The average number of government employees in Cyprus reached 54,314 during the January–December 2024 period, reflecting a 3.1% increase compared to the same period in 2023. This growth corresponds to an addition of 1,615 employees, as reported by the Statistical Service on Monday.
Key Factors Behind the Growth
The primary driver of this rise was the increased recruitment of casual staff in the Educational Service. This shift resulted from the elimination of the “purchase of services” system in the Ministry of Education, Sport, and Youth’s support programs, a policy implemented from the 2023–2024 school year.
By December 2024, total government employment rose to 55,248 individuals. These figures included 12,034 permanent employees, 4,184 with indefinite contracts, 1,348 on fixed-term contracts, and 5,700 hourly-paid workers. Permanent employees comprised the largest proportion (51.7%), while those with fixed-term contracts accounted for the smallest share (5.8%).
Breakdown by Service
Educational Service
The Educational Service employed 12,470 permanent staff, 962 on indefinite contracts, 4,619 on fixed-term contracts, and 158 hourly-paid workers. Permanent employees made up 68.5% of the workforce in this sector, whereas hourly-paid workers represented only 0.9%.
Security Forces
The Security Forces included 8,302 permanent employees, 4,429 with indefinite contracts, 292 on fixed-term contracts, and 750 hourly-paid staff. Here, permanent employees constituted 60.3% of the workforce, while fixed-term contract workers accounted for just 2.1%.
The report highlights how changes in employment practices, particularly in the education sector, have significantly influenced overall government employment trends.
Source: Stockwatch Cyprus