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Economic Indicators | Foreign Trade in Figures | Sources of General Economic Information | Political Outline

Economic Indicators

Cyprus has an open free-market economy, which is based on services. Cyprus became a full member of the EU on May 1, 2004, which has been an important milestone in its economic development. For several years, the growth rate of its GDP has been stagnant, with zero growth in 2011 and likely a negative growth of -1% in 2012. 

The Cypriots are among the most prosperous people in the Mediterranean region with a GDP per capita of around USD 21,000. However, the current situation in Europe and specifically the Greek crisis have profoundly affected the country in 2011 and should continue to hinder its development in 2012. Rating agencies have lowered the country's note and since mid-2011, the country no longer enjoys access to the financial markets to obtain refinancing options. The powerful banking sector was strongly exposed to the Greek risk. Generally, Cyprus remains largely dependent on the economic health of its neighbors. The unemployment rate, which for a long time remained under 5%, rose to 7 % in 2011 and could reach 8.6% in 2012.

To reduce its budget deficit (7% of GDP according to the IMF), the gouvernment lauched an austerity plan in 2011, including especially a VAT increase and a restructuring of social services.

 
Main Indicators 2009201020112012 (e)2013 (e)
GDP (billions USD) 23.6023.17e25.66e26.5027.40
GDP (Constant Prices, Annual % Change) -1.71.0e-0.01.02.0
GDP per Capita (USD) 29,618e28,85431,435e31,95532,530
General Government Balance (in % of GDP) -6.0-5.4e-5.9e-3.7-3.4
General Government Gross Debt (in % of GDP) 58.060.864.0e66.467.8
Inflation Rate (%) 0.22.64.0e2.42.3
Unemployment Rate (% of the Labor Force) 5.46.47.47.26.5
Current Account (billions USD) -1.78-1.79e-1.84e-2.03-2.13
Current Account (in % of GDP) -7.5-7.7e-7.2e-7.8-

Source: IMF - World Economic Outlook Database ; World Bank , Last Available Data

Note: (e) Estimated Data

Main Sectors of Industry

In the past two decades, Cypriot economy has shifted from agriculture to light manufacturing and services.

The agricultural and mining sectors contribute around 5% to the GDP and employ around 5% of the active population.  The traditional agricultural sector suffers from persistant droughts. ONly 15% of the land is arable. The main crops are wine grapes, potatoes, cotton and fruits. Mineral resources are limited and include mainly copper, pyrites, chrome, asbestos, and gypsum.

The manufacturing industry (mainly industrial food-processing, paper, chemical products, textiles, metal products, and petroleum refining) accounts for 10% of the GDP, but its competitiveness is declining mainly due to high-cost labor.

The tertiary sector contributes to about two-thirds of the GDP and in 2011 emplyed 70% of the active population. Tourism and maritime transportation are considered to be the two pillars of the Cypriot economy. Offshore activities are led by foreign-capital companies based in Cyprus, whose commercial activities are executed exclusively outside Cyprus, giving them substantial tax benefits. Cyprus has the sixth largest shipping fleet in the world.

Currently, the sectors of tourism, real estate and financial services are the main industries in Cyprus. Although they have allowed the country to acquire a rapid economic growth, they were affected by the crisis in 2011 and should continue to be affected in 2012.

 
Breakdown of Economic Activity By Sector Agriculture Industry Services
Employment By Sector (in % of Total Employment) 3.9 22.2 73.3
Value Added (in % of GDP) 2.1 19.6 78.3
Value Added (Annual % Change) -1.9 4.1 3.7

Source: World Bank - Last Available Data.

 

Find more information about your business sector on our service Market reports search.

 
Monetary Indicators 20032004200520062007
Euro (EUR) - Average Annual Exchange Rate For 1 USD 0.520.470.460.460.43

Source: World Bank - Last Available Data.

 

Find out all the exchange rates daily on our service Currency convertor.

 
Learn more about Market Analyses about Cyprus on Globaltrade.net, the Directory for International Trade Service Providers.
 

