Unemployment, total (% of total labor force) in Cyprus
Cyprus: Unemployment, total (% of total labor force) was 4.4% in 2025. ◆ Volatile
Unemployment, total (% of total labor force) in Cyprus, 1975–2025
Source: Labour Force Statistics database (LFS), International Labour Organization (ILO).
Analysis
In 2025, unemployment, total (% of total labor force) in Cyprus stood at 4.4%.
The figure is down 9.6% on the previous year and down 70.7% over ten years.
Over the whole period, unemployment, total (% of total labor force) in Cyprus peaked at 17.6% in 1977 and was at its lowest, 1.7%, in 1979.
That places Cyprus 117th out of 187 countries with data for 2025, putting it in the middle of the range.
The series is highly variable year to year, so single readings are best treated with caution.
Unemployment, total (% of total labor force) in Cyprus, year by year
| Year | Value | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1975 | 10.9% | — |
| 1976 | 7.4% | -32.1% |
| 1977 | 17.6% | +138.3% |
| 1978 | 13.0% | -26.5% |
| 1979 | 1.7% | -86.9% |
| 1980 | 2.0% | +17.6% |
| 1981 | 2.6% | +30.0% |
| 1982 | 2.8% | +7.7% |
| 1983 | 3.3% | +17.9% |
| 1984 | 3.3% | +0.0% |
| 1985 | 11.0% | +232.1% |
| 1986 | 3.7% | -66.2% |
| 1987 | 9.7% | +162.0% |
| 1988 | 9.1% | -5.7% |
| 1989 | 8.3% | -9.6% |
| 1990 | 7.0% | -15.1% |
| 1991 | 7.8% | +11.5% |
| 1992 | 2.1% | -73.3% |
| 1993 | 2.7% | +29.4% |
| 1994 | 2.7% | +0.0% |
| 1995 | 5.9% | +120.0% |
| 1996 | 3.1% | -47.8% |
| 1997 | 3.4% | +9.7% |
| 1998 | 3.3% | -2.9% |
| 1999 | 5.5% | +67.6% |
| 2000 | 4.8% | -13.8% |
| 2001 | 4.0% | -15.2% |
| 2002 | 3.3% | -17.5% |
| 2003 | 4.2% | +24.5% |
| 2004 | 4.8% | +14.9% |
| 2005 | 5.5% | +14.9% |
| 2006 | 4.6% | -16.2% |
| 2007 | 3.9% | -14.1% |
| 2008 | 3.8% | -4.8% |
| 2009 | 5.6% | +48.9% |
| 2010 | 6.4% | +13.7% |
| 2011 | 7.9% | +24.9% |
| 2012 | 12.1% | +52.3% |
| 2013 | 16.1% | +33.3% |
| 2014 | 16.3% | +0.9% |
| 2015 | 15.0% | -7.7% |
| 2016 | 13.0% | -13.4% |
| 2017 | 11.2% | -14.2% |
| 2018 | 8.5% | -23.8% |
| 2019 | 7.2% | -15.9% |
| 2020 | 7.8% | +8.4% |
| 2021 | 7.5% | -3.1% |
| 2022 | 6.8% | -9.4% |
| 2023 | 5.8% | -14.3% |
| 2024 | 4.9% | -16.6% |
| 2025 | 4.4% | -9.6% |
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1970s | 10.1% | 1.7% | 17.6% | 5 |
| 1980s | 5.6% | 2.0% | 11.0% | 10 |
| 1990s | 4.4% | 2.1% | 7.8% | 10 |
| 2000s | 4.4% | 3.3% | 5.6% | 10 |
| 2010s | 11.4% | 6.4% | 16.3% | 10 |
| 2020s | 6.2% | 4.4% | 7.8% | 6 |
Countries ranked near Cyprus
More work & labour data for Cyprus
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Total Population - Both sexes, annual -0.3415 % change on previous year (2100)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Total Population - Male, annual growth -0.3363 % change on previous year (2100)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Total Population - Female, annual growth -0.3471 % change on previous year (2100)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Rural population, annual growth rate -1.03 % change on previous year (2050)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Urban population, annual growth rate 0.6588 % change on previous year (2050)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Urban population 1,030 1000 No (2050)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Rural population 353.01 1000 No (2050)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Total Population - Female 631.64 1000 No (2100)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Total Population - Male 643.71 1000 No (2100)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Total Population - Both sexes 1,275 1000 No (2100)
Frequently asked questions
- What is unemployment, total (% of total labor force) in Cyprus?
- Unemployment, total (% of total labor force) in Cyprus was 4.4% in 2025, according to Labour Force Statistics database (LFS), International Labour Organization (ILO).
- What is the highest unemployment, total (% of total labor force) recorded in Cyprus?
- The highest recorded value was 17.6% in 1977.
- What is the lowest unemployment, total (% of total labor force) recorded in Cyprus?
- The lowest recorded value was 1.7% in 1979.
- How does Cyprus rank for unemployment, total (% of total labor force)?
- Cyprus ranks 117th out of 187 countries with data for 2025.
- Is unemployment, total (% of total labor force) rising or falling in Cyprus?
- Over the last ten years it is down 70.7%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this Cyprus data come from?
- The figures come from Labour Force Statistics database (LFS), International Labour Organization (ILO), published as part of Unemployment, total (% of total labor force) (national estimate). Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
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About this data
Unemployment refers to the share of the labor force that is without work but available for and seeking employment. Definitions of labor force and unemployment differ by country.