The number of registered unemployed people in Cyprus has increased. According to the Statistical Service, 8,366 people were registered with district labor offices as of September 30, 2026. This was 742 people, or 9.7%, more than at the end of September 2025, when 7,624 people were registered.
Which sectors saw an increase in unemployment?
The Statistical Service of Cyprus did not identify specific reasons for the increase in the number of registered unemployed people. However, the most noticeable growth was recorded in three sectors:
- public administration and defense;
- information and communication;
- administrative and support service activities.
Interestingly, the Cypriot economy continues to grow. In the second quarter of 2026, the country’s gross domestic product (GDP) increased by 3.3% compared with the same period in 2025. This means that the rise in registered unemployment is taking place against a backdrop of positive GDP growth. However, these indicators reflect different processes and, on their own, do not explain the reasons behind changes in the labor market.
Why has seasonally adjusted unemployment been rising since May?
Compared with the end of August 2026, the number of registered unemployed people fell significantly, from 12,385 to 8,366. However, this decline is largely related to seasonal changes in the labor market. For example, the end of the tourist season, the start of the school year, and other recurring factors can affect the number of people registered with employment services.
To assess the underlying trend without the impact of seasonal fluctuations, statisticians use seasonally adjusted data. In September 2026, this figure increased to 10,809 people from 10,715 in August. The upward trend has continued since May 2026, when the seasonally adjusted number of unemployed people stood at 10,518.
Therefore, the decline in the number of registered unemployed people in September compared with August does not necessarily mean that the labor market situation improved overall. Seasonally adjusted data, by contrast, indicate a gradual increase over several months.
How many unemployed people are there in Cyprus in reality?
The number of people registered with district labor offices does not include everyone in the country who is out of work. This statistic may not include long-term unemployed people who do not renew their registration, self-employed people temporarily without work, or people working part-time who would like to work more hours.
The total number of unemployed people in Cyprus exceeds 25,000. However, this figure must be considered in light of the methodology used and the definition of unemployment. For comparison, according to the Labor Force Survey, the official unemployment rate in Cyprus in the second quarter of 2026 was 3.6%, while the number of unemployed people was estimated at approximately 19,400. These figures cannot be directly compared with the number of registered unemployed people because they are calculated using different methodologies and may refer to different groups of the population.
To obtain a fuller picture of the Cypriot labor market, it is important to consider registered unemployment, seasonally adjusted data, and the results of the Labor Force Survey together. Taken as a whole, these indicators provide a more accurate view of employment trends and help assess how persistent changes in the labor market may be.