Cyprus

Republic of Cyprus

Europe Nicosia

Population

1.33M

Area

9,251 km²

GDP

$36.33B

GDP Per Capita

$53,300

Pop. Density

144/km²

Quick Facts

Currency

€euro(EUR)

Calling Code

+357

Timezone

UTC+02:00

Languages

Greek, Turkish

Driving Side

left

Demonym

Cypriot

Background

A former British colony, Cyprus became independent in 1960 after 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 and forced 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 to reunite Cyprus, the Annan Plan, failed to win approval from both communities in 2004. The most recent round of reunification negotiations was suspended in 2017 after failure to achieve a breakthrough.

The entire island joined the EU in 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 TRNC. However, individual Turkish Cypriots able to document their eligibility for Republic of Cyprus citizenship have the same legal rights accorded to citizens of other EU states.

Historical Trends

GDP (USD)

↑87.5% since 2006

$20B (2006)$38B (2024)

Population

↑28.8% since 2006

1.1M (2006)1.4M (2024)

Life Expectancy at Birth

Latest: 81.6 years

2006: 79.5 years2023: 81.6 years

Data source: World Bank Open Data

Geography17

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

Geographic coordinates

35 00 N, 33 00 E

Map references

Middle East

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

Area - comparative

about 0.6 times the size of Connecticut

Land boundaries

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

Coastline

648 km

Maritime claims

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

Climate

temperate; Mediterranean with hot, dry summers and cool winters

Terrain

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

Elevation

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

Natural resources

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

Land use

agricultural land

14% (2023 est.)

agricultural land: arable land

arable land: 10.6% (2023 est.)

agricultural land: permanent crops

permanent crops: 3.1% (2023 est.)

agricultural land: permanent pasture

permanent pasture: 0.2% (2023 est.)

forest

18.6% (2023 est.)

other

67.1% (2023 est.)

Irrigated land

269 sq km (2020)

Population distribution

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

Natural hazards

moderate earthquake activity; droughts

Geography - note

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

People & Society33

Population

total: 1,332,293 (2025 est.)
male: 681,128
female: 651,165

Nationality

noun: Cypriot(s)
adjective: Cypriot

Ethnic groups

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

Languages

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.)
major-language sample(s):
Το Παγκόσμιο Βιβλίο Δεδομένων, η απαραίτητη πηγή βασικών πληροφοριών. (Greek)

The World Factbook, the indispensable source for basic information.

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.)

Age structure

0-14 years: 15.6% (male 105,533/female 100,099)
15-64 years: 70% (male 486,569/female 437,651)
65 years and over: 14.4% (2024 est.) (male 83,094/female 107,579)

Dependency ratios

total dependency ratio: 43.6 (2025 est.)
youth dependency ratio: 22.3 (2025 est.)
elderly dependency ratio: 21.4 (2025 est.)
potential support ratio: 4.7 (2025 est.)

Median age

total: 39.9 years (2025 est.)
male: 38.2 years
female: 41 years

Population growth rate

0.89% (2025 est.)

Birth rate

9.95 births/1,000 population (2025 est.)

Death rate

7.11 deaths/1,000 population (2025 est.)

Net migration rate

6.04 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2025 est.)

Population distribution

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

Urbanization

urban population: 67% of total population (2023)
rate of urbanization: 0.76% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.)

Major urban areas - population

269,000 NICOSIA (capital) (2018)

Sex ratio

at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female
0-14 years: 1.05 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 1.11 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.77 male(s)/female
total population: 1.05 male(s)/female (2024 est.)

Mother's mean age at first birth

30 years (2020 est.)

Maternal mortality ratio

14 deaths/100,000 live births (2023 est.)

Infant mortality rate

total: 7.9 deaths/1,000 live births (2025 est.)
male: 9.7 deaths/1,000 live births
female: 6.4 deaths/1,000 live births

Life expectancy at birth

total population: 80.2 years (2024 est.)
male: 77.4 years
female: 83.1 years

Total fertility rate

1.49 children born/woman (2025 est.)

