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flag Cyprus Cyprus: Economic and Political Outline

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. The Cypriots are among the most prosperous people in the Mediterranean region with a GDP per capita of around USD 21,000. The unemployment rate remains under 5% and the inflation rate is under control, at around 2%.

The global economic crisis has affected Cyprus, particularly in the tourism sector, with a drop in European tourist in-flow and in the real estate sector, which also depends on foreign sales. A global economic slowdown took place in 2009 and the country entered into recession during the third quarter of the year.  In order to help the banking sector and the Cypriot SMEs, the European Investment Bank (EIB) granted a loan for a total amount of EUR 228 million to the three most important banks of the island. In 2010, the economy of Cyprus became stable and came out from the recession.

Some measures, such as a hiring freeze and salary freeze for public employees, re-organization of social benefits and the hunt for tax evaders will allow the country to recover in 2011and to revive with a modest growth.  Despite this, Cyprus remains highly dependent of the economic condition of its neighbors.

 
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, Cyprus' 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 main crops are wine grapes, potatoes, cotton and fruits. Mineral resources are limited, they are  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 employs 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 and they have allowed the country to acquire a rapid economic growth.

 
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.

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

Source: World Bank - Last Available Data.

 
 
Learn more about Market Analysis about Cyprus on Globaltrade.net, the Directory for International Trade Services.
 

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

 

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.

More than 50% of its trade is done with the EU. Cyprus' three main export partners are France, the United Kingdom and Greece. The main export commodities are electric & electronic equipment, fuels & oil, vehicles and pharmaceutical products. The three main import partners are: Greece, Italy 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.  Cyprus' main exports are manufacturing products and within the context of foreign trade with France, pharmaceutical products are in first position regarding exports.

Exports are 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 20062007200820092010
Imports of Goods (million USD) 6,9288,61510,6437,8358,307
Exports of Goods (million USD) 1,3331,3941,6331,2581,416
Imports of Services (million USD) 2,8433,6134,8514,0474,271
Exports of Services (million USD) 6,7488,26911,7179,6659,201
Imports of Goods and Services (Annual % Change) 6.612.59.9--
Exports of Goods and Services (Annual % Change) 3.97.21.1--
Imports of Goods and Services (in % of GDP) 51.854.257.4--
Exports of Goods and Services (in % of GDP) 48.047.946.3--
Trade Balance (million USD) -4,942-6,474-8,929-6,022-6,376
Trade Balance (Including Service) (million USD) -721-1,435-1,884-201965
Foreign Trade (in % of GDP) 99.8102.1103.7--

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

 
See More Products
More imports (Intracen Data)
More exports (Intracen 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)
Parliamentary: May 2011
 

Indicator of Freedom of the Press

World Rank:
45/178
Evolution:
20 places down compared to 2009

Source: Worldwide Press Freedom Index 2010, Reporters Without Borders

 

Indicator of Political Freedom

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

Map of freedom 2010
Source: Freedom House

 

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Last Updates: January 2012