Cypriot parliament member Prodromos Alampritis warned of the serious consequences of the country’s low birth rate and aging population.
According to him, if current demographic trends continue, mortality in Cyprus may in the future exceed the birth rate, which will create additional problems for the pension system, healthcare, and the National Guard.
“This is a painful story that is worsening and becoming more and more dangerous,” Alampritis emphasized.
Alampritis recalled that for natural population reproduction the total fertility rate should be approximately 2.1 children per woman. However, according to the data he cited, in Cyprus this indicator has remained below the necessary level since the mid-1990s. Since the early 2000s the fertility rate has fluctuated between 1.3 and 1.5 children per woman. In 2024 it was 1.4.
In the long term this may lead to a situation where the number of deaths exceeds the number of births, as is already happening in Greece.
Although Cyprus has not yet reached this point, Alampritis called the current situation particularly alarming and stressed the need to take substantial measures.
According to the data he presented, today people over 65 make up about 20% of the population of Cyprus, while the share of children under 15 is only 15%. A reduction in the number of young people and citizens of working age may lead to an increased burden on social systems and public services.
One of the most serious consequences of the demographic crisis, the deputy named possible problems with financing the Social Insurance Fund and the General Healthcare System of Cyprus (GeSY).
Thus, demographic changes may create an additional financial burden on state funds and call into question the sustainability of existing social protection mechanisms.
Alampritis also drew attention to the reduction in the number of young people annually entering service in the National Guard. In his opinion, this trend is directly related to the decrease in the size of young age groups and in the future may affect the staffing of the country’s armed forces.
Who gives birth to children in Cyprus
The deputy also presented birth statistics which, according to him, he requested from the Minister of Finance on the basis of data from the Statistical Service of Cyprus.
According to the figures he cited, out of approximately 10 thousand births:
- 6100 are accounted for by mothers with Cypriot citizenship;
- 1170 — by citizens of other European Union states;
- 2483 — by citizens of third countries.
Alampritis emphasized that these indicators must be taken into account when analyzing the demographic situation and developing state policy.
In his opinion, the assessment of the birth rate should take into account not only the total number of newborns, but also the structure of the population, as well as the demographic changes taking place in society.
Among the specific problems influencing families’ decisions to have children, Alampritis singled out the insufficient number of places in kindergartens and institutions for the care of young children. According to him, the availability of such institutions is of fundamental importance for young parents who need to combine raising children with professional activity.
The deputy stressed that the development of preschool care infrastructure should become part of a broader state demographic policy. In his opinion, solving the problem requires not separate short-term initiatives, but consistent long-term planning.
Source: sigmalive.com
https://cyprusbutterfly.com.cy/news/demograficheskij-krizis-na-kipre