Gross reproduction rate

0.73 (2025 est.)

Drinking water source

improved: urban

urban: 99.7% of population (2022 est.)

improved: rural

rural: 99.8% of population (2022 est.)

improved: total

total: 99.8% of population (2022 est.)

unimproved: urban

urban: 0.3% of population (2022 est.)

unimproved: rural

rural: 0.2% of population (2022 est.)

unimproved: total

total: 0.2% of population (2022 est.)

Health expenditure

Health expenditure (as % of GDP): 9.4% of GDP (2021)
Health expenditure (as % of national budget): 18.3% of national budget (2022 est.)

Physician density

3.56 physicians/1,000 population (2022)

Hospital bed density

2.2 beds/1,000 population (2019 est.)

Sanitation facility access

improved: urban

urban: 99.7% of population (2022 est.)

improved: rural

rural: 98.8% of population (2022 est.)

improved: total

total: 99.4% of population (2022 est.)

unimproved: urban

urban: 0.3% of population (2022 est.)

unimproved: rural

rural: 1.2% of population (2022 est.)

unimproved: total

total: 0.6% of population (2022 est.)

Obesity - adult prevalence rate

21.8% (2016)

Alcohol consumption per capita

total: 9.59 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)
beer: 2.85 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)
wine: 2.72 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)
spirits: 4.02 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)
other alcohols: 0 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)

Tobacco use

total: 33.1% (2025 est.)
male: 44.1% (2025 est.)
female: 22.2% (2025 est.)

Education expenditure

Education expenditure (% GDP): 4.7% of GDP (2022 est.)
Education expenditure (% national budget): 12.5% national budget (2022 est.)

School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education)

total: 16 years (2022 est.)
male: 16 years (2022 est.)
female: 17 years (2022 est.)

People - note

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

Government24

Country name

conventional long form: Republic of Cyprus
conventional short form: Cyprus
local long form: Kypriaki Dimokratia (Greek)/ Kibris Cumhuriyeti (Turkish)
local short form: Kypros (Greek)/ Kibris (Turkish)
etymology: the Greek name for the island is Kupros, which is probably derived from the Sumerian kabar, meaning "copper" or "bronze;" copper mines were located on the island in antiquity

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)
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
etymology: may have been named after Nike, the Greek goddess of victory; the Greek name for the city, Lefkosia, and the Turkish name, Lefkosa, both mean "White City"

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)

Legal system

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

Constitution

history: ratified 16 August 1960
amendment process: constitution of the Republic of Cyprus -- proposed by the House of Representatives; passage requires at least two-thirds majority vote of the total membership of the "Greek Community" and the "Turkish Community"; however, all seats of Turkish Cypriot members have remained vacant since 1964

constitution of the “Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus” -- proposed by at least 10 members of the "Assembly of the Republic"; passage requires at least two-thirds majority vote of the total Assembly membership and approval by referendum

International law organization participation

accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction with reservations; accepts ICCt jurisdiction

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

Suffrage

18 years of age; universal

Executive branch

chief of state

President Nikos CHRISTODOULIDIS (since 28 February 2023)

head of government

President Nikos CHRISTODOULIDIS (since 28 February 2023)

cabinet

Council of Ministers appointed by the president

election/appointment process

president directly elected by absolute-majority popular vote in 2 rounds, if needed, for a 5-year term (limited to 2 consecutive terms)

most recent election date

5 February 2023, with a runoff on 12 February 2023 

election results

2023: Nikos CHRISTODOULIDIS elected president in second round; percent of vote in first round - Nikos CHRISTODOULIDIS (independent) 32%, Andreas MAVROGIANNIS (independent) 29.6%, Averof NEOFYTOU (DISY) 26.1%, Christos CHRISTOU (ELAM) 6%, other 6.3%; percent of vote in second round - Nikos CHRISTODOULIDS 52%, Andreas MAVROGIANNIS 48%

