Cyprus emissions rose 67.1% since 1990 as drought affected 13% of land in 2024

Nicosia, Cyprus. Greenhouse gas emissions in Cyprus rose 67.1% between 1990 and 2024, while emissions across the EU fell 34.9%, according to Eurostat’s 2026 Regional Yearbook, published on Wednesday. The report also found that drought affected 13% of Cyprus’ land area in 2024.

Emissions remain near 2008 peak

Cyprus was among the European regions with the largest emissions increases between 1990 and 2024. Its emissions reached 77% above the 1990 level in 2008, then declined for five consecutive years. They generally rose thereafter and were 5.5% below the 2008 peak in 2024.

Eurostat said the country’s relatively high emissions may be linked to continued dependence on fossil fuels, energy consumption, transport, waste and household consumption, and economic growth that has outpaced reductions in carbon intensity.

Drought affected land across Europe

The 13% figure for Cyprus refers to land where vegetation productivity did not return to reference levels recorded during 2000–2020.

Malta had the EU’s highest affected share, at 57.5%, followed by Bulgaria at 20.1%, Romania at 17.5%, Cyprus at 13%, Greece at 11.4% and Italy at 10.7%. Across Europe, 290 of the 1,160 regions with available data experienced prolonged drought impacts in 2024.

Education and social media use

Cyprus recorded the largest gender gap in 2024 in the share of tertiary education students enrolled in master’s programmes. The share was 57.7% among female students and 35.6% among male students, compared with EU shares of 31.3% and 27.1%, respectively.

Cyprus was also one of four European regions where 51% of tertiary education students, excluding those in short courses, were pursuing a postgraduate degree.

In 2025, Cyprus was among 24 EU regions where at least 80% of people aged 16 to 74 used social media. The EU figure was 67.3%.