Cyprus

Broadcast media

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)

Internet country code

.cy

Internet users

total: 853,000 | percent of population: 71.7% (July 2015 est.) | country comparison to the world: 127

Telephone system

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)

Telephones - fixed lines

total subscriptions: 323,707 | subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 27 (July 2015 est.) | country comparison to the world: 112

Telephones - mobile cellular

total: 1.111 million | subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 93 (July 2015 est.) | country comparison to the world: 157

Agriculture - products

citrus, vegetables, barley, grapes, olives, vegetables; poultry, pork, lamb; dairy, cheese | Agriculture - products: citrus fruit, dairy, potatoes, grapes, olives, poultry, lamb

Budget

revenues:: $7.547 billion | expenditures:: $7.747 billion (2015 est.) | Budget: revenues: $2.5 billion, expenditures: $2.5 billion (2006)

Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-)

-1% of GDP (2015 est.) | country comparison to the world: 57

Central bank discount rate

0.05% (31 December 2013) | 0.3% (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: 154

Commercial bank prime lending rate

4.69% (31 December 2015 est.) | 5.88% (31 December 2014 est.) | country comparison to the world: 145

Current account balance

-$992 million (2015 est.) | -$1.052 billion (2014 est.) | country comparison to the world: 111

Debt - external

$95.28 billion (31 December 2013 est.) | $103.5 billion (31 December 2012 est.) | Debt - external: $NA | country comparison to the world: 51

Distribution of family income - Gini index

34.8 (2014 est.) | 32.4 (2013 est.) | country comparison to the world: 95

Economy - overview

The area of the Republic of Cyprus under government control has a market economy dominated by the service sector, which accounts for more than four-fifths of GDP. Tourism, financial services, shipping, and real estate have traditionally been the most important sectors. Cyprus has been a member of the 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’ 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 euro-zone 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 $13 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 remained partially in place until 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 2015 remained burdened by the largest stock of non-performing loans in the euro zone, equal to nearly half of all loans. Since the bailout, Cyprus has received positive appraisals by the Troika and outperformed fiscal targets but has struggled to overcome political opposition to bailout-mandated legislation, particularly regarding privatizations. Cyprus emerged from recession in 2015 and its economy grew an estimated 1.6% for the year, setting a positive tone for the scheduled end of the bailout program in March 2016. | 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 130 billion cubic meters. Though exploration continues in Cyprus’ EEZ, no additional commercially exploitable reserves were identified during the exploratory drilling in 2014/2015. Developing offshore hydrocarbon resources remains a critical component of the government’s economic recovery efforts, but development has been delayed as a result of regional developments and disagreements about exploitation methods. | 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.

Economy of the area administered by Turkish Cypriots

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)

Exchange rates

euros (EUR) per US dollar - | 0.885 (2015 est.) | 0.7525 (2014 est.) | 0.7634 (2013 est.) | 0.78 (2012 est.) | 0.7185 (2011 est.) | Exchange rates: Turkish new lira per US dollar: 1.9 (2013) 1.8 (2012) 1.668 (2011) 1.5026 (2010) 1.55 (2009)

Exports

$2.759 billion (2015 est.) | $3.751 billion (2014 est.) | Exports: $68.1 million, f.o.b. (2007 est.) | country comparison to the world: 129

Exports - commodities

citrus, potatoes, pharmaceuticals, cement, clothing

Exports - partners

Greece 10.9%, Ireland 10.2%, UK 7.2%, Israel 6% (2015)

Fiscal year

calendar year

GDP (official exchange rate)

$19.33 billion (2015 est.)

GDP (purchasing power parity)

$28.06 billion (2015 est.) | $27.62 billion (2014 est.) | $28.33 billion (2013 est.) | note: data are in 2015 US dollars | GDP (purchasing power parity): $1.829 billion (2007 est.) | country comparison to the world: 133

GDP - composition, by end use

household consumption: 70.2% | government consumption: 15.8% | investment in fixed capital: 13.4% | investment in inventories: 2% | exports of goods and services: 59.9% | imports of goods and services: -61.3% (2015 est.)

GDP - composition, by sector of origin

agriculture: 2.4% | industry: 10.5% | services: 87.1% (2015 est.)