2018: Nikos ANASTASIADIS reelected president in second round; percent of vote in first round - Nikos ANASTASIADIS (DISY) 35.5%, Stavros MALAS (AKEL) 30.2%, Nicolas PAPADOPOULOS (DIKO) 25.7%, other 8.6%; percent of vote in second round - Nikos ANASTASIADIS 56%, Stavros MALAS 44%

expected date of next election

2028

Legislative branch

legislature name

House of Representatives (Vouli Antiprosopon)

legislative structure

unicameral

number of seats

80 (all directly elected)

electoral system

proportional representation

scope of elections

full renewal

term in office

5 years

most recent election date

5/30/2021

parties elected and seats per party

Democratic Rally (DISY) (17); Progressive Party of the Working People (AKEL) (15); Democratic Party (DIKO) (9); National Popular Front (ELAM) (4); Movement of Social Democrats (EDEK) (4); Democratic Alignment (DIPA) (4); Cyprus Green Party (KOP) (3)

percentage of women in chamber

14.3%

expected date of next election

May 2026

Judicial branch

highest court(s): Supreme Court of Cyprus (consists of 13 judges, including the court president)
judge selection and term of office: Republic of Cyprus Supreme Court judges appointed by the president of the republic on 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 by the president of the "TRNC," and by the "Legislative Assembly," and members elected by the bar association; judge tenure NA
subordinate courts: Republic of Cyprus district courts; Assize Courts; Administrative Court; specialized courts for issues relating to family, industrial disputes, the military, and rent control; "TRNC Assize Courts"; "TNRC district and family courts"

Political parties

area under government control:
Democratic Front or DIPA
Democratic Party or DIKO
Democratic Rally or DISY
Movement of Ecologists - Citizens' Alliance
Movement of Social Democrats EDEK
National Popular Front or ELAM
Progressive Party of the Working People or AKEL (Communist Party)
Solidarity Movement

area administered by Turkish Cypriots:
Communal Democracy Party or TDP
Communal Liberation Party - New Forces or TKP-YG
Cyprus Socialist Party or KSP
Democratic Party or DP
National Democratic Party or NDP
National Unity Party or UBP
New Cyprus Party or YKP
People's Party or HP
Rebirth Party or YDP
Republican Turkish Party or CTP
United Cyprus Party or BKP

Diplomatic representation in the US

chief of mission

Ambassador Evangelos SAVVA (since 15 September 2023)

chancery

2211 R Street NW, Washington, DC 20008

telephone

[1] (202) 462-5772

FAX

[1] (202) 483-6710

email address and website

[email protected]

https://www.cyprusembassy.net/

consulate(s) general

New York

honorary consulate(s)

Atlanta, Chicago, Houston, Kirkland (WA), Los Angeles, New Orleans, San Francisco

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

embassy

Metochiou and Ploutarchou Street, 2407, Engomi, Nicosia

mailing address

5450 Nicosia Place, Washington DC  20521-5450

telephone

[357] (22) 393939

FAX

[357] (22) 780944

email address and website

[email protected]

https://cy.usembassy.gov/

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, UNOOSA, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WFTU (NGOs), WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO

Independence

16 August 1960 (from the UK)

National holiday

Independence Day, 1 October (1960)

Flag

description: a copper-colored silhouette of the island is centered on a white field above two crossed green olive branches

meaning: the olive branches symbolize hope for peace and reconciliation between the Greek and Turkish communities

National symbol(s)

Cypriot mouflon (wild sheep), white dove

National color(s)

blue, white

National coat of arms

The coat of arms of Cyprus features a yellow shield representing the island’s copper deposits. A dove, one of the national symbols, holds an olive branch symbolizing peace, and olive branches encircle the shield. The year 1960 on the shield is the date of Cyprus’s independence from the United Kingdom.