Indicator of Economic Freedom

Score:
73.3/100
Position:
Mostly free
World Rank:
18/179
Regional Rank:
9/42

Distribution of Economic freedom in the world
Source: 2011 Index of Economic freedom, Heritage Foundation

Note: The Economic freedom index measure ten components of economic freedom, grouped into four broad categories or pillars of economic freedom: Rule of Law (property rights, freedom from corruption); Limited Government (fiscal freedom, government spending); Regulatory Efficiency (business freedom, labor freedom, monetary freedom); and Open Markets (trade freedom, investment freedom, financial freedom). Each of the freedoms within these four broad categories is individually scored on a scale of 0 to 100. A country’s overall economic freedom score is a simple average of its scores on the 10 individual freedoms.

 

Country Risk

See the Country Risk Analysis Provided By Ducroire.

 

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Foreign Trade in Figures

The geographical location of Cyprus (the country being a bridge between West and East), along with its good airline and telecommunication infrastructures, have enabled the country to turn itself into an important regional and international business center.

The country's foreign trade is mainly oriented towards the EU, its main trading partner which represents more than 50% of its trade.  Thanks to its favorable location at the crossroads of Europe, Asia and Africa, Cyprus also has solid trade relations with Central Europe, Eastern Europe and the Middle East. 

Cyprus' three main export partners are France, the United Kingdom and Greece. The main export commodities are pharmaceutical products, electric & electronic equipment, as well as agricultural products, livestock products and their derivatives. The three main import partners are: Greece, Germany and the United Kingdom. Cyprus mainly imports hydrocarbons, vehicles, machinery, iron and steel.

Cyprus' trade balance is traditionally in deficit, because the country has to import extensively in order to satisfy domestic demand. Cyprus also depends on imports for its energy supplies. Exports are nevertheless vital for the country's economy.  As a fact, the Cyprus territory is not too extensive and the international trade market is very important.

 
Foreign Trade Indicators 20072008200920102011
Imports of Goods (million USD) 8,61510,6437,8358,3078,587
Exports of Goods (million USD) 1,3941,6331,2581,4161,797
Imports of Services (million USD) 3,6134,8514,0473,1803,544
Exports of Services (million USD) 8,26911,7179,6657,8318,043
Imports of Goods and Services (Annual % Change) 12.59.9---
Exports of Goods and Services (Annual % Change) 7.21.1---
Imports of Goods and Services (in % of GDP) 54.257.4---
Exports of Goods and Services (in % of GDP) 47.946.3---
Trade Balance (million USD) -6,474-8,929-6,022-6,376-
Trade Balance (Including Service) (million USD) -1,435-1,884-201965-
Foreign Trade (in % of GDP) 102.1103.7---

Source: WTO - World Trade Organization ; World Bank , Last Available Data

 

Main Partner Countries

Main Customers
(% of Exports)
2010
Greece 21.3%
Germany 9.2%
United Kingdom 7.5%
Lebanon 3.3%
Italy 2.3%
See More Countries 56.4%
Main Suppliers
(% of Imports)
2010
Greece 18.8%
Italy 9.4%
Germany 8.9%
United Kingdom 8.3%
Israel 7.9%
See More Countries 46.7%

Source: Comtrade, Last Available Data

 

Main Products

Main Exports
(% of Exports)
2010
Petroleum oils and oils obtained from bituminous...Petroleum oils and oils obtained from bituminous minerals (excl. crude); preparations containing >= 70% by weight of petroleum oils or of oils obtained from bituminous minerals, these oils being the basic constituents of the preparations, n.e.s.; waste oils containing mainly petroleum or bituminous minerals 14.2%
Medicaments consisting of mixed or unmixed...Medicaments consisting of mixed or unmixed products for therapeutic or prophylactic uses, put up in measured doses "incl. those in the form of transdermal administration" or in forms or packings for retail sale (excl. goods of heading 3002, 3005 or 3006) 12.3%
Diodes, transistors and similar semiconductor...Diodes, transistors and similar semiconductor devices; photosensitive semiconductor devices, incl. photovoltaic cells whether or not assembled in modules or made-up into panels (excl. photovotaic generators); light emitting diodes; mounted piezo-electric crystals; parts thereof 7.7%
Cigars, cheroots, cigarillos and cigarettes of...Cigars, cheroots, cigarillos and cigarettes of tobacco or of tobacco substitutes 5.7%
Cheese and curdCheese and curd 4.2%
See More Products 55.8%
Main Imports
(% of Imports)
2010
Petroleum oils and oils obtained from bituminous...Petroleum oils and oils obtained from bituminous minerals (excl. crude); preparations containing >= 70% by weight of petroleum oils or of oils obtained from bituminous minerals, these oils being the basic constituents of the preparations, n.e.s.; waste oils containing mainly petroleum or bituminous minerals 19.2%
Motor cars and other motor vehicles principally...Motor cars and other motor vehicles principally designed for the transport of persons, incl. station wagons and racing cars (excl. motor vehicles of heading 8702) 5.6%
Medicaments consisting of mixed or unmixed...Medicaments consisting of mixed or unmixed products for therapeutic or prophylactic uses, put up in measured doses "incl. those in the form of transdermal administration" or in forms or packings for retail sale (excl. goods of heading 3002, 3005 or 3006) 2.7%
Powered aircraft "e.g. helicopters and aeroplanes...Powered aircraft "e.g. helicopters and aeroplanes"; spacecraft, incl. satellites, and suborbital and spacecraft launch vehicles 2.4%
Bars and rods, of iron or non-alloy steel, not...Bars and rods, of iron or non-alloy steel, not further worked than forged, hot-rolled, hot-drawn or hot-extruded, but incl. those twisted after rolling (excl. in irregularly wound coils) 1.7%
See More Products 68.4%

