Cyprus

World Book Index

Introduction

Background
A former British colony, Cyprus became independent in 1960. Tensions between the Greek Cypriot majority and Turkish Cypriot minority continue, with Turkey controlling part of the island since 1974. The entire island joined the EU in 2004, although EU law does not apply in the Turkish-controlled area.

Geography

Area
total : 9,251 sq km
land: 9,241 sq km
water: 10 sq km

Climate
temperate; Mediterranean with hot, dry summers and cool winters

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

People and Society

Population
total: 1,320,525 (2024 est.)

Ethnic groups
Greek 98.8%, other 1% (includes Maronite, Armenian, Turkish-Cypriot), unspecified 0.2% (2011 est.)

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.)

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.)

Population growth rate
0.95% (2024 est.)

Government

Government type
Republic of Cyprus - presidential republic; self-declared "Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus" (TRNC) - parliamentary republic with enhanced presidency

Capital
name: Nicosia (Lefkosia/Lefkosa)

Executive branch
chief of state: President Nikos CHRISTODOULIDIS (since 28 February 2023)
head of government: President Nikos CHRISTODOULIDIS (since 28 February 2023)

Diplomatic representation in the US
chief of mission: Ambassador Evangelos SAVVA (since 15 September 2023)

Diplomatic representation from the US
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

Economy

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

Real GDP (purchasing power parity)
$50.055 billion (2024 est.)
$48.386 billion (2023 est.)
$47.085 billion (2022 est.)

Real GDP per capita
$53,300 (2024 est.)
$52,200 (2023 est.)
$51,600 (2022 est.)

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

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

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

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

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

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

Human Development Index

The country's Human Development Index (HDI) is 0.913, ranking it 32nd out of 193 countries tested. (more information)

World Happiness Report

The World Happiness Report ranked the country 53rd out of 158 countries tested with a score of 6.068. (more information)