National anthem(s)

title: "Ymnos eis tin Eleftherian" (Hymn to Freedom)
lyrics/music: Dionysios SOLOMOS/Nikolaos MANTZAROS
history: adopted 1966; Cyprus uses the Greek national anthem; the Turkish Cypriot community in Cyprus uses Turkey's national anthem

National heritage

total World Heritage Sites: 3 (all cultural)
selected World Heritage Site locales: Paphos; Painted Churches in the Troodos Region; Choirokoitia

Economy30

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)

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

Real GDP growth rate

Real GDP growth rate 2024: 3.4% (2024 est.)
Real GDP growth rate 2023: 2.8% (2023 est.)
Real GDP growth rate 2022: 7.2% (2022 est.)

Real GDP per capita

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

GDP (official exchange rate)

$36.333 billion (2024 est.)

Inflation rate (consumer prices)

Inflation rate (consumer prices) 2024: 1.8% (2024 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices) 2023: 3.5% (2023 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices) 2022: 8.4% (2022 est.)

GDP - composition, by sector of origin

agriculture: 1.2% (2024 est.)
industry: 10.3% (2024 est.)
services: 76.9% (2024 est.)

GDP - composition, by end use

household consumption

58.9% (2024 est.)

government consumption

18.6% (2024 est.)

investment in fixed capital

20.5% (2024 est.)

investment in inventories

-1.6% (2024 est.)

exports of goods and services

96.7% (2024 est.)

imports of goods and services

-93.1% (2024 est.)

Agricultural products

milk, potatoes, sheep milk, pork, goat milk, wheat, chicken, olives, grapes, barley (2023)

Industries

tourism, food and beverage processing, cement and gypsum, ship repair and refurbishment, textiles, light chemicals, metal products, wood, paper, stone and clay products

Industrial production growth rate

4.6% (2024 est.)

Labor force

772,300 (2024 est.)

Unemployment rate

Unemployment rate 2024: 5.7% (2024 est.)
Unemployment rate 2023: 6.1% (2023 est.)
Unemployment rate 2022: 6.9% (2022 est.)

Youth unemployment rate (ages 15-24)

total: 15.6% (2024 est.)
male: 17.4% (2024 est.)
female: 13.7% (2024 est.)

Population below poverty line

13.9% (2021 est.)

Gini Index coefficient - distribution of family income

Gini Index coefficient - distribution of family income 2022: 31.5 (2022 est.)

Household income or consumption by percentage share

lowest 10%: 3.6% (2022 est.)
highest 10%: 26.2% (2022 est.)

Remittances

Remittances 2023: 1.8% of GDP (2023 est.)
Remittances 2022: 1.7% of GDP (2022 est.)
Remittances 2021: 2.1% of GDP (2021 est.)

Budget

revenues: $14.39 billion (2023 est.)
expenditures: $13.733 billion (2023 est.)

Public debt

Public debt 2017: 97.5% of GDP (2017 est.)

Taxes and other revenues

24.1% (of GDP) (2023 est.)

Current account balance

Current account balance 2024: -$3.05 billion (2024 est.)
Current account balance 2023: -$3.831 billion (2023 est.)
Current account balance 2022: -$2.178 billion (2022 est.)

Exports

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

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

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold 2024: $2.088 billion (2024 est.)
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold 2023: $1.789 billion (2023 est.)
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold 2022: $1.671 billion (2022 est.)

Exchange rates

Currency

euros (EUR) per US dollar -

Exchange rates 2024

0.924 (2024 est.)

Exchange rates 2023

0.925 (2023 est.)

Exchange rates 2022

0.95 (2022 est.)

Exchange rates 2021

0.845 (2021 est.)

Exchange rates 2020

0.876 (2020 est.)

Energy6

Electricity access

electrification - total population: 100% (2022 est.)

Electricity

installed generating capacity: 2.288 million kW (2023 est.)
consumption: 5.197 billion kWh (2023 est.)
transmission/distribution losses: 146.11 million kWh (2023 est.)

Electricity generation sources

fossil fuels: 79.1% of total installed capacity (2023 est.)
solar: 16% of total installed capacity (2023 est.)
wind: 3.9% of total installed capacity (2023 est.)
biomass and waste: 1% of total installed capacity (2023 est.)

