Cyprus - First in Eurozone In Poverty Risk Of Elderly

(Photo credit: Teo's photo)

Poverty levels in Cyprus in 2011 were lower than the EU average, according to Eurostat data. However, the same data showed that Cyprus ranks first in the Eurozone and second in the EU (after Bulgaria) as regards poverty risk of over 65 years olds. The data shows than in 2011 almost one in four Cypriots (23.5% of the Cyprus population, or 200.000 people) fulfilled at least one of the three EU criteria, which define poverty.

The three criteria are income, lack of basis survival means and households with unemployed persons. The EU average was 24.2%. In Greece, it was 31.0%, recording the highest poverty level in the eurozone.

As regards age groups, the percentage of people more than 65 years old in Cyprus who fulfilled one of the three criteria which define poverty was the highest in the Eurozone reaching 40.4%, while the EU average was 20.5% (Greece 29.3%) and Bulgaria 61.1%.

Poverty levels for under 18 year olds in Cyprus stood at 21.8% (EU average 27%, Greece 30.4%). Poverty risk at this particular age group rises with increasing lack of education from parents.

In Cyprus, poverty risk reaches 33.5% when parents have a low level of education, to 14.8% when they have a medium level of education and 4.3% with a high level of education.

Poverty level in Cyprus for the age group 18-64 stood at 20.8% (EU average 24.3%, Greece 31.6%). Famagusta Gazette