Nicosia, Cyprus. Foreign-born residents in Cyprus are three times more likely than Cyprus-born residents to report discrimination when accessing public services, according to Eurostat data published on Friday. Eurostat said this pattern reflects a broader EU trend in 2024, with people born abroad reporting higher perceived discrimination across all social contexts examined.
EU context and definition
Eurostat said that in 2024, people born abroad felt discriminated against to a greater extent than people born in their country of residence in all social contexts examined. It defined discrimination as unfair or prejudicial treatment based on protected characteristics in EU law: sex, age, disability, religion or belief, ethnic or racial origin, and sexual orientation.
Public services
In Cyprus, 6.6 per cent of foreign-born residents reported discrimination when engaging with public services, compared with 1.9 per cent of Cyprus-born residents. The EU average for foreign-born residents reporting discrimination in public services was 9.7 per cent.
Housing
Housing was the second main area in Cyprus, with 6 per cent of foreign-born residents reporting discrimination, compared with 1.5 per cent of locals. At EU level, housing had the highest reported discrimination, with 12.5 per cent of foreign-born residents affected.
Public spaces
In public spaces such as cafes and shops, 2.4 per cent of foreign-born residents in Cyprus reported discrimination, compared with 0.6 per cent of locals and 7.8 per cent across the EU.
Education
Education had the lowest reported level of discrimination in Cyprus, at 1.5 per cent among foreign-born residents. Across the EU, the figures were 4.3 per cent for foreign-born residents and 2.3 per cent for native-born residents.
What steps do you think could help reduce perceived discrimination in public services in Cyprus?