There is a significant wage gap and underrepresentation in leadership roles for women, despite their majority in the nation’s workforce, data from the Cyprus Statistical Service show.
Women, who constitute over half (51.2%) of Cyprus’s population, now represent 60.9% of its workforce. Yet, as the data show, wage disparity persists, with women’s average gross hourly earnings trailing behind men’s by 10.2% in 2022.
The educational attainment among women is notably high, with more than half (54.8%) of women aged 25-64 holding tertiary education degrees, and nearly 43% engaged in high-specialisation professions. However, this does not translate into leadership positions, with a mere 2.2% of employed women reaching managerial roles.
The challenges for women extend beyond the workplace. The Statistical Service reports that 15.1% of women were at risk of poverty in 2022. Alarmingly, women accounted for 91.2% of sexual offence victims, underscoring significant societal issues.
Political representation also remains a concern, with women making up only 14.3% of the Members in the House of Representatives.