Source: Comtrade, Last Available Data

 
 

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Sources of General Economic Information

Ministries
Ministry of Finance
Statistical Office
Statistical Service
Central Bank
Central Bank of Cyprus
Stock Exchange
Cyprus Stock Exchange
Search Engines
Arachne!
Eureka!
Your Cyprus
1stCyprus.com
InterCyprus
Economic Portals
Cypruseconomy

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Political Outline

Executive Power
The President is both the chief of the state and the head of the government. The President is elected by popular vote for a five-year term and holds the executive powers. The Council of Ministers is appointed jointly by the President and Vice president. Under the 1960 constitution, the post of Vice President is reserved for a Turkish-Cypriot and thus lies vacant as of now.
Legislative Power
Legislative power in the Republic of Cyprus (internationally recognized) is excercised by the House of Representatives with its 80 members elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms.
Main Political Parties
KISOS (Movement for Social Democracy United Democratic Union of Centre), AKEL (Progressive Party of the Working People or Communist Party), DIKO (Democratic Party), DISY (Democratic Rally), EURO.KO (European Party), ADIK (Fighting Democratic Movement), Green Party of Cyprus, EDE (United Democrats Movement)
Current Political Leaders
President: Demetris Christofias (since February 2008)
Next Election Dates
Presidential: February 2013 (last elections held in 2008)
 

Indicator of Freedom of the Press

World Rank:
16/179
Evolution:
29 places up compared to 2010

Source: Worldwide Press Freedom Index 2011, Reporters Without Borders

Note: The world rankings, published annually, measures the violations of press freedom worldwide. It reflects the degree of freedom enjoyed by journalists, the media and digital citizens of each country and the means used by states to respect and uphold this freedom. Finally, a note and a position is assigned to each country. To compile this index, Reporters Without Borders (RWB) prepared a questionnaire sent to partner organizations,150 RWB correspondents, journalists, researchers, jurists and activists of human rights, including the main criteria - 44 in total - to assess the situation of press freedom in a given country. It includes every kind of direct attacks against journalists and digital citizens (murders, imprisonment, assault, threats, etc.) or against the media (censorship, confiscation, searches and harassment etc.).

 

Indicator of Political Freedom

Ranking:
Free
Political Freedom:
1/7
Civil Liberties:
1/7

Map of freedom 2010
Source: Freedom House

Note: The Indicator of Political Freedom provides an annual evaluation of the state of freedom in a country as experienced by individuals. The survey measures freedom according to two broad categories: political rights and civil liberties. The ratings process is based on a checklist of 10 political rights questions (on Electoral Process, Political Pluralism and Participation, Functioning of Government) and 15 civil liberties questions (on Freedom of Expression, Belief, Associational and Organizational Rights, Rule of Law, Personal Autonomy and Individual Rights). Scores are awarded to each of these questions on a scale of 0 to 4, where a score of 0 represents the smallest degree and 4 the greatest degree of rights or liberties present. The total score awarded to the political rights and civil liberties checklist determines the political rights and civil liberties rating. Each rating of 1 through 7, with 1 representing the highest and 7 the lowest level of freedom, corresponds to a range of total scores.

 

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