Introduction :: CYPRUS
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A former British colony, Cyprus became independent in 1960 following 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 forcing 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. In February 2014, after a hiatus of nearly two years, the leaders of the two communities resumed formal discussions under UN auspices aimed at reuniting the divided island. Talks were suspended in October 2014, but the UN has continued discussions with both sides in an effort to resume talks. The entire island entered the EU on 1 May 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 area administered by Turkish Cypriots. However, individual Turkish Cypriots able to document their eligibility for Republic of Cyprus citizenship legally enjoy the same rights accorded to other citizens of European Union states.
Geography :: CYPRUS
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Middle East, island in the Mediterranean Sea, south of Turkey
35 00 N, 33 00 E
Middle East
total: 9,251 sq km (of which 3,355 sq km are in north Cyprus)
land: 9,241 sq km
water: 10 sq km
country comparison to the world: 171
about 0.6 times the size of Connecticut
total: 156 km
border sovereign base areas: Akrotiri 48 km, Dhekelia 108 km
648 km
territorial sea: 12 nm
contiguous zone: 24 nm
continental shelf: 200-m depth or to the depth of exploitation
temperate; Mediterranean with hot, dry summers and cool winters
central plain with mountains to north and south; scattered but significant plains along southern coast
lowest point: Mediterranean Sea 0 m
highest point: Mount Olympus 1,951 m
copper, pyrites, asbestos, gypsum, timber, salt, marble, clay earth pigment
agricultural land: 13.4%
arable land 9.8%; permanent crops 3.2%; permanent pasture 0.4%
forest: 18.8%
other: 67.8% (2011 est.)
457.9 sq km (2007)
0.78 cu km (2011)
total: 0.18 cu km/yr (10%/3%/86%)
per capita: 164.7 cu m/yr (2009)
moderate earthquake activity; droughts
water resource problems (no natural reservoir catchments, seasonal disparity in rainfall, sea water intrusion to island's largest aquifer, increased salination in the north); water pollution from sewage and industrial wastes; coastal degradation; loss of wildlife habitats from urbanization
party to: Air Pollution, Air Pollution-Nitrogen Oxides, Air Pollution-Persistent Organic Pollutants, Air Pollution-Sulfur 94, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands
signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements
the third largest island in the Mediterranean Sea (after Sicily and Sardinia)
People and Society :: CYPRUS
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noun: Cypriot(s)
adjective: Cypriot
Greek 77%, Turkish 18%, other 5% (2001)
Greek (official) 80.9%, Turkish (official) 0.2%, English 4.1%, Romanian 2.9%, Russian 2.5%, Bulgarian 2.2%, Arabic 1.2%, Filippino 1.1%, other 4.3%, unspecified 0.6% (2011 est.)
Orthodox Christian 89.1%, Roman Catholic 2.9%, Protestant/Anglican 2%, Muslim 1.8%, Buddhist 1%, other (includes Maronite, Armenian Church, Hindu) 1.4%, unknown 1.1%, none/atheist 0.6% (2011 est.)
1,189,197 (July 2015 est.)
country comparison to the world: 161
0-14 years: 15.61% (male 95,431/female 90,159)
15-24 years: 14.87% (male 96,152/female 80,633)
25-54 years: 46.97% (male 293,582/female 264,935)
55-64 years: 11.05% (male 62,826/female 68,551)
65 years and over: 11.51% (male 59,363/female 77,565) (2015 est.)
population pyramid:
total dependency ratio: 41.6%
youth dependency ratio: 23.4%
elderly dependency ratio: 18.2%
potential support ratio: 5.5% (2015 est.)
total: 36.1 years
male: 34.7 years
female: 37.7 years (2015 est.)
1.43% (2015 est.)
country comparison to the world: 84
11.41 births/1,000 population (2015 est.)
country comparison to the world: 172
6.62 deaths/1,000 population (2015 est.)
country comparison to the world: 143
9.48 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2015 est.)
country comparison to the world: 11
urban population: 66.9% of total population (2015)
rate of urbanization: 0.89% annual rate of change (2010-15 est.)
