Cyprus registered unemployment rises 5.8% year-on-year in July

Nicosia, Cyprus. Cyprus’ registered unemployed rose by 5.8 per cent year-on-year in July, reaching 11,728 people, according to data released by the Statistical Service of Cyprus (Cystat) on Wednesday. The increase was mainly driven by administrative and support services, accommodation and food services, public administration and education.

Annual and monthly changes

The number of unemployed people registered at district labour offices stood at 11,728 on the last day of July 2026, compared with 11,088 in July 2025, an annual increase of 640 people.

The actual number also rose from 10,056 in June to 11,728 in July. Cystat said the monthly increase largely reflected seasonal changes, particularly in education and public administration, as schools closed for the summer and temporary employment arrangements ended.

Seasonally adjusted figures

On a seasonally adjusted basis, registered unemployment fell to 10,504 people in July from a revised 10,564 in June.

The seasonally adjusted total remained above 10,000 during the first seven months of the year. It stood at 10,107 in January, 10,111 in February, 10,253 in March and 10,519 in April, before easing to 10,464 in May, rising to 10,564 in June and declining slightly in July.

Unemployment by sector

Public administration and defence recorded the highest number of registered unemployed, at 3,193 people. The figure was up from 3,079 in July 2025 and 2,306 in June.

Education followed with 1,731 registered unemployed, compared with 1,627 a year earlier and 1,004 in June.

Wholesale and retail trade remained the third-largest category, accounting for 1,355 registered unemployed. This was broadly unchanged from 1,348 in July 2025 and slightly below the 1,362 recorded in June.