Nicosia, Cyprus. Nearly one in four transport workers in Cyprus was employed by a foreign multinational in 2023, according to figures released by Eurostat. The share was double the European Union average.
Cyprus above EU average
Eurostat reported that 23.8 per cent of transport employment in Cyprus in 2023 was accounted for by companies under foreign-controlled multinational enterprise groups. The figures were drawn from the EuroGroups register.
Across the EU, 1.3 million people were employed by transport and storage enterprises belonging to foreign-controlled multinational enterprise groups. This was a 30 per cent increase compared with 2018.
The 1.3 million workers represented a 12 per cent share of total employment in the sector, classified under NACE section H, covering transport and storage enterprises.
Control by EU, EFTA and non-EU countries
Two-thirds of the 1.3 million employees in transport worked for enterprises belonging to multinational groups controlled by other EU or EFTA countries. One-third were employed by groups controlled by countries outside the EU and EFTA.
Comparisons across member states
Cyprus’ 23.8 per cent share stood above the EU average of 12 per cent and higher than Greece, which recorded 6.7 per cent.
In absolute terms, Germany had the highest total employment in transport enterprises belonging to foreign-controlled multinational groups, with 191,000 people employed, followed by Poland with 167,000 and Spain with 126,000.
The highest shares of foreign-controlled employment in the transport sector were reported in Sweden at 37.5 per cent, Luxembourg at 33.4 per cent and Netherlands at 25.9 per cent. The lowest shares were reported in France at 5.9 per cent, Lithuania at 6.4 per cent and Greece at 6.7 per cent.
How do you think Cyprus’ high share of foreign-controlled transport employment affects the sector?