NICOSIA (capital) 251,000 (2014)
at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female
0-14 years: 1.06 male(s)/female
15-24 years: 1.19 male(s)/female
25-54 years: 1.11 male(s)/female
55-64 years: 0.92 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.77 male(s)/female
total population: 1.04 male(s)/female (2015 est.)
total: 8.36 deaths/1,000 live births
male: 9.97 deaths/1,000 live births
female: 6.68 deaths/1,000 live births (2015 est.)
country comparison to the world: 152
total population: 78.51 years
male: 75.7 years
female: 81.46 years (2015 est.)
country comparison to the world: 54
1.46 children born/woman (2015 est.)
country comparison to the world: 202
7.4% of GDP (2013)
country comparison to the world: 72
2.33 physicians/1,000 population (2012)
3.5 beds/1,000 population (2011)
improved:
urban: 100% of population
rural: 100% of population
total: 100% of population
unimproved:
urban: 0% of population
rural: 0% of population
total: 0% of population (2015 est.)
improved:
urban: 100% of population
rural: 100% of population
total: 100% of population
unimproved:
urban: 0% of population
rural: 0% of population
total: 0% of population (2015 est.)
0.06% (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 117
400 (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 125
fewer than 100 (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 124
24.5% (2014)
country comparison to the world: 53
7.2% of GDP (2011)
country comparison to the world: 19
definition: age 15 and over can read and write
total population: 99.1%
male: 99.5%
female: 98.7% (2015 est.)
total: 14 years
male: 14 years
female: 14 years (2012)
total: 27.8%
male: 28.8%
female: 26.6% (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 32
demographic data for Cyprus include the population in the government-controlled area and the area administered by Turkish Cypriots
Government :: CYPRUS
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conventional long form: Republic of Cyprus
conventional short form: Cyprus
local long form: Kypriaki Dimokratia/Kibris Cumhuriyeti
local short form: Kypros/Kibris
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")
republic
note: a separation of the two ethnic communities inhabiting the island began following the outbreak of communal strife in 1963; this separation was further solidified after the Turkish intervention in July 1974, following a Greek military-junta-supported coup attempt that gave the Turkish Cypriots de facto control in the north; Greek Cypriots control the only internationally recognized government; on 15 November 1983 Turkish Cypriot "President" Rauf DENKTAS declared independence and the formation of a "Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus" ("TRNC"), which is recognized only by Turkey
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
6 districts; Ammochostos (Famagusta; all but a small part administered by Turkish Cypriots), Keryneia (Kyrenia; the only district completely administered by Turkish Cypriots), Larnaka (Larnaca; a small part administered by Turkish Cypriots), Lefkosia (Nicosia; a small part administered by Turkish Cypriots), Lemesos (Limassol), Pafos (Paphos); note - the 5 districts of Turkish Cypriot-administered part of Cyprus are Gazimagusa (Famagusta), Girne (Kyrenia), Guzelyurt (Morphou), Iskele (Trikomo), Lefkosia (Nicosia)
16 August 1960 (from the UK); note - Turkish Cypriots proclaimed self-rule on 13 February 1975 and independence in 1983, but these proclamations are recognized only by Turkey
Independence Day, 1 October (1960); note - Turkish Cypriots celebrate 15 November (1983) as "Republic Day"
ratified 16 August 1960; 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 (2013)
mixed legal system of English common law and civil law with European law supremacy
accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction with reservations; accepts ICCt jurisdiction
birthright citizenship:
dual citizenship recognized: yes
residency requirement for naturalization:
18 years of age; universal
chief of state: President Nicos ANASTASIADES (since 28 February 2013); note - the president is both chief of state and head of government; vice president (vacant); note - vice presidency reserved for Turkish Cypriot
head of government: President Nicos ANASTASIADES (since 28 February 2013)
cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the president; note - under the 1960 constitution, 3 of the ministerial posts reserved for Turkish Cypriots, appointed by the vice president; positions currently filled by Greek Cypriots
