CYPRUS: Population drops by 12,000, foreign weddings boom

The registered population of the Republic of Cyprus dropped by 12,000 to 858,000 in 2013, according the latest demographic survey discussed in the House Labour Committee.

The statistical service Cystat report showed that the birth rate was 1.3 children per woman. Opposition AKEL MP Skevi Koukouma said that for a healthy population growth that figure should be 2.1 births.
She added that the demographic survey also showed that in 2013 there were 12,680 marriages, of which 3,650 were church services and 9,030 civil weddings, but mostly of foreign visitors as only 1,841 were Cypriots. The age for marriage is also set back with 31 years for men and 29 for women.
In total, there were 9,341 births, of which 1,832 were outside wedlock, and 5,141 deaths, with the average lifespan for men at 80 years and for women at 84.8.
“We are concerned by these data and the government should deal with the demographic issues very seriously as part of its family welfare plans,” Koukouma said.
She added that at this rate Cyprus would face serious demographic issues within 10-15 years.