Cyprus reports 13,905 job vacancies in first quarter of 2026

Nicosia, Cyprus. Employers in Cyprus reported 13,905 job vacancies in the first quarter of 2026, according to the statistical service Cystat, although the figure does not establish whether all online advertisements remain part of active recruitment processes.

Unemployment declined from 5 per cent to 4 per cent during the quarter, leaving 21,246 people without work, while unemployment among people aged 15 to 24 increased from 11.2 per cent to 13.1 per cent.

Vacancies by sector

Wholesale and retail trade recorded the largest number of vacancies, at 2,649, followed by accommodation and food services with 2,189 positions and construction with 1,997.

Professional, scientific and technical activities accounted for 1,086 vacancies. Telecommunications, computer programming and related information services recorded 530 vacancies.

Cystat definition

Cystat counts a position as vacant when it is newly created, unoccupied or expected to become vacant, and when an employer is actively seeking a candidate and intends to fill the role immediately or within a specified period.

Listings that remain online after a post has been filled, recruitment has been frozen or an employer has no immediate intention to appoint a candidate fall outside that definition. Cyprus does not publish separate data on how many online job advertisements result in a hire.

Online recruitment concerns

Younger jobseekers are more likely to rely on online job platforms and social media, making outdated or repeatedly advertised vacancies particularly significant for this group.

International recruitment data cited from hiring platform Greenhouse classified between 18 and 22 per cent of jobs posted through its system during a typical quarter as ghost jobs. Three in five candidates said they believed they had encountered at least one.

Companies may keep advertisements active to collect CVs for future use, assess the availability of workers with specific skills or maintain a visible recruitment presence. In some cases, advertisements are automatically renewed after a vacancy has closed.

Use of AI in applications

According to Greenhouse data, artificial intelligence has accelerated the application process, with 38 per cent of candidates mass-applying for positions. Recruiter workloads increased by 26 per cent.