est.)
agricultural land: permanent pasture:
permanent pasture: 0.2% (2023 est.)
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
Coastline: 648 km
Elevation: lowest point:
Mediterranean Sea 0 m
highest point:
Mount Olympus 1,951 m
mean elevation:
91 m
Irrigated land: 269 sq km (2020)
Map references: Middle East
Land boundaries: total:
156 km
border sovereign base areas:
Akrotiri 48 km; Dhekelia 108 km
Maritime claims: contiguous zone:
24 nm
territorial sea:
12 nm
continental shelf:
200-m depth or to the depth of exploitation
Natural hazards: moderate earthquake activity; droughts
Geography - note: the third largest island in the Mediterranean Sea (after Sicily and Sardinia)
Natural resources: copper, pyrites, asbestos, gypsum, timber, salt, marble, clay earth pigment
Area - comparative: about 0.6 times the size of Connecticut
Geographic coordinates: 35 00 N, 33 00 E
Population distribution: population concentrated in central Nicosia and in the major cities of the south: Paphos, Limassol, and Larnaca

Environment

Climate: temperate; Mediterranean with hot, dry summers and cool winters
Geoparks: global geoparks and regional networks:
Troodos (2023)
total global geoparks and regional networks:
1
Land use: other:
67.1% (2023 est.)
forest:
18.6% (2023 est.)
agricultural land:
14% (2023 est.)
agricultural land: arable land:
arable land: 10.6% (2023 est.)
agricultural land: permanent crops:
permanent crops: 3.1% (2023 est.)
agricultural land: permanent pasture:
permanent pasture: 0.2% (2023 est.)
Urbanization: urban population:
67% of total population (2023)
rate of urbanization:
0.76% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.)
Waste and recycling: municipal solid waste generated annually:
769,500 tons (2024 est.)
percent of municipal solid waste recycled:
17.6% (2022 est.)
Environmental issues: scarce water resources; salination; water pollution from sewage, industrial wastes, and pesticides; coastal degradation; erosion; loss of wildlife habitats from urbanization
Total water withdrawal: municipal:
112 million cubic meters (2022)
industrial:
17 million cubic meters (2022 est.)
agricultural:
177 million cubic meters (2022)
Carbon dioxide emissions: total 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.)
Particulate matter emissions: 14.5 micrograms per cubic meter (2019 est.)
Total renewable water resources: 780 million cubic meters (2022 est.)
International environmental 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

Military and Security

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)
Military expenditures: Military Expenditures 2020:
1.8% of GDP (2020 est.)
Military Expenditures 2021:
1.8% of GDP (2021 est.)
Military Expenditures 2022:
1.8% of GDP (2022 est.)
Military Expenditures 2023:
1.8% of GDP (2023 est.)
Military Expenditures 2024:
1.7% of GDP (2024 est.)
Military and security forces: Cypriot National Guard (Ethniki Froura, EF): Army, Navy, Air Force (2025)
Military service age and obligation: all Cypriot men must complete 14 months of compulsory service upon reaching the age of 18; women may volunteer for 6 months of service at age 18; men and women may also enlist as contract soldiers up to age 42 (2025)
Military equipment inventories and acquisitions: the National Guard's inventory includes a mix of armaments from a variety of suppliers, including Brazil, Israel, Russia, several European countries, and the US (2025)
Military and security service personnel strengths: approximately 12-15,000 active Cypriot National Guard (2025)

Transnational Issues

Refugees and internally displaced persons: IDPs:
244,944 (2024 est.)
refugees:
73,303 (2024 est.)
stateless persons:
130 (2024 est.)

Source: CIA World Factbook (public domain).

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