Cyprus jobless numbers rise in March — tourism and technical sectors key drivers

The total number of registered unemployed persons in Cyprus reached 11,243 at the end of March, according to a report released on Monday by the state statistical service (Cystat).

This figure represents the individuals officially listed at the District Labour Offices across the country.

When examining the seasonally adjusted data that reflect the broader trend of the labour market, the number of registered jobseekers for March 2026 climbed to 10,090.

This seasonally adjusted figure shows an upward movement in comparison to the previous month, where the total stood at 9,936 persons.

In a year-on-year comparison with March 2025, the data showed an increase of 170 persons, which equates to a rise of 1.5 per cent.

The statistical service further mentioned that this annual growth is primarily linked to specific areas of the economy, including the accommodation and food service activities sector.

The professional, scientific and technical activities sector was also identified as a significant contributor to the higher unemployment figures.

Furthermore, the administrative and support service activities contributed to the overall rise in the number of people seeking work, the statistical service added.

It should be mentioned that accommodation and food service sector has started feeling the effects of the war in Iran, as geopolitical instability triggers a sudden drop in tourism activity.

In response, Labour Minister Marinos Mousiouttas last week presented a government support plan to cushion the industry from this economic fallout.

The scheme, approved by the Cabinet, targets businesses facing a turnover decline exceeding 40 per cent or occupancy rates below 60 per cent during April 2026.

To safeguard employment, the state will provide a subsidy of 30 per cent per employee’s salary, provided that firms prohibit redundancies until the end of May.