‘Clearly far more people want to come to Cyprus than leave.’ But still, not everyone loves living on our island...

In 2010, Stavros Makrides left Cyprus. It was, he thought, a temporary move.

“I went to study in the UK,” he reveals. “And I never came back. Why? Because I’d never have made enough money to survive in Cyprus…”

In the most recent round of the European Social Survey 60 per cent of Cyprus’ respondents claimed to be ‘extremely dissatisfied’ with the state of the island’s economy – one of the highest rates in Europe. And money is a reason often cited by those who leave – at just over €27,000 a year, the average Cyprus salary is definitely on the lower end of the wage scale.

But there are many other reasons people choose to leave the island. According to the Cyprus Statistical Service, roughly 18,000 people make this decision each year, among them young professionals in search of a better life, repatriating expats yearning for home, or retirees missing their family.

In the past, many people had no option but to leave Cyprus; in the 50s and 60s, emigration was often an economic or political necessity. But in more recent years, motivations for leaving the island have shifted. Today, those who leave tend to do so through choice…

“Of course I could have stayed,” adds 32-year-old Stavros, who now works in marketing in Manchester. “But I don’t think I would have been able to afford to get married and start a family. And I doubt I would have been able to live the life I wanted.”

The data shows that, between 2012 and 2022 (the last period for which figures are available), Cyprus welcomed over 225,000 immigrants, and said goodbye to 205,000 emigrants. This increase in new residents has remained fairly steady – clearly far more people want to come to Cyprus than leave.

The only exception was post-haircut: in 2013 and 2014, the island saw more than twice as many people leave as arrive. But by 2015, we were back to level pegging, and every year since – even during Covid – has seen more newcomers than departures.

“During the pandemic, far fewer people left,” says Andrea Etherington. “Cyprus was seen as safer than other countries; its relative size and geographic isolation provided a sense of security.”

A Peyia resident, Andrea works for Cyprus Container Shipping, and has helped thousands of people relocate both to and from the island.

‘This is my view on my evening walks’ says Paris Panayides, who now lives in Switzerland

“Relocation is a massive undertaking; not something you want to do on a whim. So you get to build a relationship with your clients, understand their motives. And for the most part,” she says, “the motives of those who leave fall into two main categories…”

First are those for whom the dream did not match the reality.

“I see a lot of people who come on holiday, fall in love with the island, and decide to find a job here. But when they arrive they discover it’s not all a bed of roses: perhaps the salary they were promised never materialises, or their employers refuse to pay social insurance – I’ve seen both plenty of times!”

“You also get people who simply run out of money. They’ve lived beyond their means, and have to return to their parents.”

Then there are those whose reasons are more social.

“You get relationships that have fallen through; grandparents who want to be closer to their grandchildren; and expats who have lost their partner. There have even been the odd few cases of people who were so upset with friends or neighbours that they simply upped and left!”

The majority of those whom Andrea relocates are expats. “Which means health and age are common factors, although I’ve noticed a great many repatriating Brits are shocked to discover that the NHS isn’t nearly as good as Gesy!”

But plenty of Cypriots make a permanent move as well…

“I should have left years ago,” says 46-year-old fintech specialist Paris Panayides, who moved to Zug in 2022.

“I know Switzerland is seen as very expensive, but to be honest, I’m finding it cheaper: in Cyprus, 40 per cent of my salary went on tax; here it’s less than 20 per cent!”

Paris has few regrets about his move, though he admits he misses his family. “I’m Cypriot, but I just can’t handle the heat!” he says. “On top of that, I was sick of spending half my morning stuck in traffic jams. And the job opportunities simply weren’t there.

“Here in Zug, I have a well-paying job with prospects, and I can work remotely when I choose. The infrastructure works, public transport is great, and I never get hot!”

For Agatha Neophytou, a permanent move has also been a liberating experience. The 32-year-old graphic designer left Cyprus for Vienna three years ago, and has never looked back.

“I felt I was leading a dead-end life in Limassol,” she suggests. “The opportunities for creative growth were very limited, and I didn’t feel my work was valued. I think the lack of appreciation – and remuneration! – for artistic professionals drives a lot of people to leave the island.”

46-year-old Andros Theocharous, who’s lived in Berlin for the last four years, suggests it was superficiality that prompted his move.

“In Cyprus, it felt like everything was for show, everything was fake. It was all about who you knew, where you went, how much your car or house or clothes cost.

“Here in Germany, nobody cares about that stuff – they see you for who you are; you’re valued for your ideas and contributions, not for who you know or where you go. I don’t think I’ll be back soon!”

But it’s relocation expert Andrea who has the last word.

“Of all the people I see leaving Cyprus for good, I’d say over 25 per cent change their minds. They realise the grass isn’t greener abroad – that in fact, it’s actually far less green than in Cyprus!

“Give it a year, give it two – and they’re back on the island. Because no matter how you may feel about Cyprus, it has a magic that calls you home.”