elections/appointments: president directly elected by absolute majority popular vote in 2 rounds if needed for a 5-year term; election last held on 17 and 24 February 2013 (next to be held in February 2018)
election results: Nicos ANASTASIADES elected president; percent of vote in first round - Nicos ANASTASIADES (DISY) 45.5%, Stavros MALAS(AKEL) 26.9%, Giorgos LILLIKAS (SP) 24.9%, other 2.7%; percent of vote in second round - Nicos ANASTASIADES 57.5%, Savros MALAS 42.5%
note: Mustafa AKINCI elected "president" of the "TRNC" on 30 April 2015; percent of vote in first round (19 April 2015) - Dervis EROGLU (UBP) 28.2%, Mustafa AKINCI (TDP) 26.9%, other 44.9%; percent of vote in runoff (26 April 2015) - AKINCI 60.5%, EROGLU 39.5%; Ozkan YORGANCIOGLU (CTP-BG) became "TRNC prime minister"
description: area under government control: unicameral House of Representatives or Vouli Antiprosopon (80 seats; 56 assigned to Greek Cypriots, 24 to Turkish Cypriots, but only those assigned to Greek Cypriots are filled; members directly elected by both proportional representation and preferential vote; members serve 5-year terms); area administered by Turkish Cypriots: unicameral Assembly of the Republic or Cumhuriyet Meclisi (50 seats; members directly elected by proportional representation vote to serve 5-year terms)
elections: area under government control: last held on 22 May 2011 (next to be held in May 2016); area administered by Turkish Cypriots: last held on 28 July 2013 (next to be held on July 2018)
election results: area under government control: House of Representatives - percent of vote by party - DISY 34.3%, AKEL 32.7%, DIKO 15.8%, KS-EDEK 8.9%, EVROKO 3.9%, other 4.4%; seats by party - DISY 20, AKEL 19, DIKO 9, KS-EDEK 5, EVROKO 2, KOP 1; note - as of 1 January 2014, the composition of the Cypriot House of Representatives was DISY 20, AKEL 19, DIKO 8, KS-EDEK 5, EVROKO 1, SP 1, KOP 1, independent 1; area administered by Turkish Cypriots: "Assembly of the Republic" - percent of vote by party - CTP-BG 38%, UBP 27%, DP-UG 23%, TDP 7%, other 5%; seats by party - CTP-BG 21, UBP 17, DP-UG 9, TDP 3
highest court(s): Supreme Court of Cyprus (consists of 13 judges including the court president); note - the highest court in the "Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC)" is the "Supreme Court" (consists of 8 "judges" including the "court president")
judge selection and term of office: Republic of Cyprus Supreme Court judges appointed by the president of the republic upon the recommendation of the Supreme Court judges; judges tenure is until the age of 68; "TRNC Supreme Court" judges appointed by the "Supreme Council of Judicature", a 12-member body of "judges", the "attorney general", "appointees" - 1 each by the "president" of the "TRNC" and by the "Legislative Assembly" and 1 member elected by the Bar Association; "judge" tenure NA
subordinate courts: Republic of Cyprus district courts; Assize Courts; specialized courts for issues relating to family, industrial disputes, military, and rent control; "TRNC Assize Courts"; "district and family courts"
area under government control:
Citizens' Alliance or SP [Giorgos LILLIKAS]
Democratic Party or DIKO [Nicolas PAPADOPOULOS]
Democratic Rally or DISY [Averof NEOPHYTOU (Neofytou)]
Ecological and Environmental Movement or KOP (Green Party) [Giorgos PERDIKIS]
European Party or EVROKO [Dimitris SYLLOURIS]
Movement of Social Democrats or KS-EDEK [Marinos SIZOPOULOS]
National Popular Front or ELAM [Christos CHRISTOU]
Progressive Party of the Working People or AKEL (Communist Party) [Andros KYPRIANOU]
United Democrats or EDI [Praxoula ANTONIADOU]
area administered by Turkish Cypriots:
Communal Democracy Party or TDP [Cemal OZYIGIT]
Cyprus Socialist Party or KSP [Mehmet BIRINCI]
Democrat Party- National Forces or DP-UG [Serdar DENKTAS]
National Justice Party or UAP [Fatma SOLMAZ]
National Unity Party or UBP [Huseyin OZGURGUN]
New Cyprus Party or YKP [Murat KANATLI]
Republican Turkish Party-United Forces or CTP-BG [Ozkan YORGANCIOGLU]
Social Democratic Party or SDP [Tozun TUNALI]
United Cyprus Party or BKP [Izzet IZCAN]
Confederation of Cypriot Workers or SEK [Nicos MOYSEOS] (pro-West)
Pan-Cyprian Labor Federation or PEO (Communist controlled) [Pambis KYRITSIS]
area administered by Turkish Cypriots: Confederation of Revolutionary Labor Unions or Dev-Is
Federation of Turkish Cypriot Labor Unions or Turk-Sen [Asian BICAKLI]
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
chief of mission: Ambassador George CHACALLI (since 30 May 2013)
chancery: 2211 R Street NW, Washington, DC 20008
telephone: [1] (202) 462-5772, 462-0873
