cyprus population — cyprus population — Cyprus’ population, excluding the north, was estimated at 983,000 at the end of 2024, reflecting a 1.7 per cent increase from 966,400 in 2023, according to the Statistical Service (Cystat). This growth appears to be accompanied by an ongoing trend of an ageing population, as evidenced by demographic shifts over the years.
Cyprus population: Shifting Demographics Highlight Ageing Population
Statistics show that children under the age of 15 now account for approximately 15.2 per cent of the population, a decline from 22.3 per cent in 2000. Conversely, those aged 65 and over have risen to 18.3 per cent, up from 11.3 per cent two decades ago. This gradual increase in the proportion of older individuals, alongside a decrease in the number of children, underscores the significant demographic changes Cyprus is experiencing.
Fertility Rates Remain Below Replacement Levels
Despite the population growth, the fertility rate in Cyprus has remained below the replacement level of 2.1 since 1995. The number of births in 2024 was recorded at 9,766, a decrease from 10,241 in 2023, resulting in a crude birth rate of 10 births per 1,000 population. The total fertility rate also stagnated at 1.4, remaining unchanged from the previous year. This decline in fertility rates has been a steady trend since a peak of 2.5 in 1982.
Age Trends in Childbirth
The mean age for women giving birth to their first child rose to 30.4 years in 2024, while the average age at childbirth across all orders was 31.6 years. These figures reflect changing societal norms and increasing parental ages in Cyprus.
Mortality Rates and Life Expectancy Improvements
On the other hand, mortality figures indicate a slight increase, with 6,753 deaths reported in 2024, compared to 6,742 in 2023. The crude death rate stood at 6.9 deaths per 1,000 population. However, life expectancy has seen improvements, increasing to 81.4 years for males and 85.8 years for females, up from 81 and 85 years, respectively, in the previous year. Additionally, infant mortality has improved, declining to three deaths per 1,000 live births from 4.5 the previous year.
Net Migration Trends Remain Positive
Cyprus recorded a positive net migration of 13,588 in 2024, continuing a trend that has seen net migration rise since 2016. Long-term immigrants numbered 40,471, nearly consistent with the previous year, while the number of emigrants was estimated at 26,883, a slight decrease from 26,979 in 2023. These figures indicate a dynamic population movement impacting the demographic landscape.
Marriage and Divorce Statistics Exhibit Changing Patterns
In terms of social structures, the total number of marriages in 2024 fell to 10,334 from 11,766 in 2023. This decline is seen across both ecclesiastical and civil marriages, with the latter decreasing from 7,411 to 6,533. Notably, a significant proportion of civil marriages involved foreign nationals not residing in Cyprus, with only 1,908 of the civil marriages involving residents. Consequently, the total number of marriages among residents dropped to 5,709.
Meanwhile, divorces also saw a decrease, with 2,107 recorded in 2024 compared to 2,134 in 2023. The crude divorce rate was calculated at 2.16 per 1,000 population, slightly lower than the previous year. However, the total divorce rate, indicating the proportion of marriages expected to end in divorce, increased significantly to 347.5 per 1,000 marriages from 41.6 per 1,000 marriages in 1980.
