Poverty in Cyprus
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Poverty in Cyprus is not well documented, yet is still considered a major problem by the Cypriot government.[1] Due to strong kinship bonds among extended families, poverty in Cyprus primarily affects those outside kinship networks, such as immigrants, divorcees and singles from small families.[1] One study found a strong correlation between increased poverty and small family size.[1] Poverty is also more likely to affect the elderly than the young, as a result of income to pensions raising the dependency levels.[2][3]
A report from the late 1990s (based on the Family Expenditure Survey of 1996–97) found that the Gini coefficient (which indicates income distribution) for Cyprus was about 0.36, and that the most vulnerable groups included the chronically ill, retirees, poorly educated people, and housewives (widows).[2][4]
Poverty and social exclusion in Cyprus have changed significantly following Cyprus' entry into the European Union in 2004.[5] According to Eurostat, people "at risk of poverty" or social exclusion in Cyprus accounted for approximately 23–27%, roughly aligned with the EU average of about 23–26% in the measured period (2004–2012).[6] In 2010, 16% of the population were part of households with income below €10,189 per adult capita, corresponding to 60% of the median income per adult capita.[7] People living in severe material deprivation comprised about 10% of the population.[7]
Living condition and deprivation indicators are set measurements of poverty. Objectively, basic commodities of material hardship, housing standards, and financial misfortune can hurt a family.[8] Other symptoms of the economy, standards of living, or life satisfaction, play a role in how the household income is used.[8] As a result of the toll that these specific indicators take on a family, that renders "social exclusion" relevant as well, by restricting the family's ability to develop.[9] The EU formed the Social Protection Committee for this purpose for safeguarding inclusion, as shown in dataset Euro-25.[9]
A 2013 study by Koutsampelas and Polycarpou noted that "Poverty [in Cyprus], according to all indices, falls between 2009 and 2012. However, it increases considerably in 2013 (13.1%–32.9%) and thereafter it stabilizes at rather high levels". Following the 2012–13 Cypriot financial crisis, predictions were made that poverty in Cyprus will significantly worsen, but as of 2014 no conclusive evidence has supported this.[10][11][12] The number of people living in severe material deprivation rose to 15%, though the at-risk rate actually dropped from 15.9% in 2008 to 14.7% in 2012.[10]
Unemployment in Cyprus rose from 3.7% in 2008 to 15.9% in 2013, and youth unemployment reached a record 32% that year.[10] The long-term unemployment rate rose more than sevenfold from 0.5% in 2008 to 3.6% in 2012.[10]
