Births in Cyprus fell to 9,230 in 2025, the lowest figure since 2017, according to Statistical Service data. Successive governments have tried to address the demographic problem over the past two decades, mainly through financial incentives. According to the report, those measures do not appear to be delivering satisfactory results, as births keep falling while deaths remain consistently above 6,000 a year.
Births at an eight-year low
According to Statistical Service figures:
- Annual births fell from more than 10,000 to 9,766 in 2024, based on data for the five years from 2020 to 2024
- Births fell further to 9,230 in 2025
- This is the lowest figure since 2017, when 9,229 births were recorded
Births compared with deaths
- Natural population growth, meaning births minus deaths, was just 2,426 in 2025
- This means that 1.4 children are born for every death recorded, a figure the report describes as extremely low
- Deaths are expected to remain between 6,000 and 7,000 a year
The target of 2.1
Officials have repeatedly said that this figure needs to rise to 2.1 for Cyprus to maintain its population. The difference may appear small, but the report describes the goal as extremely difficult to reach.
- With deaths expected to remain at 6,000 to 7,000 a year, births would need to exceed 14,000 to reach the target
- Cyprus has never reached such numbers since 1974, when statistical data began to be collected
- The best year for births in the last 52 years was 1992, with 11,372 children born
- The second best was 1984, with 11,005 births
- In every other year, births ranged between 8,000 and 10,999
Shrinking households
The average household size has also been declining since 1993, when records began.
- In 1993, the average household had 3.2 members
- By 2025, this had fallen to 2.5
- This is the lowest figure in the history of the Republic of Cyprus
The Archbishopric’s incentive scheme
Towards the end of last year, the Archbishopric announced a series of measures to address the demographic problem. According to competent sources, the measures are believed to be working. A clearer picture is expected at the end of November, when the incentive scheme completes its first year.
The scheme offers financial support to families with three or more children. From the birth of the third child, families receive:
- €1,500 at the child’s baptism
- €1,000 on enrolment in primary school
- €1,000 on enrolment in gymnasium (lower secondary school)
- €1,000 on enrolment in lyceum (upper secondary school)
- €100 vouchers at Easter and €100 at Christmas every year until the child turns 18
According to information, more than 1,000 people have used the scheme so far. The Christmas and Easter payments are made immediately. There is a slight delay with baptism payments, depending on when each family submits its application. The amounts for primary, gymnasium and lyceum enrolment will be paid out over time.
The government’s second package of measures
The government has announced two packages of measures on the demographic problem. Among other things, the second package provides for:
- An increase in the childbirth grant from €628 to €1,000 for the first child, €1,500 for the second and €2,000 for the third
- Wider eligibility for parental leave allowance, with the child’s age limit raised from 8 to 15 years
- Longer parental leave allowance for the second child, from 8 to 10 weeks, and for the third child, from 8 to 12 weeks
- Monthly support of €200 for mothers who have their first child before the age of 30, for 24 months after giving birth
- A pilot extension of afternoon opening hours at nurseries and childcare centres until 19:30, to better meet the needs of working parents
- Subsidies for businesses and business partnerships with more than 100 employees to set up nurseries, childcare centres and child protection and activity centres for employees’ children
- More large families receiving child benefit, by removing income and property criteria for families with five or more dependent children
Third package still pending
When the second package was announced in 2024, President Nikos Christodoulides explained that the next one would be tied to major reforms of the tax and pension systems. It would also be linked to completing the extension of the all-day school system to all primary schools.
In separate statements in May 2025, the President announced that the third package would be presented in early 2026. As the year draws to a close, however, no announcement has been made.
Reporter asked several government services when the third and final package is expected to be announced, in line with the President’s statements. It received no response. None of the services could say which ministry is responsible for the matter.
Deputy Minister of Social Welfare on support for families
Last Tuesday, Deputy Minister of Social Welfare Tina Pavlou addressed an event on “The demographic problem in the Republic of Cyprus”.
“The decision to start a family is personal and we must respect it. Those who wish to have children need meaningful incentives and conditions that allow them to make this choice,” she said.
She explained that this means financial support that meets families’ needs, access to quality childcare and particular care for those in more difficult circumstances.
According to the Deputy Minister, the government has already made changes to child benefit, increasing it and strengthening support for large families. Under the new bill, an estimated 17,000 additional families with 23,500 children will become potential beneficiaries. Implementation is planned for 2027, once the parliamentary process is complete.
