The population in the government-controlled areas of Cyprus has risen to 918,100 – up 9.2 per cent from 840,000 ten years ago according to the preliminary results of the latest census, the statistical service said on Wednesday.

Foreign nationals numbered 193,300, accounting for 21 per cent of the population. The average household size continued its downward trend to 2.6 persons per household in 2021.

The figures are for October 1, 2021, and comparisons are with the census of population carried out in 2011.

A proportion of 48.6 per cent of the population are men and 51.4 per cent women.

The population in Nicosia district was 351,600 persons and accounts for 38 per cent of the total. Limassol district has a population of 258,900 (28 per cent), Larnaca 154,200 (17 per cent), Paphos 101,900 (11 per cent) and Famagusta district 51,500 (6 per cent).

The Paphos district recorded the highest population increase compared to 2011, up 15.4 per cent followed by Famagusta with a 10.5 per cent rise. Limassol district recorded an increase of 10 per cent, Larnaca district 7.7 per cent and Nicosia district 7.5 per cent.

District Population
1/10/2021		 Population
1/10/2011		 Percentage Increase
(2021/2011)
Nicosia 351,600 327,000 7.5
Famagusta 51,500 46,600 10.5
Larnaka 154,200 143,200 7.7
Limassol 258,900 235,300 10.0
Paphos 101,900 88,300 15.4
Total 918,100 840,400 9.2


Population by age

The proportion of children below 15 was 15.9 per cent. The proportion of persons aged 15-64 years accounted for 67.4 per cent of the total and those aged 65+, 16.7 per cent.

“The proportion of persons aged 65+ was higher than the proportion of children less than 15 years, demonstrating that the population is ageing. This tendency is also apparent in most European countries, which are going through the ageing process as well,” the statistical service said.

Population by citizenship

The total number of foreign nationals is 193,300 and corresponds to 21.1 per cent of the total population. Paphos has the highest proportion of foreigners in relation to its total population, accounting for 38 per cent.

In Limassol district, 20.5 per cent are foreign nationals and in Larnaca 18.9 per cent. In the Famagusta and Nicosia districts, the figures are 18.6 per cent and 17.9 per cent respectively.

District Total Cypriots Foreigners
Population Percentage (%) Population Percentage (%)
Nicosia 351,600 288,800 82.1 62,800 17,9
Famagusta 51,500 41,900 81.4 9,600 18,6
Larnaca 154,200 125,100 81.1 29,100 18,9
Limassol 258,900 205,800 79.5 53,100 20,5
Paphos 101,900 63,200 62.0 38,700 38,0
Total 918,100 724,800 78.9 193,300 21,1


Average household size

The average household size decreased to 2.6 persons per household in 2021, compared to 4 persons in the Census of 1976, 3.2 in 1992 and 2.8 persons in the last census of 2011. At district level, the highest average household size is recorded in Famagusta district and the lowest in Paphos district.

District Average Household Size
2021 2011 1992 1976
Nicosia 2.6 2.7 3.2 4.0
Ammochostos 2.8 2.9 3.4 4.2
Larnaca 2.7 2.9 3.3 4.1
Limassol 2.6 2.8 3.2 3.9
Paphos 2.5 2.7 3.1 3.7
Total 2.6 2.8 3.2 4.0

The statistical service said it will be able to provide more detailed tables at a later stage. It expressed its sincere appreciation to all citizens for providing the required information and assured that all data recorded in the questionnaires as well as the information processed from administrative sources, will be treated as confidential and will be used solely for statistical purposes.

The purpose of the Census of Population and Housing, which started in October 2021, was the complete and accurate geographical coverage of all housing units, institutions, households and individuals, Cypriot and foreign nationals, who had their usual residence in the government controlled areas on October 1, 2021.

The press release presents provisional data which may be revised after the final processing and validation take place, procedures which are necessary for providing high-quality statistical information, the statistical service clarified.