Cyprus ranks among the lowest in the EU regarding the percentage of persons with disabilities who report experiencing discrimination during their interactions with public or administrative services, according to data released on Monday by Eurostat.

Specifically, in 2024, the rate in Cyprus stood at 3.1%, the lowest in the European Union alongside Italy. These were followed by Croatia (4.3%) and Hungary (4.5%). Conversely, the highest rates were recorded in Estonia (14.6%) and Spain (14.5%), while Belgium, the Netherlands, and Sweden also recorded elevated levels at 12.8%, 12.5%, and 12.3%, respectively.

At the European Union level, 9.4% of persons with disabilities aged 16 and over reported feeling discriminated against when contacting administrative or public services in 2024—a figure more than double that of persons without disabilities (4.0%).

A similar trend is observed in other sectors. When searching for housing, 8.2% of persons with disabilities reported experiencing discrimination, compared to 5.2% for those without disabilities. In public spaces, the respective rates were 5.0% and 3.0%, while in educational institutions, they stood at 4.1% and 2.3%.

According to Eurostat data, in all EU countries, persons with disabilities record higher rates of self-perceived discrimination compared to the rest of the population regarding access to administrative and public services.

It is noted that the publication of this data marks the start of EU Diversity Month, which this year highlights the importance of diversity and inclusion both in the workplace and in society at large.

Source: OffsiteNews