People and Society of Cyprus

Nationality

noun: Cypriot(s) adjective: Cypriot

Ethnic Groups

Greek 98.8%, other 1% (includes Maronite, Armenian, Turkish-Cypriot), unspecified 0.2%

Population

1,102,677

Population (Male / Female)

male: 675,196 female: 645,329

Population Distribution

population concentrated in central Nicosia and in the major cities of the south: Paphos, Limassol, and Larnaca

Urban Population

urban population: 67% of total population rate of urbanization: 0.76% annual rate of change

Population in Major Urban Areas

269,000 NICOSIA (capital)

Age Structure

0-14 years: 15.6% (male 105,533/female 100,099) 15-64 years: 70% (male 486,569/female 437,651) 65 years and over: 14.4% (male 83,094/female 107,579)

Median Age

total: 39.5 years male: 38.2 years female: 41 years

Sex Ratio at Birth

at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female 0-14 years: 1.05 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1.11 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.77 male(s)/female total population: 1.05 male(s)/female

Medical care is available both at government hospitals and private clinics. Emergency rooms offer adequate care to stabilize patients, most of who are then transferred to private hospitals. Many of the private-sector doctors have been trained in the United Kingdom or the United States. While fees are generally lower than those in the United States, medical supplies are often more expensive. Paramedics do not staff ambulances. The standard of medical care in the area administered by Turkish Cypriots is improving but still falls below that found in the government-controlled area. The World Health Organization considers Cyprus to be one of the healthiest areas of the Mediterranean. Water supplies are potable, and the refuse collection/sewage disposal system is adequate. Communicable diseases such as typhoid are rare. Respiratory ailments and allergies are sometimes exacerbated by the dry and dusty climate.

Life Expectancy at Birth

total population: 80.2 years male: 77.4 years female: 83.1 years

Infant Mortality Rate

total: 8.1 deaths/1,000 live births male: 9.7 deaths/1,000 live births female: 6.4 deaths/1,000 live births

Drinking Water Source

improved: urban: 99.7% of population rural: 99.8% of population total: 99.8% of population unimproved: urban: 0.3% of population rural: 0.2% of population total: 0.2% of population

Sanitation Facility Access

improved: urban: 99.7% of population rural: 98.8% of population total: 99.4% of population unimproved: urban: 0.3% of population rural: 1.2% of population total: 0.6% of population

Tobacco Use

total: 35.1% male: 47% female: 23.2%

Alcohol Consumption

total: 9.59 liters of pure alcohol beer: 2.85 liters of pure alcohol wine: 2.72 liters of pure alcohol spirits: 4.02 liters of pure alcohol other alcohols: 0 liters of pure alcohol

Literacy Definition

age 15 and over can read and write

Total School Life Expectancy

total: 16 years male: 16 years female: 16 years

• Greek Orthodox78.0%
• Muslim18.0%
• Other4.0%

Greek, Turkish, English

Greek (official) 80.9%, Turkish (official) 0.2%, English 4.1%, Romanian 2.9%, Russian 2.5%, Bulgarian 2.2%, Arabic 1.2%, Filipino 1.1%, other 4.3%, unspecified 0.6%; note - data represent only the Republic of Cyprus

• Greek
• Turkish

Crime Information

Although the crime rate in Cyprus is low, visitors in any urban area should take the normal precautions they would take in any large city. Be alert and always vigilant of your surroundings and of your personal belongings. Criminals often target persons who are distracted, alone in an isolated area, or impaired. There has been a reported increase in the rate of home break-ins, particularly in Nicosia. Although most home break-ins take place overnight, this type of crime can take place at any time of day or night, as perpetrators seek targets of opportunity whenever available. As in any major metropolitan area, all travelers and residents should exercise care by locking all doors and windows to their homes, offices, and cars, and not leaving any valuables unattended or out in public view. Don’t buy counterfeit and pirated goods, even if they are widely available. Not only are these items illegal to bring back into the United States, by purchasing them you may also be breaking local law. Avoid so-called “cabarets” or topless bars, as they reportedly employ women brought to Cyprus for sexual exploitation. These establishments can also present foreign patrons with grossly inflated bar tabs, and customers who refuse to pay may be threatened.

Criminal Penalties

While you are traveling in Cyprus, you are subject to its laws even if you are a U.S. citizen. Foreign laws and legal systems can be vastly different than our own, and criminal penalties vary from country to country. There are also some things that might be legal in the country you visit, but still illegal in the United States; for instance, you can be prosecuted under U.S. law if you buy pirated goods while traveling overseas. Engaging in sexual conduct with children or using or disseminating child pornography in a foreign country is a crime prosecutable in the United States. If you break local laws in Cyprus, your U.S. passport won’t help you avoid arrest or prosecution. It’s very important to know what’s legal and what’s not wherever you go. If you are arrested in Cyprus, authorities of Cyprus are required to notify the U.S. Embassy of your arrest. If you are concerned the Department of State may not be aware of your situation, you should ask the police or prison officials to notify the U.S. Embassy of your arrest. You also have the option to request communications from you be forwarded to the U.S. Embassy.