Nicosia, Cyprus. Total government employment in Cyprus reached 55,331 persons in February 2026, a year-on-year increase of 35, according to the state statistical service (Cystat). The figure represents a 0.1 per cent rise over the twelve-month period ending in February.
Changes across government branches
Cystat reported that employment in the civil service declined by 0.9 per cent, while personnel numbers in the security forces fell by 0.5 per cent. In contrast, the educational service recorded an increase of 1.8 per cent in its total staff count.
Employment by contract type
The largest overall increase was among employees with contracts of indefinite duration, which rose by 1.6 per cent. The most significant decline was among those working under contracts of definite duration, with numbers down 0.9 per cent compared to February 2025.
Detailed service trends
The largest percentage increase was for employees with indefinite contracts within the educational service, up 25.2 per cent. The largest reduction across the government sector was for employees with definite duration contracts in the security forces, down 85.4 per cent.
Reason for security forces decline
Cystat attributed the decrease in definite duration contracts in the security forces mainly to the completion and non-renewal of specific definite duration contracts in July 2025.
Year-to-date average employment
The average total government employment for January to February 2026 increased by 0.3 per cent compared to the corresponding period in 2025.
How do you expect changes in contract types to affect staffing across Cyprus government services?
