The rising cost of living is the top concern for Cypriots, a survey conducted by Pulse Market Research on behalf of Phileleftheros found.
The study, encompassing 600 completed interviews across urban and rural areas of Cyprus, sheds light on issues facing the country.
According to the findings, inflation and unemployment are red flags, exacerbating the economic woes. Specifically, 43% of respondents perceive inflation as the foremost issue, with a majority of 85% lamenting the deterioration of the situation compared to the past.
Furthermore, migration ranks prominently as the second most significant concern, with 35% of participants citing it as an issue. Also, 68% of respondents indicated a perceived worsening of the situation.
Corruption and cronyism have also captured the attention of Cypriots, with 34% identifying them as major problems. Alarmingly, 61% believe that these issues have deteriorated over time.
Institutional functioning, favouritism, and nepotism, along with economic concerns, occupy the subsequent slots in the hierarchy of concerns, with 20% of respondents expressing concerns.
Notably, over half of the participants, 51%, believe that favouritism and bureaucracy have worsened, while 41% perceive no improvement.
While the Cyprus problem ranks relatively lower, it still commands attention, securing the sixth position in the list of concerns. Education and healthcare have garnered comparatively lower levels of apprehension, with 10% and 7% of respondents respectively expressing concern.
In terms of perceived threats, crime, as well as violence in sports stadiums have emerged as pressing issues, with 6% and 59% of respondents respectively indicating a worsening trend.
Similarly, tension in the Middle East, though a relatively new inclusion in the survey, has garnered attention, with 3% of respondents expressing concern.
However, amidst the prevailing apprehensions, there are some glimmers of optimism.
Unemployment, though still a concern, has shown signs of improvement, with 27% of respondents believing that the situation has ameliorated compared to the past.
Read more:
