Nicosia, Cyprus. Cyprus’ median age has risen to 41, placing residents below that age in the younger half of the population and those above it in the older half. The shift comes as populations age across Europe and Cyprus records one of the steepest increases.
Median age and the midpoint of the population
Cyprus’ median age of 41 means that, if the population were arranged in order by age, the person in the exact middle would be 41 years old. As a result, those turning 42 would move from the younger half of the population to the older half.
Cyprus ageing rate compared with Europe
Europe’s median age has risen in recent years to 44.9 years. While many European countries are ageing at an average pace of about 2.1 years per decade, Cyprus’ median age increased from 37 in 2015 to 41 today, matching Slovakia for the largest rise over the last decade.
Potential impacts of an older population
The faster ageing trend is associated with pressures including a shrinking workforce, increased demands on healthcare, economic slowdown, changing communities, and greater strain on pensions.
How should Cyprus prepare for the social and economic effects of a rising median age?