Cyprus’ population grew older between 2000 – 2017, while the fertility rate dropped further to 1.32 last year, well below the replenishment level of 2.10 needed, according to the latest demographic report.
The population in the government-controlled areas stood at 864,200 at the end of 2017, compared with 854,800 in 2016, recording an increase of 1.1%.
“The proportion of children below 15 was 16.2% while the proportion of those aged 65 and over increased to 15.9% in 2017, compared with 22.3% and 11.3% respectively in 2000.
“This meant a gradual increase in the proportion of elderly people and a decrease in the proportion of children, demonstrating the ageing process of the population,” the Statistical Service said.
Number of births drops
In 2017 the number of births decreased to 9,229 from 9,455 the year before, giving a crude birth rate of 10.7 per 1,000 population. The total fertility rate for 2017 decreased to 1.32 – the second lowest in the EU – from 1.37 in 2016.
The total fertility rate decreased gradually over recent years, from its peak of 2.46 between 1982-1985.
Since 1995 the total fertility rate has remained below the replenishment level of 2.10.
The mean age at which women bore their first child was 29.2 years, while the mean age of women at childbirth (for all births) stood at 30.8.
Life expectancy declines for men and women
The report showed that the number of deaths reached 5,996 in 2017 and the corresponding crude death rate was 7.0 deaths per 1,000 population.
Life expectancy at birth was estimated at 80 for men and 84.1 years for women from 80.3 for men and 84.7 for women in 2016.
Infant mortality reached a very low level of 1.3 infant deaths per 1,000 live births in 2017.
Marriages on decline
The total number of marriages in 2017 decreased to 13,062 from 13,558 the year before. Church weddings showed a slight increase from 2016 (3,942 to 3,926) and civil marriages dropped from 9,632 in 2016 to 9,120 in 2017.
A large number of foreigners who wed in Cyprus by civil marriage did not reside on the island. Civil marriages of residents of Cyprus stood at 1,940 in 2017 from a total of 9,120. Thus, the total number of marriages of residents totalled 5,882.
Divorces stood at 1,932, with the crude divorce rate estimated at 2.25 per 1,000 population.
Cypriots returning home
Net migration in Cyprus has been positive from 1983 – 2011. Between 2012-2015, net migration has been negative. From 2016 net migration became positive again. In 2017, it was estimated at 6,201.
Long-term immigrants (Cypriots and foreigners arriving for settlement or for temporary employment for 1 year or more) were 21,306 in 2017, compared with 17,391 in 2016.
Emigrants (Cypriots and foreigners who had resided in Cyprus for at least one year) were 15,105 in 2017 compared with 14,892 in 2016.
