Nicosia, Cyprus. Total government employment in Cyprus increased in January 2026 to 55,364 persons, according to data released by the statistical service, Cystat. The total rose by 257 persons, an increase of 0.5 per cent compared with January 2025.
Overall changes by service
Cystat reported mixed developments across services and employee categories year-on-year, with a decline in the civil service and increases in the educational service and security forces.
Civil service employment declines
Employment in the civil service fell by 0.8 per cent to 23,019 persons. Permanent employees declined by 0.8 per cent to 11,906, and staff with contracts of indefinite duration fell by 2.9 per cent to 4,052.
Employees with contracts of definite duration increased by 5.0 per cent to 1,421. Hourly paid workers decreased by 0.8 per cent to 5,640 persons.
Educational service employment rises
Employment in the educational service rose by 2.0 per cent to 18,561 persons. Permanent staff was broadly unchanged at 12,459, while employees with contracts of indefinite duration increased by 24.4 per cent to 1,186.
Employees with contracts of definite duration rose by 2.8 per cent to 4,771, and hourly paid workers increased by 2.8 per cent to 145 persons.
Security forces see modest increase
Employment in the security forces increased by 0.6 per cent to 13,784 persons. Permanent staff rose by 3.3 per cent to 8,544, and employees with contracts of indefinite duration increased by 0.6 per cent to 4,426.
Hourly paid workers rose by 4.9 per cent to 774 persons. Employees with contracts of definite duration fell by 86.3 per cent to 40 persons.
Which area of government employment do you think will change most over the next year?