Domestic violence does not remain behind closed doors. It costs lives and leaves a significant economic impact each year, amounting to hundreds of millions of euros. The largest share of the cost does not come from direct spending but from lost productivity.
People who experience violence may frequently miss work or even withdraw from the labour market entirely. In Cyprus, domestic violence leaves not only trauma, fear and disrupted lives but also a substantial financial burden that is ultimately borne by society as a whole.
According to estimates by Association for the Prevention and Handling of Violence in the Family (SPAVO), the total cost of domestic violence in Cyprus is approximately €700 million annually, equivalent to about 2 to 2.5 percent of the country’s GDP.
From healthcare and judicial services to lost working hours, reduced productivity and long-term mental health consequences, violence within the family generates costs that spread across the economy, affecting the state, the labour market, families and the victims themselves.
How the cost is calculated
The estimate is based on international methodologies widely used in Europe and globally by organisations such as the European Institute for Gender Equality and the World Health Organization.
These models calculate the cost of violence per case and then adjust the figures according to the population of each country. In practice, the total amount results from the combined assessment of several factors.
These include direct costs for healthcare and judicial services, indirect economic losses and the so-called intangible costs, which reflect the impact on victims’ quality of life and psychological well-being. In other words, the total figure does not represent a single expense but rather the accumulation of many smaller, everyday burdens.
Based on international studies, the total cost per case of domestic violence, including both direct expenses and indirect and long-term consequences, can range from approximately €20,000 to €60,000, depending on the severity and duration of the abuse.
From the home to the economy
The scale of the cost becomes clearer when examining a single case of domestic violence.
A victim may require medical care, be forced to take leave from work, engage in legal proceedings or seek psychological support. In many cases, the effects extend over time, influencing career paths and overall financial stability.
When such incidents occur repeatedly and affect thousands of people, the cost multiplies. The overall figure therefore reflects a daily reality that often remains invisible but has measurable consequences.
Loss of productivity
The largest share of the economic burden relates to lost productivity rather than direct expenses.
Individuals experiencing violence may frequently miss work, struggle to fulfil professional responsibilities or withdraw from employment altogether. Although this loss is not always visible, it has a substantial impact on the economy through fewer working hours, reduced efficiency and ultimately lost income for both individuals and the broader productive system.
Internationally, this category represents the largest portion of the total economic cost associated with domestic violence.
Health and long-term consequences
Another significant portion of the cost is linked to healthcare services.
Victims of domestic violence often require increased medical and psychological care, both immediately and over the long term. Consequences may include physical injuries, chronic health conditions and mental health issues such as anxiety, depression or post-traumatic stress.
These needs translate into increased pressure on healthcare systems as well as personal financial burdens for victims. Over time, these costs accumulate and contribute substantially to the overall economic impact of violence.
Impact on future generations
The economic consequences of domestic violence extend beyond the present.
Research shows that children who grow up in environments of violence often face difficulties in education, social development and later integration into the labour market. As a result, the financial impact of violence is also transmitted into the future, affecting the overall productivity of society.
The economic burden is therefore both immediate and intergenerational.
18,000 reports in six years
Behind the estimated €700 million are not only economic indicators but thousands of cases of violence recorded each year in Cyprus.
In recent years, reports of domestic violence have remained consistently high, exceeding 3,000 annually.
Data compiled from official sources show that between 2020 and 2025 there were approximately 18,000 reports of domestic violence incidents, with the trend continuing to rise:
- In 2020, reports exceeded 2,000
- In 2021, they reached 3,000
- In 2022, they were close to 3,100
- In 2023, around 3,000 cases were recorded
- In 2024, the number rose to 3,200
- In 2025, reports approached 3,700
Although more victims have come forward in recent years, economic impact models also take into account the fact that many incidents are never reported.
Estimates suggest that only one in three victims files a complaint with authorities, meaning the real scale of the problem and its economic impact are likely significantly higher.
Delays in seeking help often increase the cost further, as violence may escalate and consequences become more severe. This leads to greater demand for medical and psychological care, longer absence from work, increased need for protection and more complex social and economic recovery for victims.
Within this context, the economic cost is not merely a figure but a reflection of the scale of a problem that permeates society and directly and indirectly affects the country’s economy.