Cyprus has reached an impressive life expectancy of 83.2 years in 2024, surpassing the European Union average, yet the country grapples with significant health challenges. The OECD and the European Commission’s Country Health Profile 2025 highlights a worrying trend of lifestyle-related deaths and a nursing shortage that threaten to undermine this achievement.
Life expectancy: Transformation of Healthcare Spending
The Republic’s healthcare landscape has undergone substantial changes, primarily due to the implementation of the General Healthcare System (GHS). Public health spending rose dramatically to 77% of total healthcare expenditure in 2023, a significant increase from just 42% in 2018. This transformation has reduced out-of-pocket costs for households from nearly half of all health spending to 18%, making healthcare more accessible.
Longevity Coupled with Lifestyle Risks
While Cypriots enjoy a life expectancy that is 1.6 years longer than the average EU citizen, the report points to a notable “prevention gap.” Around 27% of deaths in Cyprus result from behavioural risk factors such as smoking, poor diet, alcohol consumption, and physical inactivity. Cardiovascular diseases and cancer are the leading causes of mortality, accounting for 46% of all deaths in 2023.
Concerning Statistics on Health Behaviours
- Smoking: Daily smoking rates among adults are at 22.5%, significantly above the EU average of 18.5%.
- Youth Obesity: 24% of fifteen-year-olds in Cyprus are classified as overweight or obese, compared to 21% across the EU.
- Physical Inactivity: Only 16% of teenagers meet the recommended exercise guidelines.
Nursing Shortage and Healthcare Infrastructure
Despite a relatively high density of doctors—5.2 per 1,000 residents compared to the EU average of 4.3—Cyprus faces a critical shortage of nursing staff. The nurse-to-doctor ratio is nearly 1:1, while the EU maintains an average of 8.5 nurses per 1,000 residents. This imbalance places additional strain on an already stretched healthcare system.
Inadequate Hospital Resources
The island also struggles with limited healthcare infrastructure, providing only 3.1 hospital beds per 1,000 people, significantly lower than the EU average of 5.1. With an ageing population, Cyprus allocates just 5% of its health budget to long-term care, a stark contrast to the 18% typically seen across the EU.
Financial Pressures from Chronic Diseases
The report warns that the rising burden of chronic diseases alongside an ageing population will exert “further pressure” on pharmaceutical spending and long-term care services. Currently, only 2% of the state’s GDP is spent on preventative medicine, raising concerns about the sustainability of the healthcare system.
Challenges Ahead for Public Health
“The greatest challenge for the Cyprus health system is population ageing and the increase in chronic patients,” notes the report. Although 75% of Cypriots report being in “good or very good” health, a shift towards preventative care is essential for the system’s future sustainability.
