Demographics of Cyprus

Cypriots share many customs but maintain distinct identities based on religion, language, and close ties with their respective motherlands. After the Turkish invasion of Cyprus de facto partitioned the Republic of Cyprus in two; Greek is predominantly spoken in the south, where the majority are Greek Cypriots, Turkish in the north, where the majority are Turkish Cypriots and Turkish, and English is widely used. Before the invasion the peoples of Cyprus (then Greek 78%, Turkish 18%, Armenian and Maronites 4%) were living dispersed on the island of Cyprus. Cyprus has a well-developed system of primary and secondary education. The majority of Cypriots earn their higher education at Greek, Turkish, British, or American universities, while there are also sizeable emigrant communities in the United Kingdom and Australia. Private colleges and state-supported universities have been developed by both the Turkish and Greek communities.

The Greek Cypriot community adheres to the Autocephalous Greek Orthodox Church of Cyprus and the Turkish Cypriot community adheres to Islam. The religious groups of Armenians, Maronites and Latins, in accordance with 1960 constitution, opted to belong to the Greek Cypriot community.

Recent large-scale demographic changes have been caused by the influx of settlers from Turkey and Bulgaria in the occupied areas. The south has seen an influx of British and Arab (mostly Palestinian and Lebanese) immigration, as well as migrant workers from Poland, Russia, Sri Lanka, Nigeria, China and the Philippines. As the 2001 census was restricted to the Republic's unoccupied territories, and did not include persons without Cypriot ID's or passports, there is no available official data from which to make estimates of numbers for each of these groups.

After the Turkish invasion of northern Cyprus in 1974 and especially the last 10-15 years, there has been an unprecedented effort by Turkey to change the demographic character of the occupied northern Cyprus. The results of a Turkish Cypriot census at the end of April 2006 state that out of a total population of 264,172, only 100,000 were Turkish Cypriots. Turkish settlers from Anatolia moved to the island, whose number reached around 146,122 (2007 figures). Almost 1/3 of the Turkish settlers in northern Cyprus have been given the "Turkish Cypriot" citizenship by the Turkish Cypriot authorities; in other words they were naturalized. Settlement in Northern Cyprus , especially if this is accompanied by naturalization, is a violation to the Geneva Conventions Protocol of 1977 since the Turkish occupation has been declared illegal by the UN. As a result of illegal settlement and naturalization of mainland Turks, the Turkish Cypriots who remain in Northern Cyprus are today outnumbered by the Turkish settlers and security forces.

Demographic data

Population

867,600 (end 2006 est., includes Turkish Cypriots)

778,700 (end 2006 est., Government controlled area)

Age structure

0-14 years: 18.0% (male 71,600/female 68,200)

15-64 years: 69.8% (male 268,600/female 274,800)

65 years and over: 12.3% (male 43,200/female 52,300) (2006 est.)

Population growth rate

1.6% (2006 est.)

Birth rate

Total Births: 8.731

11.3 births/1,000 population (2006 est.)

Death rate

Total Deaths: 5,127

Total Male deaths: 2,623

Total Female Deaths: 2,504

Male/Female Death Ratio: 1.05 male(s)/female

Total Death Rate: 6.7 deaths/1,000 population (2006 est.)

Net migration rate

Total Migrants: 15,545

Total Emigrants: 6,874

Net Migratio: +8,671

1.99 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2006 est.)

Sex ratio

At birth: 1.05 male(s)/female

Under 15 years: 1.05 male(s)/female

15-64 years: 0.98 male(s)/female

65 years and over: 0.83 male(s)/female

Total population: 0.97 male(s)/female (2006 est.)

Infant mortality rate

Total Male IMR at birth: 3.6 deaths/1,000 live births

Total Female IMR: 2.7 deaths/1,000 live births

Total IMR at birth: 3.1 deaths/1,000 live births (2006 est.)

Life expectancy at birth

Total population: 79.35 years

Male: 77.00 years

Female: 81.7 years (2006 est.)

Total fertility rate

1.44 children born/woman (2006 est.)

Marriage Rates

Total Marriages: 12,617

Political Weddings: 8.818

Political Weddings Involving Cypriots: 1,453

Male Cypriot & Foreign Female: 45.1%

Female Cypriot & Foreign Male: 12.5%

Male & Female Cypriot: 17.4%

Between Immigrants: 25%

Religious Weddings: 3,799

Male & Female Cypriot: 100%

Total Marriages of Cypriot Citizens: 5,252

First wedding for both parties: 75%

First wedding for either party: 15.7%

Previously Married Parties: 9.3%

Median Age of Male, Political Wedding: 30,6 years

Median Age of Male, Religious Wedding: 29.2 years

Median Age of Female, Political Wedding: 28.3 years

Median Age of Female, Religious Wedding: 26.8 years

Marriage Rate: 6.8/1,000 population (2006 est.)

Divorce Rates

Total Divorces: 1,753

Divorce Rate: 2,3/1,000 population

Ratio: 273 divorces/1,000 marriages (2006 est.)

Nationality

Noun: Cypriot(s)

Adjective: Cypriot

HIV/AIDS

Total Cases Reported 1986-2006: 518

Total Deaths 1986-2006: 85

People living with HIV/AIDS: 433 (2006 est.)

New HIV cases: 36 (2006 est.)

Deaths: N/A (2006 est.)

Adult prevalence rate: 0.07% (2006 est.)

Cypriot Citizens: 58%

Foreign Citizens: 42%

Main Modes of Transmission 1986-2006 (Known Mode of 98% of Total):

Sexual Contact: 96%

Heterosexually: 63%

MSM: 33%

Injection of Drugs: 1%

Blood Transfusions: 2% (No new cases since 1991)

Mother-to-Child: < 1%

Age Groups of Patients:

Age 20–39: 77%

Age < 25: 21% (2006 est.)

Ethnic groups

Greek Cypriot: 660,600 76.1%

Turkish Cypriot: 88,900 10.2%

Other:118,100 13.7%

Largest Groups:

Greece: 36.790

United Kingdom: 25.823

Russia: 9.854

Philippines: 3.384

Poland: 3.682

Bulgaria: 2.931

USA: 2.600

Roumania: 2.503

Sri Lanka: 2.390

Slovakia: 2.380

Germany: 2.211

Syria: 1.974

Ukraine: 1.848

Serbia&Montenegro: 1.263

India: 1.246

Unknown: 3.517

Other: 13,704

Religions

Greek Orthodox 81%, Muslim 11%, Maronite, Armenian Apostolic 0.4%, and other 7.6% including Roman Catholic, Buddhist, Other Eastern Orthodox

Languages

Greek, Turkish (official), English, Russian, Filippino, French (Minority & Taught Languages)

Literacy

Definition: Age 15 and over can read and write

Total population: 97.6%

Male: 98.9%

Female: 96.3% (2003 est.)

References

Statistical Service of Cyprus: Population and Social Statistics

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