The 2025 survey reports 17.1% of the population at risk of poverty or social exclusion, with data based on income reference year 2024, highlighting persistent gender disparities and the impact of social transfers.
The Survey on Income and Living Conditions 2025, based on income reference year 2024, indicates that 17.1% of the population, or approximately 167,000 persons, are at risk of poverty or social exclusion (AROPE indicator). This main EU 2030 target monitoring indicator reflects households with disposable income below the threshold, severe material and social deprivation, or very low work intensity.
The indicator remained unchanged at 17.1% compared to 2024. In 2025, the rate for women was 18.7%, higher than the 15.5% for men, maintaining gender disparities. The evolution of the indicator from 2015 to 2025 is shown in Figure 1.
Sub-indicators show a slight increase in the risk of poverty from 14.6% in 2024 to 14.9% in 2025, while the percentage living in households with very low work intensity remained at 4.2%. The severe material and social deprivation decreased from 2.5% to 2.2%. Overall, the at-risk-of-poverty or social exclusion rate remained stable at 17.1%.
In 2025, 14.9% of the population was at risk of poverty, with the at-risk-of-poverty threshold estimated at €13,240 for single households and €27,803 for households with two adults and two children under 14, representing increases of 6.8% compared to 2024. The median equivalised disposable income for a single person was €22,067 in 2025, up from €20,667 in 2024.
The comparison of the at-risk-of-poverty rate and threshold from 2008 to 2025 is shown in Figure 3.
Social transfers significantly reduce the risk of poverty. In 2025, the population at risk before social benefits and pensions was 33.6%. When only pensions are included, the rate drops to 21.7%, and with social benefits included, it further decreases to 14.9%. Overall, social transfers reduced the at-risk rate by 18.7 percentage points, with pensions contributing 11.9 points and social benefits 6.8 points.
The survey is conducted annually by CYSTAT, covering 4,224 households across Cyprus, using personal and telephone interviews with electronic questionnaires. It aligns with EU regulations and aims to study socioeconomic indicators affecting living conditions, income inequalities, and social exclusion.
Definitions include the at-risk-of-poverty rate, thresholds, severe material and social deprivation, very low work intensity, and social transfers. More information is available on the CYSTAT portal and contact details are provided for further inquiries.