FAX: [1] (202) 483-6710
consulate(s) general: New York
note: representative of the Turkish Cypriot community in the US is Ahmet ERDENGIZ; office at 1667 K Street NW, Washington, DC; telephone [1] (202) 887-6198
chief of mission: Ambassador John M. KOENIG (since 17 August 2012)
embassy: corner of Metochiou and Ploutarchou Streets, 2407 Engomi, Nicosia
mailing address: P. O. Box 24536, 1385 Nicosia
telephone: [357] (22) 393939
FAX: [357] (22) 780944
white with a copper-colored silhouette of the island (the name Cyprus is derived from the Greek word for copper) above two green crossed olive branches in the center of the flag; the branches symbolize the hope for peace and reconciliation between the Greek and Turkish communities
note: the "Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus" flag retains the white field of the Cyprus national flag but displays narrow horizontal red stripes positioned a small distance from the top and bottom edges between which are centered a red crescent and a red five-pointed star; the banner is modeled after the Turkish national flag but with the colors reversed
Cypriot mouflon (wild sheep), white dove; national colors: blue, white
name: "Ymnos eis tin Eleftherian" (Hymn to Liberty)
lyrics/music: Dionysios SOLOMOS/Nikolaos MANTZAROS
note: adopted 1960; Cyprus adopted the Greek national anthem as its own; the Turkish community in Cyprus uses the anthem of Turkey
Economy :: CYPRUS
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The area of the Republic of Cyprus under government control has a market economy dominated by the service sector, which accounts for four-fifths of GDP. Tourism, financial services, and real estate have traditionally been the most important sectors. Cyprus has been a member of the European Union (EU) since May 2004 and adopted the euro as its national currency in January 2008. During the first five years of EU membership, the Cyprus economy grew at an average rate of about 4%, with unemployment between 2004 and 2008 averaging about 4%. However, the economy tipped into recession in 2009 as the ongoing global financial crisis and resulting low demand hit the tourism and construction sectors. An overextended banking sector with excessive exposure to Greek debt added to the contraction. Cyprus’s biggest two banks were among the largest holders of Greek bonds in Europe and had a substantial presence in Greece through bank branches and subsidiaries. Following numerous downgrades of its credit rating, Cyprus lost access to international capital markets in May 2011. In July 2012, Cyprus became the fifth eurozone government to request an economic bailout program from the European Commission, European Central Bank and the International Monetary Fund - known collectively as the "Troika."
Shortly after the election of President Nikos ANASTASIADES in February 2013, Cyprus reached an agreement with the Troika on a $10 billion bailout that resulted in losses on uninsured bank deposits. The bailout triggered a two-week bank closure and the imposition of capital controls that were completely withdrawn in April 2015. Cyprus' two largest banks merged and the combined entity was recapitalized through conversion of some large bank deposits to shares and imposition of losses on bank bondholders. As with other EU countries, the Troika conditioned the bailout on passing financial and structural reforms and privatizing state-owned enterprises. Despite downsizing and restructuring, the Cypriot financial sector throughout 2014 remained burdened by the largest stock of non-performing loans (NPLs) in the euro-zone, equal to nearly half of all loans. Since the bailout, Cyprus has received positive appraisals by the Troika but met its first signs of resistance to passing bailout-mandated legislation in 2014. Political disagreements held up passage of contentious legislation required by the Troika to reform bankruptcy rules, delaying disbursal of bailout funds during the second half of the year. In October 2013, a US-Israeli consortium completed preliminary appraisals of hydrocarbon deposits in Cyprus’ exclusive economic zone (EEZ), which revealed an estimated gross mean reserve of about 140 billion cubic meters. Though exploration continues in Cyprus’ EEZ, no additional commercially exploitable reserves were identified during the exploratory drilling in 2014/2015. Nevertheless, developing its offshore hydrocarbon resources remains a critical component to the government’s economic recovery efforts. Industry experts say there may be exploratory and development drilling in 2016 and 2017.