GDP - per capita (PPP)

$32,800 (2015 est.) | $32,600 (2014 est.) | $33,000 (2013 est.) | note: data are in 2015 US dollars | country comparison to the world: 57

GDP - real growth rate

1.6% (2015 est.) | -2.5% (2014 est.) | -5.9% (2013 est.) | GDP - real growth rate: 2.3% (2014 est.) | country comparison to the world: 148

Gross national saving

11.7% of GDP (2015 est.) | 8.6% of GDP (2014 est.) | 8.7% of GDP (2013 est.) | country comparison to the world: 146

Household income or consumption by percentage share

lowest 10%: 3.3% | highest 10%: 28.8% (2014)

Imports

$6.286 billion (2015 est.) | $7.473 billion (2014 est.) | Imports: $1.2 billion, f.o.b. (2007 est.) | country comparison to the world: 117

Imports - commodities

consumer goods, petroleum and lubricants, machinery, transport equipment

Imports - partners

Greece 25.7%, UK 9.1%, Italy 8%, Germany 7.5%, Israel 5.5%, China 4.8%, Netherlands 4.1% (2015)

Industrial production growth rate

-0.2% (2015 est.) | Industrial production growth rate: -0.3% (2007 est.) | country comparison to the world: 166

Industries

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

Inflation rate (consumer prices)

-2.1% (2015 est.) | -1.4% (2014 est.) | country comparison to the world: 8

Labor force

424,400 (2015 est.) | Labor force: 95,030 (2007 est.) | country comparison to the world: 159

Labor force - by occupation

agriculture: 3.8% | industry: 15.2% | services: 81% (2014 est.) | Labor force - by occupation: agriculture: 14.5%, industry: 29%, services: 56.5% (2004)

Market value of publicly traded shares

$1.996 billion (31 December 2015 est.) | $2.853 billion (31 December 2014 est.) | $6.834 billion (31 December 2013 est.) | country comparison to the world: 96

Population below poverty line

NA% | Population below poverty line: %NA

Public debt

108.9% of GDP (2015 est.) | 108.2% of GDP (2014 est.) | note: data cover general government debt and include 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: 10

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold

$807.6 million (31 December 2015 est.) | $890.9 million (31 December 2014 est.) | Reserves of foreign exchange and gold: $NA | country comparison to the world: 135

Stock of broad money

$43.41 billion (31 December 2014 est.) | $47.99 billion (31 December 2013 est.) | country comparison to the world: 72

Stock of direct foreign investment - abroad

$135.2 billion (31 December 2015 est.) | $140.8 billion (31 December 2014 est.) | country comparison to the world: 32

Stock of direct foreign investment - at home

$140.4 billion (31 December 2015 est.) | $151 billion (31 December 2014 est.) | country comparison to the world: 36

Stock of domestic credit

$59.58 billion (31 December 2015 est.) | $65.42 billion (31 December 2014 est.) | country comparison to the world: 62

Stock of narrow money

$4.031 billion (31 December 2015 est.) | $4.343 billion (31 December 2014 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: 107

Taxes and other revenues

39% of GDP (2015 est.) | country comparison to the world: 45

Unemployment rate

14.9% (2015 est.) | 16.2% (2014 est.) | Unemployment rate: 9.4% (2005 est.) | country comparison to the world: 152

Carbon dioxide emissions from consumption of energy

9.1 million Mt (2013 est.) | country comparison to the world: 107

Crude oil - exports

0 bbl/day (2013 est.) | country comparison to the world: 115

Crude oil - imports

0 bbl/day (2013 est.) | country comparison to the world: 180

Crude oil - production

0 bbl/day (2015 est.) | country comparison to the world: 124

Crude oil - proved reserves

0 bbl (1 January 2016 es) | country comparison to the world: 123

Electricity - consumption

3.9 billion kWh (2014 est.) | country comparison to the world: 122

Electricity - exports

0 kWh (2013 est.) | country comparison to the world: 130

Electricity - from fossil fuels

90% of total installed capacity (2012 est.) | country comparison to the world: 77

Electricity - from hydroelectric plants

0% of total installed capacity (2012 est.) | country comparison to the world: 169

