Cyprus

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.

35 00 N, 33 00 E

moderate earthquake activity; droughts

about 0.6 times the size of Connecticut

scarce water resources; salination; water pollution from sewage, industrial wastes, and pesticides; coastal degradation; erosion; loss of wildlife habitats from urbanization

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

temperate; Mediterranean with hot, dry summers and cool winters

648 km

Total: 156 km

Border sovereign base areas: Akrotiri 48 km; Dhekelia 108 km

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.)

Territorial sea: 12 nm

Contiguous zone: 24 nm

Continental shelf: 200-m depth or to the depth of exploitation

copper, pyrites, asbestos, gypsum, timber, salt, marble, clay earth pigment

the third largest island in the Mediterranean Sea (after Sicily and Sardinia)

central plain with mountains to north and south; scattered but significant plains along southern coast

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

Middle East

269 sq km (2020)

780 million cubic meters (2022 est.)

population concentrated in central Nicosia and in the major cities of the south: Paphos, Limassol, and Larnaca

Highest point: Mount Olympus 1,951 m

Lowest point: Mediterranean Sea 0 m

Mean elevation: 91 m

Total : 9,251 sq km (of which 3,355 sq km are in north Cyprus)

Land: 9,241 sq km

Water: 10 sq km

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)

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.)

Noun: Cypriot(s)

Adjective: Cypriot

Total: 16 years (2022 est.)

Male: 16 years (2022 est.)

Female: 17 years (2022 est.)

Urban population: 67% of total population (2023)

Rate of urbanization: 0.76% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.)

Improved:

Urban: 99.7% of population (2022 est.)

Rural: 99.8% of population (2022 est.)

Total: 99.8% of population (2022 est.)

Unimproved:

Urban: 0.3% of population (2022 est.)

Rural: 0.2% of population (2022 est.)

Total: 0.2% of population (2022 est.)

269,000 NICOSIA (capital) (2018)

3.56 physicians/1,000 population (2022)

2.2 beds/1,000 population (2019 est.)

30 years (2020 est.)

Note: Data represents only government-controlled areas

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

Improved:

Urban: 99.7% of population (2022 est.)

Rural: 98.8% of population (2022 est.)

Total: 99.4% of population (2022 est.)

Unimproved:

Urban: 0.3% of population (2022 est.)

Rural: 1.2% of population (2022 est.)

Total: 0.6% of population (2022 est.)

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

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

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

9.4% of GDP (2021)

18.3% of national budget (2022 est.)

0.73 (2024 est.)

54.5% (2023 est.)

Total: 15.6% (2024 est.)

Male: 17.4% (2024 est.)

Female: 13.7% (2024 est.)

note: % of labor force ages 15-24 seeking employment

6.3 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2024 est.)

Total: 39.5 years (2024 est.)

Male: 38.2 years

Female: 41 years

14 deaths/100,000 live births (2023 est.)

1.49 children born/woman (2024 est.)

Total: 1,320,525 (2024 est.)

Male: 675,196

Female: 645,329

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

Total: 33.1% (2025 est.)

Male: 44.1% (2025 est.)

Female: 22.2% (2025 est.)

21.8% (2016)

7 deaths/1,000 population (2024 est.)

10.2 births/1,000 population (2024 est.)

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.)

Total population: 80.2 years (2024 est.)

Male: 77.4 years

Female: 83.1 years

5.1% of GDP (2022 est.)

13.2% national budget (2022 est.)

0.95% (2024 est.)

Municipal: 112 million cubic meters (2022)

Industrial: 17 million cubic meters (2022 est.)

Agricultural: 177 million cubic meters (2022)

Municipal solid waste generated annually: 769,500 tons (2024 est.)

Percent of municipal solid waste recycled: 17.6% (2022 est.)

14.5 micrograms per cubic meter (2019 est.)

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.)

107.188 million Btu/person (2023 est.)

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

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:
ACSNicosia@state.gov

https://cy.usembassy.gov/

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)

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"

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

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

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

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

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)

mixed system of English common law and civil law, with European law supremacy

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

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 Day, 1 October (1960)

Note: Turkish Cypriots celebrate 15 November (1983) as "Republic Day"

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

18 years of age; universal

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

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")

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:
Info@cyprusembassy.net

https://www.cyprusembassy.net/

Consulate(s) general: New York

Honorary consulate(s): Atlanta, Chicago, Houston, Kirkland (WA), Los Angeles, New Orleans, San Francisco

Title: "Ymnos eis tin Eleftherian" (Hymn to Freedom)

Lyrics/music: Dionysios SOLOMOS/Nikolaos MANTZAROS

History: Adopted 1966; Cyprus uses the Greek national anthem; the Turkish Cypriot community in Cyprus uses Turkey's national anthem

accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction with reservations; accepts ICCt jurisdiction

Cypriot mouflon (wild sheep), white dove

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

Total World Heritage Sites: 3 (all cultural)

Selected World Heritage Site locales: Paphos; Painted Churches in the Troodos Region; Choirokoitia

blue, white

13.9% (2021 est.)

note: % of population with income below national poverty line

Lowest 10%: 3.6% (2022 est.)