Economy - overview: 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" ("TRNC"), until political conditions permit the reunification of the island. The market-based economy of the TRNC 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. In 2012 - the latest year for which data are available - the services sector, which includes the public sector, trade, tourism, and education, contributed 58.7% to economic output. In the same year, light manufacturing and agriculture contributed 2.7% and 6.2%, respectively. Manufacturing is limited mainly to food and beverages, furniture and fixtures, construction materials, metal and non-metal products, textiles and clothing. The “TRNC” maintains few economic ties with the Republic of Cyprus outside of trade in construction materials. Since its creation, the "TRNC" has heavily relied on financial assistance from Turkey, which supports the "TRNC" defense, telecommunications, water and postal services. The Turkish Lira is the preferred currency, though foreign currencies are widely accepted in business transactions. The "TRNC" remains vulnerable to the Turkish market and monetary policy because of its use of the Turkish Lira. The "TRNC" weathered the European financial crisis relatively unscathed - compared to the Republic of Cyprus - because of the lack of financial sector development, the health of the Turkish economy, and its separation from the rest of the island. The TRNC economy experienced growth estimated at 2.8% in 2013 and 2.3% in 2014 and is projected to grow 3.8% in 2015.
$27.42 billion (2014 est.)
$28.05 billion (2013 est.)
$29.64 billion (2012 est.)
note: data are in 2014 US dollars
GDP (purchasing power parity): $1.829 billion (2007 est.)
$23.27 billion (2014 est.)
-2.3% (2014 est.)
-5.4% (2013 est.)
-2.4% (2012 est.)
GDP - real growth rate: 2.3% (2014 est.)
$30,800 (2014 est.)
$31,500 (2013 est.)
$33,300 (2012 est.)
note: data are in 2014 US dollars
country comparison to the world: 60
10.1% of GDP (2014 est.)
10.4% of GDP (2013 est.)
10.1% of GDP (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 151
household consumption: 71.5%
government consumption: 18.2%
investment in fixed capital: 10.6%
investment in inventories: -0.5%
exports of goods and services: 46.8%
imports of goods and services: -46.5%
(2014 est.)
agriculture: 2.9%
industry: 10.5%
services: 86.6% (2015 est.)
citrus, vegetables, barley, grapes, olives, vegetables; poultry, pork, lamb; dairy, cheese
Agriculture - products: citrus fruit, dairy, potatoes, grapes, olives, poultry, lamb
tourism, food and beverage processing, cement and gypsum, ship repair and refurbishment, textiles, light chemicals, metal products, wood, paper, stone and clay products
Industries: foodstuffs, textiles, clothing, ship repair, clay, gypsum, copper, furniture
-3.5% (2014 est.)
Industrial production growth rate: -0.3% (2007 est.)
356,700 (2013 est.)
Labor force: 95,030 (2007 est.)
agriculture: 3.9%
industry: 16%
services: 80.1% (2013 est.)
Labor force - by occupation: agriculture: 14.5%, industry: 29%, services: 56.5% (2004)
16% (2014 est.)
15.9% (2013 est.)
Unemployment rate: 9.4% (2005 est.)
NA%
Population below poverty line: %NA
lowest 10%: 3.5%
highest 10%: 26.4% (2013)
32.4 (2013 est.)
31 (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 105
revenues:: $8.381 billion
expenditures:: $9.448 billion (2014 est.)
Budget: revenues: $2.5 billion, expenditures: $2.5 billion (2006)
39.3% of GDP (2014 est.)
country comparison to the world: 40
-5% of GDP (2014 est.)
country comparison to the world: 166
107.5% of GDP (2014 est.)