Electricity - from nuclear fuels

0% of total installed capacity (2012 est.) | country comparison to the world: 77

Electricity - from other renewable sources

10% of total installed capacity (2012 est.) | country comparison to the world: 38

Electricity - imports

0 kWh (2013 est.) | country comparison to the world: 140

Electricity - installed generating capacity

1.7 million kW (2014 est.) | country comparison to the world: 113

Electricity - production

4.1 billion kWh (2014 est.) | country comparison to the world: 125

Electricity access

electrification - total population: 100% (2016)

Natural gas - consumption

0 cu m (2013 est.) | country comparison to the world: 136

Natural gas - exports

0 cu m (2013 est.) | country comparison to the world: 87

Natural gas - imports

0 cu m (2013 est.) | country comparison to the world: 187

Natural gas - production

0 cu m (2013 est.) | country comparison to the world: 177

Natural gas - proved reserves

141.6 billion cu m (1 January 2014 es) | country comparison to the world: 49

Refined petroleum products - consumption

45,000 bbl/day (2014 est.) | country comparison to the world: 97

Refined petroleum products - exports

0 bbl/day (2013 est.) | country comparison to the world: 174

Refined petroleum products - imports

46,690 bbl/day (2013 est.) | country comparison to the world: 78

Refined petroleum products - production

0 bbl/day (2013 est.) | country comparison to the world: 173

Area

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

Area - comparative

about 0.6 times the size of Connecticut

Climate

temperate; Mediterranean with hot, dry summers and cool winters

Coastline

648 km

Elevation

mean elevation: 91 m | elevation extremes: lowest point: Mediterranean Sea 0 m | highest point: Mount Olympus 1,951 m

Environment - current issues

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

Environment - international agreements

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

Geographic coordinates

35 00 N, 33 00 E

Geography - note

the third largest island in the Mediterranean Sea (after Sicily and Sardinia)

Irrigated land

460 sq km (2012)

Land boundaries

total: 156 km | border sovereign base areas: Akrotiri 48 km, Dhekelia 108 km

Land use

agricultural land: 13.4% | arable land 9.8%; permanent crops 3.2%; permanent pasture 0.4% | forest: 18.8% | other: 67.8% (2011 est.)

Location

Middle East, island in the Mediterranean Sea, south of Turkey; note - Cyprus views itself as part of Europe; geopolitically, it can be classified as falling within Europe, the Middle East, or both

Map references

Middle East

Maritime claims

territorial sea: 12 nm | contiguous zone: 24 nm | continental shelf: 200-m depth or to the depth of exploitation

Natural hazards

moderate earthquake activity; droughts

Natural resources

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

Population - distribution

population concentrated in central Nicosia and in the major cities of the south: Paphos, Limassol, and Larnaca

Terrain

central plain with mountains to north and south; scattered but significant plains along southern coast

Administrative divisions

6 districts; Ammochostos (Famagusta); (all but a small part located in the Turkish Cypriot community), Keryneia (Kyrenia; the only district located entirely in the Turkish Cypriot community), Larnaka (Larnaca; with a small part located in the Turkish Cypriot community), Lefkosia (Nicosia; a small part administered by Turkish Cypriots), Lemesos (Limassol), Pafos (Paphos); note - the 5 "districts" of the "TRNC" are Gazimagusa (Famagusta), Girne (Kyrenia), Guzelyurt (Morphou), Iskele (Trikomo), Lefkosia (Nicosia)

Capital

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

Citizenship

citizenship by birth: no | citizenship by descent only: at least one parent must be a citizen of Cyprus | dual citizenship recognized: yes | residency requirement for naturalization: 7 years

Constitution

ratified 16 August 1960; amended 1996, 2013; 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 (2016)

Country name

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") | etymology: the derivation of the name "Cyprus" is unknown, but the extensive mining of copper metal on the island in antiquity gave rise to the Latin word "cuprum" for copper

Diplomatic representation from the US

chief of mission: Ambassador Kathleen Ann DOHERTY (since 7 October 2015) | 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

Diplomatic representation in the US

chief of mission: Ambassador Leonidas PANTELIDIS (since 27 June 2016) | 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 Ismet KORUKOGLU; office at 1667 K Street NW, Washington, DC; telephone [1] (202) 887-6198