Coal

consumption: 46,000 metric tons (2023 est.)
exports: 71.6 metric tons (2022 est.)
imports: 22,000 metric tons (2023 est.)

Petroleum

refined petroleum consumption: 45,000 bbl/day (2023 est.)

Energy consumption per capita

Total energy consumption per capita 2023: 107.188 million Btu/person (2023 est.)

Communications6

Telephones - fixed lines

total subscriptions: 245,000 (2024 est.)
subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 25 (2024 est.)

Telephones - mobile cellular

total subscriptions: 1.51 million (2024 est.)
subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 156 (2024 est.)

Broadcast media

mix of state and privately run TV and radio; the public broadcaster operates 2 TV channels and 4 radio stations; 6 private TV broadcasters, satellite and cable TV services (including from Greece and Turkey), and a number of private radio stations; in areas administered by Turkish Cypriots, there are 2 public TV stations, 4 public radio stations, 7 privately owned TV stations and 21 privately owned radio stations, 6 radio and 4 TV channels at local universities, 1 military radio station, and 1 radio station for civil defense cooperation, as well as relay stations from Turkey (2019)

Internet country code

.cy

Internet users

percent of population: 91% (2023 est.)

Broadband - fixed subscriptions

total: 357,000 (2023 est.)
subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 39 (2023 est.)

Transportation5

Civil aircraft registration country code prefix

Airports

14 (2025)

Heliports

68 (2025)

Merchant marine

total: 1,005 (2023)
by type: bulk carrier 243, container ship 154, general cargo 211, oil tanker 47, other 350

Ports

total ports

6 (2024)

large

medium

small

very small

ports with oil terminals

key ports

Dhekelia, Famagusta, Kyrenia, Larnaca, Limassol, Xeros

Military & Security6

Military and security forces

Cypriot National Guard (Ethniki Froura, EF): Army, Navy, Air Force (2025)

Military expenditures

Military Expenditures 2024: 1.7% of GDP (2024 est.)
Military Expenditures 2023: 1.8% of GDP (2023 est.)
Military Expenditures 2022: 1.8% of GDP (2022 est.)
Military Expenditures 2021: 1.8% of GDP (2021 est.)
Military Expenditures 2020: 1.8% of GDP (2020 est.)

Military and security service personnel strengths

approximately 12-15,000 active Cypriot National Guard (2025)

Military equipment inventories and acquisitions

the National Guard's inventory includes a mix of armaments from a variety of suppliers, including Brazil, Israel, Russia, several European countries, and the US (2025)

Military service age and obligation

all Cypriot men must complete 14 months of compulsory service upon reaching the age of 18; women may volunteer for 6 months of service at age 18; men and women may also enlist as contract soldiers up to age 42 (2025)

Military - note

established in 1964, the National Guard (EF) is responsible for ensuring Cyprus’s territorial integrity and sovereignty; its primary focus is Turkey, which invaded Cyprus in 1974 and maintains a large military presence in the unrecognized Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus; the majority of the force is deployed along the “Green Line” that separates the Greek Cypriots from the Turkish Cypriots; the EF also participates in some internal missions, such as providing assistance during natural disasters; Greece is its primary security partner and maintains a military presence on Cyprus; the EF has conducted training exercises with other militaries including France, Israel, and the US; since Cyprus joined the EU in 2004, the EF has actively participated in the EU’s Common Security and Defense Policy and has sent small numbers of personnel to some EU and missions; Cyprus is also part of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe

the UN Peacekeeping Force in Cyprus (UNFICYP) has been deployed in Cyprus since 1964; its mandate includes supervising the de facto ceasefire that came into effect in August 1974 and maintaining a buffer zone between the lines of the Cypriot National Guard and of the Turkish and Turkish Cypriot forces; UNFICYP has about 1,100 personnel assigned (2025)

Transnational Issues1

Refugees and internally displaced persons

refugees: 73,303 (2024 est.)
IDPs: 244,944 (2024 est.)
stateless persons: 130 (2024 est.)

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