Nicosia: Higher rates of self-perceived discrimination among people born abroad are reported in the 2024 data published today by Eurostat, both in Cyprus and across the EU, compared with those born in their country of residence. In Cyprus, the highest rate among people born abroad was recorded in contact with public services, where 6.6% reported feeling discriminated against. This was followed by seeking housing at 6%, public spaces (such as caf©s, shops, and sports facilities) at 2.4%, and interaction with educational institutions at 1.5%. For people born in Cyprus, the corresponding rates were 1.9% for public services, 1.5% for housing, 0.6% in public spaces, and 1% for interactions with educational institutions.
According to Cyprus News Agency, people born abroad felt more discriminated against than those born in their country of residence across all social contexts examined. The highest rate was recorded when seeking housing, with 12.5% of people born abroad reporting discrimination, compared with 4.3% of native-born individuals. In contact with public services or administrative offices, the rates were 9.7% for people born abroad and 4.5% for those born in their country of residence.
In public spaces, 7.8% of people born abroad reported experiencing discrimination, compared with 2.8% of native-born individuals. The smallest gap between the two groups was observed in interactions with educational institutions, with 4.3% and 2.3% respectively.
According to Eurostat, in the area of discrimination in public spaces, the largest gaps between people born abroad and native-born individuals were recorded in the Netherlands, where 16.2% of people born abroad reported feeling discriminated against, compared with 5.0% of native-born individuals. This was followed by Austria (13.9% vs. 6.1%), Denmark (13.1% vs. 5.3%), Finland (13.1% vs. 2.4%), and Portugal (10.8% vs. 1.8%).
By contrast, nearly identical rates between the two groups were recorded in Croatia (0.8% for people born abroad vs. 0.7% for native-born) and Estonia (6.7% vs. 6.4%).