The Statistical Service of Cyprus reported a dramatic 83.9% annual decrease in building permits issued in July 2024, attributing the decline to the implementation of local authority reform. Despite this drop, the first seven months of 2024 showed a 15.8% annual increase in building permits compared to the same period in 2023.

In July 2024, 97 building permits were issued, compared to 604 in July 2023. These permits represent a total value of €42.9 million and cover an area of 28,300 square meters, allowing for the construction of 156 residential units.

Between January and July 2024:

• 4,879 building permits were issued, up from 4,212 in the same period of 2023 (+15.8%).

• The total value of permits increased by 24.4%, and total area by 26.4%.

• Residential unit numbers grew by 24.7%.

The notable reduction in July permits is largely attributed to the transfer of building permit authority on July 1, 2024, from municipalities and district administrations to newly established Provincial Self-Government Organizations.

Additionally, the introduction of the “Ippodamos” integrated information system has faced significant operational issues. These challenges have caused delays in processing permits and hindered the publication of statistical data for July 2024.

The Statistical Service noted that delays in publishing building permit data resulted from critical deficiencies and inefficiencies in data entry by the Self-Government Organizations into the "Ippodamos" system. These issues persist, causing substantial disruptions and delays in the generation of statistical reports.

The Statistical Service has repeatedly raised the issue with the Ministry of Interior, the Organizations, and the Deputy Ministry of Research, Innovation, and Digital Policy. Efforts are underway to resolve the problems promptly and restore the smooth production of statistical data, the announcement says.