**Cyprus Excels in Protecting Youth from Material Deprivation**
Cyprus has distinguished itself as a leader in safeguarding its youth from severe material and social deprivation, according to recent statistics released by Eurostat for the year 2025. The island nation has recorded a remarkably low rate of just two percent for young people aged 15 to 29, positioning it among the top ten best-performing countries in the European Union (EU).
This achievement stands in stark contrast to the overall situation across the continent, where the rate of severe material and social deprivation for the same age group was reported at 5.8 percent, maintaining the same level as in 2024. Notably, this figure for young people is slightly lower than the overall deprivation rate for the total population in the EU, which is currently at 6.3 percent.
While Cyprus maintains a stable and favorable environment for its younger citizens, many other EU member states are grappling with significant challenges in ensuring the well-being of their youth. The highest rates of severe material and social deprivation among young people were observed in Romania, which reported a rate of 15.1 percent, followed closely by Greece at 14.7 percent and Bulgaria at 14.0 percent.
In contrast, Cyprus is among ten EU nations that have successfully kept the rate of severe deprivation for youth below three percent. Other countries achieving similar results include Croatia, Slovenia, Poland, the Czech Republic, Estonia, Austria, the Netherlands, Luxembourg, and Portugal. This collective success highlights a regional effort to address the needs of young people and ensure their access to essential resources.
Despite Cyprus's notable success in minimizing severe material hardship among its youth, the broader European context reveals ongoing challenges. Young people across Europe continue to face a heightened risk of poverty or social exclusion compared to the general population. In 2025, the overall at-risk-of-poverty or social exclusion rate for those aged 15 to 29 years reached 24.2 percent across the EU. This figure represents a significant 3.3 percentage point increase over the rate for the total population, which stands at 20.9 percent.
When examining specific components of this risk, the data indicate that young people are particularly vulnerable to poverty. The at-risk-of-poverty rate for youth is recorded at 19.6 percent, which is 3.3 percentage points higher than the general population's rate of 16.3 percent. However, the disparity is less pronounced when it comes to the share of individuals living in households with very low work intensity. In this category, the rate for young people is only marginally higher, at 8.2 percent, compared to 7.9 percent for the total population.
The findings underscore the importance of targeted policies and interventions aimed at protecting young people from economic hardship and social exclusion. As Cyprus continues to excel in this area, it serves as a model for other nations striving to improve the living conditions of their youth. The ongoing commitment to addressing the unique challenges faced by young people will be crucial in maintaining and enhancing their well-being in the years to come.
In summary, Cyprus's achievement in achieving a low rate of severe material deprivation among its youth illustrates the effectiveness of its social policies and programs. As the EU grapples with varying levels of deprivation and poverty among young people, the situation in Cyprus offers a hopeful perspective on the potential for positive outcomes through dedicated efforts and strategic planning.