Nicosia: Employment inequalities related to disability, gender, and origin were documented in 2024 across the EU and Cyprus, highlighting an increase in gender inequality, as per data released by Eurostat. This report was shared during EU Diversity Month in May 2025, aimed at raising awareness about the significance of diversity and inclusion in workplaces and society.
According to Cyprus News Agency, the gender employment gap in the EU stood at 10.0 percentage points (pp), with an employment rate of 80.8% for men compared to 70.8% for women. This gap showed a slight reduction of 0.2 pp from 2023 and a more substantial decrease of 1.1 pp from 2014.
The employment gap was especially noticeable among the foreign-born population, with a disparity of 18.1 pp in employment rates, where foreign-born men had an employment rate of 83.1%, compared to 65.0% for women. Additionally, foreign-born women faced a 15.7 pp lower employment rate than native-born women.
The employment gap between individuals with and without disabilities was notably significant, reaching 24.0 pp.
In Cyprus, the gender employment gap mirrored the EU’s at 10.0 pp, with men having an employment rate of 85.0% and women at 75.0%. This represented a 0.1 pp increase from 2023 and a 2.3 pp rise compared to 2014.
Regarding the foreign-born population in Cyprus, the gender employment gap was 13.7 pp, with foreign-born men having an employment rate of 88.4%, whereas women were at 74.7%. Here too, foreign-born women experienced a 15.7 pp lower employment rate than women born in Cyprus.
In Cyprus, the employment gap between individuals with and without disabilities was slightly higher at 24.5 pp.
The reported employment gaps pertain to the age group 20-64 for the overall population and individuals with disabilities, and to the age group 25-54 for foreign-born men and women, as well as for foreign-born and native-born women.