111.7% of GDP (2013 est.)
note: data cover general government debt, and includes 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 intra-governmental debt; intra-governmental debt consists of treasury borrowings from surpluses in the social funds, such as for retirement, medical care, and unemployment
country comparison to the world: 8
calendar year
-0.3% (2014 est.)
0.4% (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 15
0.75% (31 December 2013)
1.5% (31 December 2010)
note: this is the European Central Bank's rate on the marginal lending facility, which offers overnight credit to banks in the euro area
country comparison to the world: 134
6.1% (31 December 2014 est.)
6.89% (31 December 2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 130
$4.554 billion (31 December 2014 est.)
$4.883 billion (31 December 2013 est.)
note: see entry for the European Union for money supply for the entire euro area; the European Central Bank (ECB) controls monetary policy for the 18 members of the Economic and Monetary Union (EMU); individual members of the EMU do not control the quantity of money circulating within their own borders
country comparison to the world: 105
$43.41 billion (31 December 2014 est.)
$47.99 billion (31 December 2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 72
$47.08 billion (31 December 2014 est.)
$52.05 billion (31 December 2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 63
$1.996 billion (31 December 2012 est.)
$2.853 billion (31 December 2011)
$6.834 billion (31 December 2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 101
-$229 million (2014 est.)
-$412 million (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 94
$1.916 billion (2014 est.)
$2.14 billion (2013 est.)
Exports: $68.1 million, f.o.b. (2007 est.)
citrus, potatoes, pharmaceuticals, cement, clothing
Greece 17.5%, UK 10.8%, Israel 5.8% (2014)
$6.827 billion (2014 est.)
$6.42 billion (2013 est.)
Imports: $1.2 billion, f.o.b. (2007 est.)
consumer goods, petroleum and lubricants, machinery, transport equipment
Greece 23.8%, Israel 9.6%, UK 7.4%, Italy 7.2%, Germany 7.1%, Netherlands 5.7%, France 5.6%, Spain 4.8%, China 4.3% (2014)
$1.011 billion (31 December 2014 est.)
$915 million (31 December 2013 est.)
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold: $NA
$95.28 billion (31 December 2013 est.)
$103.5 billion (31 December 2012 est.)
Debt - external: $NA
$21.9 billion (31 December 2014 est.)
$20.9 billion (31 December 2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 74
$12.52 billion (31 December 2014 est.)
$11.57 billion (31 December 2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 53
euros (EUR) per US dollar -
0.7489 (2014 est.)
0.7634 (2013 est.)
0.78 (2012 est.)
0.7185 (2011 est.)
0.755 (2010 est.)
Exchange rates: Turkish new lira per US dollar: 1.9 (2013) 1.8 (2012) 1.668 (2011) 1.5026 (2010) 1.55 (2009)
Economy - overview: 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" ("TRNC"), until political conditions permit the reunification of the island. The market-based economy of the TRNC 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. In 2012 - the latest year for which data are available - the services sector, which includes the public sector, trade, tourism, and education, contributed 58.7% to economic output. In the same year, light manufacturing and agriculture contributed 2.7% and 6.2%, respectively. Manufacturing is limited mainly to food and beverages, furniture and fixtures, construction materials, metal and non-metal products, textiles and clothing. The “TRNC” maintains few economic ties with the Republic of Cyprus outside of trade in construction materials. Since its creation, the "TRNC" has heavily relied on financial assistance from Turkey, which supports the "TRNC" defense, telecommunications, water and postal services. The Turkish Lira is the preferred currency, though foreign currencies are widely accepted in business transactions. The "TRNC" remains vulnerable to the Turkish market and monetary policy because of its use of the Turkish Lira. The "TRNC" weathered the European financial crisis relatively unscathed - compared to the Republic of Cyprus - because of the lack of financial sector development, the health of the Turkish economy, and its separation from the rest of the island. The TRNC economy experienced growth estimated at 2.8% in 2013 and 2.3% in 2014 and is projected to grow 3.8% in 2015.
GDP (purchasing power parity): $1.829 billion (2007 est.)
GDP - real growth rate: 2.3% (2014 est.)
2.8% (2013 est.)
GDP - per capita: $11,700 (2007 est.)
GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 6.2%, industry: 35.1%, services: 58.7% (2012 est.)
Labor force: 95,030 (2007 est.)
Labor force - by occupation: agriculture: 14.5%, industry: 29%, services: 56.5% (2004)
Unemployment rate: 9.4% (2005 est.)
Population below poverty line: %NA
Inflation rate: 11.4% (2006)
Budget: revenues: $2.5 billion, expenditures: $2.5 billion (2006)
Agriculture - products: citrus fruit, dairy, potatoes, grapes, olives, poultry, lamb
Industries: foodstuffs, textiles, clothing, ship repair, clay, gypsum, copper, furniture
Industrial production growth rate: -0.3% (2007 est.)
Electricity production: 998.9 million kWh (2005)
Electricity consumption: 797.9 million kWh (2005)
Exports: $68.1 million, f.o.b. (2007 est.)
Export - commodities: citrus, dairy, potatoes, textiles
Export - partners: Turkey 40%; direct trade between the area administered by Turkish Cypriots and the area under government control remains limited
Imports: $1.2 billion, f.o.b. (2007 est.)
Import - commodities: vehicles, fuel, cigarettes, food, minerals, chemicals, machinery
Import - partners: Turkey 60%; direct trade between the area administered by Turkish Cypriots and the area under government control remains limited
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold: $NA
Debt - external: $NA
Currency (code): Turkish new lira (YTL)
Exchange rates: Turkish new lira per US dollar: 1.9 (2013) 1.8 (2012) 1.668 (2011) 1.5026 (2010) 1.55 (2009)
Energy :: CYPRUS
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3.942 billion kWh (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 125
4.409 billion kWh (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 119
0 kWh (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 130
0 kWh (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 137
1.11 million kW (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 121
86.9% of total installed capacity (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 83
0% of total installed capacity (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 75
0% of total installed capacity (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 167
13.1% of total installed capacity (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 23
0 bbl/day (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 167
0 bbl/day (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 101
0 bbl/day (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 177
0 bbl (1 January 2014 est.)
country comparison to the world: 123
0 bbl/day (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 136
58,000 bbl/day (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 96
0 bbl/day (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 170
58,310 bbl/day (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 65
0 cu m (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 122
0 cu m (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 136
0 cu m (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 85
0 cu m (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 184
141.6 billion cu m (1 January 2014 est.)
country comparison to the world: 129
8.801 million Mt (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 107
Communications :: CYPRUS
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total subscriptions: 330,000
subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 28 (2014 est.)
country comparison to the world: 112
total: 1.1 million
subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 95 (2014 est.)
country comparison to the world: 157
general assessment: excellent in both area under government control and area administered by Turkish Cypriots
domestic: open-wire, fiber-optic cable, and microwave radio relay
international: country code - 357 (area administered by Turkish Cypriots uses the country code of Turkey - 90); a number of submarine cables, including the SEA-ME-WE-3, combine to provide connectivity to Western Europe, the Middle East, and Asia; tropospheric scatter; satellite earth stations - 8 (3 Intelsat - 1 Atlantic Ocean and 2 Indian Ocean, 2 Eutelsat, 2 Intersputnik, and 1 Arabsat)
mixture of state and privately run TV and radio services; the public broadcaster operates 2 TV channels and 4 radio stations; 6 private TV broadcasters, satellite and cable TV services including telecasts from Greece and Turkey, and a number of private radio stations are available; in areas administered by Turkish Cypriots, there are 2 public TV stations, 4 public radio stations, and privately owned TV and radio broadcast stations (2007)
area under government control: AM 5, FM 76, shortwave 0
area administered by Turkish Cypriots: AM 1, FM 20, shortwave 1 (2004)
area under government control: 8
area administered by Turkish Cypriots: 2 (plus 4 relay) (2004)
.cy
total: 738,900
percent of population: 63.0% (2014 est.)
