Nicosia: The number of registered unemployed individuals in Cyprus rose to 12,385 at the end of August 2026, marking an increase of 829 people or 7.2% compared with the same month last year, as detailed by the Cyprus Statistical Service's data released on Thursday.
According to Cyprus News Agency, seasonally adjusted data, which offer insights into the underlying trend in unemployment, showed an increase in registered unemployed individuals to 10,671 in August, up from 10,563 in July.
The Statistical Service attributed the year-on-year rise in registered unemployment primarily to the sectors of public administration, education, administrative and support service activities, and information and communication. Public administration and defence registered the largest increase in absolute numbers, with unemployed individuals rising to 3,455 in August 2026, from 3,214 in August 2025 and 3,193 in July 2026.
In the education sector, the number of registered unemployed reached 1,939, compared to 1,818 a year earlier and 1,731 in July. The wholesale and retail trade sector recorded 1,404 unemployed individuals, up from 1,363 in August 2025, while in professional, scientific, and technical activities, the number rose to 879 from 792.
The information and communication activities sector also saw an increase compared with August 2025, with registered unemployed rising to 544 from 451. In administrative and support service activities, the number increased to 438 from 340, and in human health and social work activities, it rose to 372 from 348.
Conversely, the accommodation and food service activities sector experienced a decrease in registered unemployment, falling to 841 in August from 889 in July, although it remained higher than the 798 recorded in August 2025.
The actual figures for 2026 reveal significant seasonal fluctuations in unemployment numbers. Registered unemployed stood at 12,650 in January, dropped to 7,936 in May, and rose again to 12,385 in August. In August 2025, 11,556 registered unemployed individuals were recorded.