The size of Cyprus' public sector remains remarkably stable. Fresh data reveals a minor 0.1% annual increase in the total state payroll, masked by a deeper structural shift away from short-term contracts toward indefinite employment.

In May 2026, the total number of state employees reached 55,382, representing a slight increase of just 77 workers compared to May 2025. This minor 0.1% bump reflects a broader trend of stabilization within the government workforce, with the average number of state employees for the first five months of 2026 up by a modest 0.2% compared to last year.

The overall stability hides distinct shifts across different branches of the government. While headcount within the core Civil Service contracted by 1.2% over the year, both the Educational Service and the Security Forces saw expansion, growing by 1.4% and 0.6% respectively.

The most dramatic fluctuations occurred within specific employment structures rather than overall numbers. Staffing on indefinite contracts surged by 2.1% led by a massive 24.7% spike within the Educational Service. Conversely, definite-duration contracts plunged by 3.1% overall, dragged down by an 89.8% collapse in temporary Security Force contracts, which was triggered by the planned completion and non-renewal of specific terms back in July 2025.

Source: CNA (ΚΥΠΕ)