Cyprus job vacancies remain among highest in EU despite hiring dip

Cyprus maintained a stable job vacancy rate in the fourth quarter of 2025, reflecting resilient labour demand despite a quarterly slowdown in hiring, according to figures from Eurostat and the state statistical service (Cystat).

Specifically, figures showed that Cyprus recorded a job vacancy rate of 2.8 per cent in the fourth quarter of 2025, unchanged compared with the same period a year earlier but lower than the 3 per cent recorded in the third quarter.

At the same time, the total number of job vacancies rose to 13,538, marking an increase of 541 positions from 12,997 in the fourth quarter of 2024.

However, on a quarter-on-quarter basis, vacancies declined by 1,035 from 14,573, pointing to a moderation in hiring momentum.

Overall, the figures indicate firmer labour demand compared with a year earlier, even as recruitment activity eased in the final quarter of 2025.

Across the European Union, Cyprus ranked among the countries with relatively high vacancy rates, with Eurostat reporting a rate of 2.8 per cent, alongside Germany and Austria.

This placed Cyprus above the EU average of 2.0 per cent and the euro area average of 2.2 per cent, highlighting comparatively stronger labour demand.

In the euro area, the job vacancy rate increased slightly to 2.2 per cent in the fourth quarter of 2025, up from 2.1 per cent in the previous quarter but down from 2.5 per cent a year earlier.

In the wider EU, the rate remained unchanged at 2.0 per cent quarter-on-quarter, while declining from 2.3 per cent in the fourth quarter of 2024.

Within Cyprus, wholesale and retail trade recorded the highest number of vacancies at 3,076, compared with 3,358 in the third quarter and 2,479 a year earlier.

Accommodation and food service activities followed, with 1,825 vacancies, down from 2,519 in the previous quarter and 2,431 in the corresponding period of 2024.

Professional, scientific and technical activities reported 1,371 vacancies, rising from 1,080 in the third quarter and 1,315 a year earlier.

Construction also contributed significantly, with 1,117 vacancies, compared with 1,383 in the previous quarter and 920 in the fourth quarter of 2024.

Manufacturing recorded 946 vacancies, down from 1,146 in the third quarter and 1,026 a year earlier.

Administrative and support service activities increased to 870 vacancies, up from 779 in the previous quarter and 517 a year earlier.

Information and communication remained broadly stable at 818 vacancies, compared with 816 in the third quarter and 750 in the same period of 2024.

In terms of vacancy rates, administrative and support service activities recorded the highest rate at 3.9 per cent, followed by wholesale and retail trade at 3.8 per cent and mining and quarrying at 3.6 per cent.

Arts, entertainment and recreation stood at 3.3 per cent, while accommodation and food service activities reached 3.2 per cent and professional, scientific and technical activities 3.1 per cent.

The data also revealed notable year-on-year increases in several sectors, particularly in education, where vacancies rose to 625 from 196.

Administrative and support service activities also saw strong growth, increasing to 870 from 517, while wholesale and retail trade climbed to 3,076 from 2,479.

By contrast, accommodation and food service activities declined to 1,825 from 2,431, while human health and social work activities fell to 609 from 880.

Financial and insurance activities also dropped, with vacancies decreasing to 387 from 635.

On a quarterly basis, public administration and defence recorded the largest increase, with vacancies rising to 683 from 368.

Professional, scientific and technical activities also expanded, reaching 1,371 from 1,080, while real estate activities increased to 134 from 77.

Conversely, accommodation and food service activities saw a sharp decline, falling to 1,825 from 2,519.

Construction vacancies also decreased to 1,117 from 1,383, while transportation and storage dropped to 408 from 643.

Among smaller sectors, mining and quarrying recorded 22 vacancies, up from 3 a year earlier but below the 37 reported in the previous quarter.

Electricity supply stood at 11 vacancies, compared with 2 a year earlier and 59 in the third quarter.

At the European level, the highest job vacancy rates were recorded in the Netherlands at 3.9 per cent, Belgium at 3.5 per cent and Malta at 3.3 per cent, while the lowest were observed in Romania, Poland and Bulgaria.

Eurostat also reported that job vacancy rates increased in six member states, remained stable in seven and decreased in fourteen, indicating uneven labour market trends across the bloc.

Sectoral data showed that the highest vacancy rates were recorded in administrative and support service activities, construction, professional activities, accommodation and food services, and information and communication, reflecting continued demand in key service and technical fields.

Overall, the figures highlight a resilient but moderating labour market in Cyprus, with demand for workers remaining strong despite a slowdown in hiring compared with the previous quarter.