Cyprus has earned the dubious distinction of being the second-worst country in the EU for long working hours, with 10 per cent of its workforce clocking in 49 hours or more weekly, according to Eurostat’s latest findings.
- This data sheds light on the ongoing challenges faced by workers in Cyprus, illustrating the need for continued attention to work-life balance and the potential impact on health and productivity.
This figure places Cyprus behind Greece, which leads the EU with a troubling 12.4 per cent of workers engaged in extended hours. The EU average sits at 6.6 per cent, highlighting a significant disparity between Cyprus and many other member states.
Interestingly, Eurostat also noted that this situation is improving. The percentage of workers in the EU putting in long hours has decreased over the years, down from 9.8 per cent in 2014 and 8.4 per cent in 2019.
The data for 2024 indicates that 6.6 per cent of employed individuals aged 20 to 64 across the EU are working long hours, defined as typically spending 49 hours or more per week in their primary job. This trend suggests a gradual shift towards better work-life balance in many EU nations.
While Cyprus grapples with high long working hours, the figures reveal a stark contrast with countries like Bulgaria, which reports only 0.4 per cent of workers in this category, and Latvia and Lithuania, both with rates of 1 per cent and 1.4 per cent, respectively.
Among those working long hours, self-employed individuals are significantly overrepresented. Approximately 27.5 per cent of self-employed people in Cyprus report working extended hours, compared to just 3.4 per cent of employees.
Delving deeper into occupational categories, long working hours are particularly prevalent among skilled agricultural, forestry, and fishery workers, with a striking 26.2 per cent of those in that occupation group exceeding the 49-hour threshold. Managers are also notable, with 21.1 per cent working similarly long hours.
This data sheds light on the ongoing challenges faced by workers in Cyprus, illustrating the need for continued attention to work-life balance and the potential impact on health and productivity.