Highest 10%: 26.2% (2022 est.)

note: % share of income accruing to lowest and highest 10% of population

ships, refined petroleum, packaged medicine, cheese, scented mixtures (2023)

note: top five export commodities based on value in dollars

Libya 14%, Greece 11%, Lebanon 8%, Bermuda 7%, Marshall Islands 5% (2023)

note: top five export partners based on percentage share of exports

milk, potatoes, sheep milk, pork, goat milk, wheat, chicken, olives, grapes, barley (2023)

note: top ten agricultural products based on tonnage

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

refined petroleum, ships, cars, packaged medicine, coal tar oil (2023)

note: top five import commodities based on value in dollars

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.)

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

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.

$36.333 billion (2024 est.)

note: data in current dollars at official exchange rate

Household consumption: 58.9% (2024 est.)

Government consumption: 18.6% (2024 est.)

Investment in fixed capital: 20.5% (2024 est.)

Investment in inventories: -1.6% (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

Greece 20%, UK 10%, Italy 7%, Turkey 6%, Spain 6% (2023)

note: top five import partners based on percentage share of imports

1.8% of GDP (2023 est.)
1.7% of GDP (2022 est.)
2.1% of GDP (2021 est.)

note: personal transfers and compensation between resident and non-resident individuals/households/entities

772,300 (2024 est.)

note: number of people ages 15 or older who are employed or seeking work

$2.088 billion (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

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

5.7% (2024 est.)
6.1% (2023 est.)
6.9% (2022 est.)

note: % of labor force seeking employment

24.1% (of GDP) (2023 est.)

note: central government tax revenue as a % of GDP

$50.055 billion (2024 est.)
$48.386 billion (2023 est.)
$47.085 billion (2022 est.)

note: data in 2021 dollars

1.8% (2024 est.)
3.5% (2023 est.)
8.4% (2022 est.)

note: annual % change based on consumer prices

-$3.05 billion (2024 est.)
-$3.831 billion (2023 est.)
-$2.178 billion (2022 est.)

note: balance of payments - net trade and primary/secondary income in current dollars

$53,300 (2024 est.)
$52,200 (2023 est.)
$51,600 (2022 est.)

note: data in 2021 dollars

$33.802 billion (2024 est.)
$32.556 billion (2023 est.)
$31.486 billion (2022 est.)

note: balance of payments - imports of goods and services in current dollars

$35.12 billion (2024 est.)
$32.922 billion (2023 est.)
$32.563 billion (2022 est.)

note: balance of payments - exports of goods and services in current dollars

3.4% (2024 est.)
2.8% (2023 est.)
7.2% (2022 est.)

note: annual GDP % growth based on constant local currency

4.6% (2024 est.)

note: annual % change in industrial value added based on constant local currency

Agriculture: 1.2% (2024 est.)

Industry: 10.3% (2024 est.)

Services: 76.9% (2024 est.)

note: figures may not total 100% due to non-allocated consumption not captured in sector-reported data

Electrification - total population: 100% (2022 est.)

Consumption: 46,000 metric tons (2023 est.)

Exports: 71.6 metric tons (2022 est.)

Imports: 22,000 metric tons (2023 est.)

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.)

Refined petroleum consumption: 45,000 bbl/day (2023 est.)

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.)

Percent of population: 91% (2023 est.)

.cy

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)

Total subscriptions: 1.43 million (2023 est.)

Subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 149 (2021 est.)

Total: 357,000 (2023 est.)

Subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 39 (2023 est.)

Total subscriptions: 270,000 (2023 est.)

Subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 29 (2023 est.)

5B

14 (2025)

Total: 1,005 (2023)

By type: Bulk carrier 243, container ship 154, general cargo 211, oil tanker 47, other 350

68 (2025)

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

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.)

Cypriot National Guard (Ethniki Froura, EF): Army, Navy, Air Force (2025)

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)

approximately 12-15,000 active Cypriot National Guard (2025)

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)

Refugees: 73,303 (2024 est.)

IDPs: 244,944 (2024 est.)

Stateless persons: 130 (2024 est.)

demographic data for Cyprus represent the population of the government-controlled area and the area administered by Turkish Cypriots, unless otherwise indicated

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

Total global geoparks and regional networks: 1

Global geoparks and regional networks: Troodos (2023)

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

31.5 (2022 est.)

note: index (0-100) of income distribution; higher values represent greater inequality