Cyprus Population

Cyprus has a long history of political instability and conflict between its Greek and Turkish inhabitants, and the island has been split in two since 1974. After being severely affected by the global financial crisis in 2008, the country’s economy has finally begun to strengthen again.

Key figures and facts

• Capital: Nicosia
• Ethnic groups: Greeks 98.8%, other 1% (including Maronites, Armenians, Turkish Cypriots), unspecified 0.2%, (figures represent only the Greek Cypriot part of the island) (2011)
• Language: Greek (official) 80.9%, Turkish (official) 0.2%, English 4.1%, Romanian 2.9%, Russian 2.5%, Bulgarian 2.2%, Arabic 1.2%, Filipino 1.1%, other 4.3%, unspecified 0.6%, (figures represent only the Greek Cypriot part of the country) (2011)
• Religion: Orthodox 89.1%, Catholics 2.9%, Protestants/Anglicans 2%, Muslims 1.8%, Buddhists 1%, others (includes Maronites, Armenian Orthodox, Hindus) 1.4%, unspecified 1.1%, none/atheists 0.6% (numbers represent only the Greek Cypriot part of the island) (2011)
• Population: 1 189 085 (2018) The whole island
• Control Form: Republic
• Area: 9 250 km2
• Currency: euro
• GNP per capita: 32 708 PPP $
• National Day: October 1st

Cyprus’ Population

Cyprus has a population of 780 100 (2005). Greek Cypriots make up about 80 percent of the population, and Turkish Cypriots make up the remaining 20 percent.

Following the invasion of Turkey in 1974 and the subsequent division of the island into southern and northern Cyprus, over 200,000 Greek Cypriots had to move from the Turkish-occupied northern part and settle in the south. Northern Cyprus, which makes up 36 percent of the island’s area, has thus obtained an almost pure Turkish settlement with, among other things, 50,000 mainland Turks, and Southern Cyprus a Greek settlement.

Population of Cyprus by Year (Historical)

Year	Population	Annual Growth Rate	Population Density	Global Rank
2020	1,207,248	0.730%	130.6666	158
2019	1,198,464	0.780%	129.7159	158
2018	1,189,154	0.810%	128.7083	158
2017	1,179,567	0.810%	127.6708	158
2016	1,170,076	0.790%	126.6436	158
2015	1,160,874	0.860%	125.6477	158
2010	1,112,501	1.600%	120.4125	156
2005	1,027,551	1.730%	111.2188	155
2000	943,179	1.980%	102.0877	155
1995	855,272	2.210%	92.5739	155
1990	766,504	1.730%	82.9670	155
1985	703,574	0.530%	76.1564	156
1980	685,294	1.070%	74.1780	154
1975	649,640	1.150%	70.3194	152
1970	613,507	1.100%	66.4089	152
1965	580,855	0.280%	62.8751	150
1960	572,819	1.570%	62.0054	148
1955	529,861	1.410%	57.3563	148
1950	493,904	0.000%	53.4648	146

Major Cities in Cyprus by Population

Rank	City	Population
1	Nicosia	200,341
2	Limassol	153,889
3	Larnaca	71,889
4	Famagusta	42,415
5	Paphos	35,850
6	Kyrenia	26,590
7	Protaras	20,119
8	Pergamos	14,889
9	Morfou	14,722
10	Aradippou	13,238
11	Paralimni	11,725
12	Geroskipou Municipality	8,202
13	Lefka	7,724
14	Geri	7,528
15	Ypsonas	7,237
16	Dali	5,974
17	Tseri	5,387
18	Livadia	5,218
19	Dhromolaxia	5,129
20	Lapithos	5,104
21	Rizokarpaso	5,104
22	Deryneia	5,050

Settlement

The largest part of the population lives in the lowlands along the coast and in the cities, which have two thirds of the population. The island’s largest city is Levkosia (Nicosia/Nicosia), which is divided into a Greek-Cypriot section and a Turkish-Cypriot section. Other important cities are the port cities of Lemesós (Limassol) and Larnax (Larnaka) on the south coast, and Gazimağusa (Famagusta) on the east coast of the Turkish-occupied zone.

Religion

About 82 percent belong to the Greek Orthodox Church, about 1.5 percent are Maronites, while Muslims make up about 16.5 percent.

Language

Greek and Turkish are official languages. English is important in teaching and trade.