The percentage of the population living in conditions of severe material and social deprivation in Cyprus dropped to 2.4% (22,000 people) in 2023, down from 2.7% in 2022, according to the 2023 Income and Living Conditions Survey published on Thursday by the Statistical Service.

Since 2015, the severe deprivation rate in Cyprus has consistently remained below the EU-27 average and has been steadily decreasing. The EU-27 average in 2023 stood at 6.8%.

The survey shows that although children under the age of 18 have historically recorded the highest rates of severe deprivation, their percentage dropped by 1.6 percentage points in 2023 (from 4.4% in 2022 to 2.8% in 2023), bringing them closer to the percentages of other age groups.

Adults aged 18-64 recorded a deprivation rate of 2.4%, while individuals aged 65 and above had a rate of 1.9%.

The Statistical Service notes that since 2015, the greatest improvement has been observed among children, with a decrease of 7.6 percentage points (from 10.4% in 2015 to 2.8% in 2023), and among adults aged 18-64, with a decrease of 5.8 percentage points (from 8.2% to 2.4%).

However, it is also noted that despite individuals aged 65 and over historically having the lowest rates of severe material and social deprivation, there was an increase of 1 percentage point in 2023 (from 0.9% to 1.9%).

The survey further indicates that individuals living below the monetary poverty threshold (at risk of poverty) are in a more disadvantaged position compared to those above the threshold (not at risk of poverty).

According to the data, the population at risk of poverty experiences significant economic difficulties in addressing emergency but necessary expenses (76.8% vs. 31.3% not at risk), paying for a week’s vacation (75.0% vs. 29.7%), replacing worn-out furniture (56.8% vs. 25.2%), and ensuring adequate heating (43.6% vs. 12.6%).