country comparison to the world: 127
Transportation :: CYPRUS
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15 (2013)
country comparison to the world: 145
total: 13
2,438 to 3,047 m: 7
1,524 to 2,437 m: 2
914 to 1,523 m: 3
under 914 m: 1 (2013)
total: 2
under 914 m:
2 (2013)
9 (2013)
total: 20,006 km
government control: 13,006 km (includes 2,277 km of expressways)
paved: 8,564 km
unpaved: 4,442 km
Turkish Cypriot control: 7,000 km (2011)
country comparison to the world: 108
total: 838
by type: bulk carrier 278, cargo 163, chemical tanker 77, container 201, liquefied gas 11, passenger 3, passenger/cargo 25, petroleum tanker 62, refrigerated cargo 5, roll on/roll off 9, vehicle carrier 4
foreign-owned: 622 (Angola 1, Austria 1, Belgium 3, Bermuda 1, Canada 2, China 6, Denmark 6, Estonia 6, France 16, Germany 192, Greece 201, Hong Kong 2, India 4, Iran 10, Ireland 3, Italy 6, Japan 16, Netherlands 23, Norway 14, Philippines 1, Poland 24, Portugal 2, Russia 46, Singapore 1, Slovenia 5, Spain 6, Sweden 5, Turkey 1, UAE 3, UK 7, Ukraine 3, US 5)
registered in other countries: 152 (Bahamas 23, Cambodia 4, Comoros 2, Finland 1, Gibraltar 1, Greece 3, Hong Kong 3, Liberia 9, Malta 32, Marshall Islands 40, Norway 1, Panama 5, Russia 13, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines 3, Sierra Leone 2, Singapore 6, unknown 4) (2010)
country comparison to the world: 13
major seaport(s): area under government control: Larnaca, Limassol, Vasilikos; area administered by Turkish Cypriots: Famagusta, Kyrenia
Military :: CYPRUS
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Republic of Cyprus: Cypriot National Guard (Ethniki Froura, EF; includes naval and air elements); Northern Cyprus: Turkish Cypriot Security Force (GKK) (2014)
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; 2-year service obligation (2014)
Cypriot National Guard (CNG):
males age 16-49: 327,875
females age 16-49: 287,891 (2010 est.)
Cypriot National Guard (CNG):
males age 16-49: 275,842
females age 16-49: 239,862 (2010 est.)
male: 8,167
female: 7,398 (2010 est.)
2.1% of GDP (2013)
2.05% of GDP (2012)
2.14% of GDP (2011)
2.05% of GDP (2010)
country comparison to the world: 37
Transnational Issues :: CYPRUS
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hostilities in 1974 divided the island into two de facto autonomous entities, the internationally recognized Cypriot Government and a Turkish-Cypriot community (north Cyprus); the 1,000-strong UN Peacekeeping Force in Cyprus (UNFICYP) has served in Cyprus since 1964 and maintains the buffer zone between north and south; on 1 May 2004, Cyprus entered the European Union still divided, with the EU's body of legislation and standards (acquis communitaire) suspended in the north; Turkey protests Cypriot Government creating hydrocarbon blocks and maritime boundary with Lebanon in March 2007
IDPs: 212,400 (both Turkish and Greek Cypriots; many displaced since 1974) (2015) (2014)
current situation: Cyprus is a source and destination country for men and women from Eastern Europe, India, Vietnam, and sub-Saharan Africa who are subjected to forced labor and sex trafficking; migrant workers and asylum seekers from these countries are subjected to forced work in the construction, agriculture, and domestic service sectors; migrant workers are often subjected to debt bondage, threats, and withholding of pay and documents once work permits expire; sex trafficking occurs within Cyprus’ commercial sex industry outlets, including bars, coffee shops, and cabarets
tier rating: Tier 2 Watch List – Cyprus does not fully comply with the minimum standards for the elimination of trafficking; however, it is making significant efforts to do so; in 2013, the government implemented an EU directive that strengthened its legal framework for combating human trafficking, and a new-anti-trafficking action plan was adopted for 2013-2015; significant decreases occurred in investigations, prosecutions, and convictions of trafficking offenses, and punishments remained weak; fewer trafficking victims were identified (2014)
minor transit point for heroin and hashish via air routes and container traffic to Europe, especially from Lebanon and Turkey; some cocaine transits as well; despite a strengthening of anti-money-laundering legislation, remains vulnerable to money laundering; reporting of suspicious transactions in offshore sector remains weak (2008)
Central Intelligence Agency