Executive branch

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%; Huseyin OZGURGUN is "TRNC prime minister" since 8 April 2016

Flag description

white with a copper-colored silhouette of the island (the island has long been famous for its copper deposits) 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

Government type

Republic of Cyprus - presidential democracy; Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (self-declared) - semi-presidential democracy | note: a separation of the two main ethnic communities inhabiting the island began following the outbreak of communal strife in 1963; this separation was further solidified when a Greek military-junta-supported coup attempt prompted the Turkish intervention in July 1974 that gave the Turkish Cypriots de facto control in the north; Greek Cypriots control the only internationally recognized government on the island; on 15 November 1983, then Turkish Cypriot "President" Rauf DENKTAS declared independence and the formation of a "Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus" ("TRNC"), which is recognized only by Turkey

Independence

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

International law organization participation

accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction with reservations; accepts ICCt jurisdiction

International organization participation

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

Judicial branch

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 can serve until age 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"

Legal system

mixed legal system of English common law and civil law with European law supremacy

Legislative branch

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 2016 (next to be held in May 2021); 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 30.7%, AKEL 25.7%, DIKO 14.5%, KS-EDEK 6.2%, Citizen's Alliance 5.0% Solidarity Movement 5.2%, other 11.7%; seats by party - DISY 18, AKEL 16, DIKO 9, KS-EDEK 3, Citizen's Alliance 3, Solidarity Movement 3, other 7; area administered by Turkish Cypriots: "Assembly of the Republic" - percent of vote by party - CTP-BG 38.4%, UBP 27.3%, DP-UG 23.2%, TDP 7.4%, other 3.7%; seats by party - CTP-BG 21, UBP 14, DP-UG 12, TDP 3

National anthem

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 Cypriot community in Cyprus uses the anthem of Turkey

National holiday

Independence Day, 1 October (1960); note - Turkish Cypriots celebrate 15 November (1983) as "Republic Day"

National symbol(s)

Cypriot mouflon (wild sheep), white dove; national colors: blue, white

Political parties and leaders

Citizens' Alliance or SP [Giorgos LILLIKAS] | Democratic Party or DIKO [Nikolas PAPADOPOULOS] | Democratic Rally or DISY [Averof NEOPHYTOU (of 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] | Solidarity Movement [Eleni THEOCHAROUS] | United Democrats or EDI [Praxoula ANTONIADOU] | 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] | People's Party or HP [Kudret OZERSAY] | Republican Turkish Party-United Forces or CTP-BG [Mehmet Ali TALAT] | Social Democratic Party or SDP [Tozun TUNALI] | United Cyprus Party or BKP [Izzet IZCAN]

Political pressure groups and leaders

Confederation of Cypriot Workers or SEK [Nikos MOYSEOS] (pro-West) | Pan-Cyprian Labor Federation or PEO [Pambis KYRITSIS] (Communist controlled) | area administered by Turkish Cypriots: Confederation of Revolutionary Labor Unions or Dev-Is | Federation of Turkish Cypriot Labor Unions or Turk-Sen [Asian BICAKLI]

Suffrage

18 years of age; universal

Background

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. A UN-mediated agreement, the Annan Plan, failed to win approval by both communities in 2004. 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 resumed in earnest in May 2015 following the election of a new Turkish Cypriot "president." 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 EU states.

Military branches

Republic of Cyprus: Cypriot National Guard (Ethniki Froura, EF; includes naval and air elements); Northern Cyprus: Turkish Cypriot Security Force (GKK) (2014)

Military expenditures

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

Military service age and obligation

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; 14-month service obligation (2016)

Age structure

0-14 years: 15.58% (male 96,582/female 91,296) | 15-24 years: 14.37% (male 94,262/female 78,982) | 25-54 years: 46.99% (male 298,368/female 268,080) | 55-64 years: 11.26% (male 65,005/female 70,752) | 65 years and over: 11.8% (male 61,581/female 80,667) (2016 est.)

Birth rate

11.4 births/1,000 population (2016 est.) | country comparison to the world: 173

Death rate

6.7 deaths/1,000 population (2016 est.) | country comparison to the world: 138

Dependency ratios

total dependency ratio: 41.6% | youth dependency ratio: 23.4% | elderly dependency ratio: 18.2% | potential support ratio: 5.5% (2015 est.)

