Despite frequent public expressions of dissatisfaction, statistical evidence suggests that many Cypriots feel positively about their quality of life. According to the most recent Eurostat survey on life satisfaction, citizens in Cyprus report on average a life satisfaction score above the European Union mean.
Life Satisfaction Across Europe
Eurostat’s annual data indicate that, in 2023, adults in the European Union rated their overall satisfaction with life at an average of 7.3 out of 10. This figure reflects a generally positive outlook among respondents across member states.
Countries with the highest reported life satisfaction included Finland (7.8), followed by Belgium, Austria, Romania and Slovenia (each with 7.7). At the lower end of the scale, Bulgaria reported the lowest score within the EU at around 5.9.
Life Satisfaction in Cyprus
In this context, Cyprus stands above the EU average with an approximate life satisfaction score reported at around 7.3–7.5, indicating that most Cypriots view their lives favourably compared with peers across Europe.
This performance places Cyprus well ahead of several other EU countries and underscores that, despite prevailing narratives of dissatisfaction, a majority of residents feel reasonably content with their overall life experience.
Comparisons With Greece And Turkey
In contrast, citizens of Greece report a lower average life satisfaction score of 6.9. This places Greece among the least satisfied populations in the EU, with only a few member states recording lower values.
Across Europe more broadly — beyond the EU alone — Turkey records one of the lowest life satisfaction scores at about 5.6. This suggests that, in comparative terms, people in Turkey express lower overall life satisfaction than most Europeans.
Age Differences In Satisfaction Levels
Patterns of life satisfaction vary significantly with age. Across the EU, data show younger adults tend to report higher satisfaction than older age groups, although this pattern is not uniform among all countries.
In Cyprus, the youngest group (aged 16–29) reports the highest average satisfaction score — around 7.8, while life satisfaction tends to decline progressively with age. Those aged 25–64 register averages near 6.9, and adults aged 65 and over report lower satisfaction levels, close to 6.6.
Education And Life Satisfaction
Educational attainment correlates with differences in reported life satisfaction across Europe. Individuals with higher education levels generally report higher satisfaction.
In EU data, life satisfaction among those with less than secondary education ranges widely between countries, as do figures for secondary and tertiary-educated adults. In Cyprus, people with secondary education report satisfaction scores around 7.3, while those with tertiary education rate their life satisfaction closer to 7.8.
Income, Household Composition And Well-Being
Eurostat figures also show that household characteristics and income level impact life satisfaction. Across the EU, households with dependent children typically report higher life satisfaction than other household types. In 2023, this group averaged around 7.4, compared with 7.3 for two adults living together, 7.2 for multiple adults without dependents, and 6.8 for single-person households.
Urban Versus Rural Contexts
At an EU aggregate level, there is no consistent difference in life satisfaction between urban and rural residents. However, variations emerge at the national level. In some EU countries, life satisfaction is higher in urban centres, while in others rural inhabitants report greater contentment.