Cyprus net migration eases in 2006

Net migration in Cyprus eased in 2006, according to the latest figures from the Statistical Service, Cystat.

Migration inflows minus migration outflows amounted to 8,671 for the whole year, down from 14,416 in 2005 and a peak of 15,724 in 2004.

This was the year in which Cyprus joined the EU and in which all EU nationals could work without restrictions in Cyprus.

Previously restrictions were quite tight, especially for non-executive jobs outside the traditional offshore sector.

 

Total fertility rate high but falling

 

The figures also show that the total fertility rate (roughly defined as the number of children per woman of child-bearing age) was fairly high by EU standards, at 1.4 in 2006.

However, it is lower than the “replacement rate” of 2.1 and has been this way since 1995.

 

Wedding tourism show up

 

One interesting statistic is that the number of marriages undertaken by residents of Cyprus (5,252) was only 42% of total marriages in Cyprus (21,617).

With sunshine almost 365 days a year, Cyprus has lately become a popular place for people from rainy Britain to marry. 

The ability to marry via a civil ceremony only also attracts marriages from neighbouring countries such as Israel, where civil weddings are not allowed.

 

Fiona Mullen

Sapienta Economics Ltd