Nicosia, Cyprus. Around 17.1 per cent of people in Cyprus were at risk of poverty or social exclusion in 2025, according to Eurostat figures released on Thursday. The total number affected was approximately 167,000.
Cyprus figures and gender breakdown
The proportion remained unchanged compared with 2024, though the number of people increased by about 3,000, reflecting population changes rather than a shift in the overall rate.
Data showed differences between men and women, with approximately 75,000 men, or 15.5 per cent, classified as at risk, compared with 93,000 women, representing 18.7 per cent.
European Union overview
Across the EU, 92.7 million people, or 20.9 per cent of the population, faced the same risk in 2025. This marked a slight decrease from 21.0 per cent in 2024, equivalent to 93.3 million people.
Of those affected in 2025, 43 million were men and nearly 49.7 million were women.
Eurostat definition
Eurostat said individuals in this category live in households experiencing at least one of three conditions, describing them as “at risk of poverty, severe material and social deprivation, or very low work intensity”.
Highest and lowest rates in the EU
Bulgaria recorded the highest rate at 29.0 per cent, followed by Greece at 27.5 per cent and Romania at 27.4 per cent.
The Czech Republic reported 11.5 per cent, while Poland recorded 15.0 per cent and Slovenia 15.5 per cent.
How do these figures compare with the situation in your household or community?