Drinking water source

urban: 100% of population | rural: 100% of population | total: 100% of population | urban: 0% of population | rural: 0% of population | total: 0% of population (2015 est.)

Education expenditures

6.6% of GDP (2011) | country comparison to the world: 19

Ethnic groups

Greek 98.8%, other 1% (includes Maronite, Armenian, Turkish-Cypriot), unspecified 0.2% | note: data represent only the government-controlled area of Cyprus (2011 est.)

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate

0.06% (2013 est.) | country comparison to the world: 117

HIV/AIDS - deaths

fewer than 100 (2013 est.) | country comparison to the world: 124

HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS

400 (2013 est.) | country comparison to the world: 125

Health expenditures

7.4% of GDP (2014) | country comparison to the world: 72

Hospital bed density

3.5 beds/1,000 population (2011)

Infant mortality rate

total: 8.1 deaths/1,000 live births | male: 9.6 deaths/1,000 live births | female: 6.6 deaths/1,000 live births (2016 est.) | country comparison to the world: 153

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% | note: data represent only the government-controlled area of Cyprus (2011 est.)

Life expectancy at birth

total population: 78.7 years | male: 75.8 years | female: 81.6 years (2016 est.) | country comparison to the world: 53

Literacy

definition: age 15 and over can read and write | total population: 99.1% | male: 99.5% | female: 98.7% (2015 est.)

Major urban areas - population

NICOSIA (capital) 251,000 (2014)

Maternal mortality rate

7 deaths/100,000 live births (2015 est.) | country comparison to the world: 154

Median age

total: 36.4 years | male: 35.1 years | female: 38 years (2016 est.) | country comparison to the world: 69

Mother's mean age at first birth

28.5 | note: data represent only government-controlled areas (2010 est.)

Nationality

noun: Cypriot(s) | adjective: Cypriot

Net migration rate

9.1 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2016 est.) | country comparison to the world: 11

Obesity - adult prevalence rate

24.5% (2014) | country comparison to the world: 53

People - note

demographic data for Cyprus represent the population of the government-controlled area and the area administered by Turkish Cypriots, unless otherwise indicated

Physicians density

2.33 physicians/1,000 population (2012)

Population

1,205,575 (July 2016 est.) | country comparison to the world: 161

Population distribution

population concentrated in central Nicosia and in the major cities of the south: Paphos, Limassol, and Larnaca

Population growth rate

1.38% (2016 est.) | country comparison to the world: 84

Religions

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% | note: data represent only the government-controlled area of Cyprus (2011 est.)

Sanitation facility access

urban: 100% of population | rural: 100% of population | total: 100% of population | urban: 0% of population | rural: 0% of population | total: 0% of population (2015 est.)

School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education)

total: 14 years | male: 14 years | female: 15 years (2014)

Sex ratio

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 (2016 est.)

Total fertility rate

1.47 children born/woman (2016 est.) | country comparison to the world: 201

Unemployment, youth ages 15-24

total: 35.9% | male: 37.4% | female: 34.6% (2014 est.) | country comparison to the world: 32

Urbanization

urban population: 66.9% of total population (2015) | rate of urbanization: 0.89% annual rate of change (2010-15 est.)

Disputes - international

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 EU 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

Illicit drugs

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)

Refugees and internally displaced persons

IDPs: 272,000 (both Turkish and Greek Cypriots; many displaced since 1974) (2015)

Airports

15 (2013) | country comparison to the world: 145

Airports - with paved runways

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)

Airports - with unpaved runways

total: 2 | under 914 m: 2 (2013)

Civil aircraft registration country code prefix

5B (2016)

Heliports

9 (2013)

Merchant marine

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

National air transport system

number of registered air carriers: 2 | inventory of registered aircraft operated by air carriers: 6 | annual passenger traffic on registered air carriers: 23,404 | annual freight traffic on registered air carriers: 230,600 mt-km (2015)

Ports and terminals

major seaport(s): area under government control: Larnaca, Limassol, Vasilikos; area administered by Turkish Cypriots: Famagusta, Kyrenia

Roadways

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