**Cyprus Faces Second-Highest Desertification Rate in the EU, JRC Report Reveals**
A recent report from the European Commission's Joint Research Centre (JRC) has highlighted Cyprus as having the second-highest desertification rate in the European Union. The report, released on August 3, 2026, indicates that approximately 45% of Cyprus's land is under conditions of desertification, a concerning statistic that underscores the island's vulnerability to climate change.
The findings reveal that Cyprus not only has a significant portion of its land affected by desertification but also the highest percentage of its population living in these areas within the EU. About 61% of the Cypriot population, which equates to roughly 0.7 million individuals, resides in regions classified as experiencing desertification. This statistic places Cyprus ahead of other EU nations, with Greece following at 47% and Spain at 43%.
The JRC report, titled “Towards a better characterisation of land degradation and desertification in the European Union,” employs a new methodology for mapping land degradation and desertification across the EU. This framework is aligned with the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification and has been adapted to utilize EU-specific data.
Desertification is defined in the report as a specific form of land degradation occurring in dry areas, while broader land degradation can take place in various environments. The report indicates that land degradation is driven by both human activities and natural factors, leading to a long-term decline in the quality and productivity of land resources.
At the EU level, dry areas constitute about 15% of the total territory, which is approximately 611,000 square kilometers—an area roughly double the size of Italy. Of this, about 530,000 square kilometers are currently affected by desertification, representing around 12% of the EU's total land area and impacting an estimated 42 million people.
The report also highlights a troubling trend: an additional 1,004,608 square kilometers across the EU are classified as being at an increased risk of desertification based on future projections of the aridity index for the years 2021 to 2040. Many of these areas are located outside the currently recognized dry zones, indicating a potential expansion of desertification risks.
As climate change continues to pose challenges, the report warns that the risk of desertification is expected to rise. Factors contributing to this increase include anticipated reductions in rainfall, more frequent droughts, and rising temperatures in various regions. To evaluate future risks, the JRC's methodology incorporates a database of projections concerning the global aridity index and potential evapotranspiration.
In response to these findings, the JRC is in the process of developing a dedicated desertification data dashboard through the EU Soil Observatory. This tool aims to provide updated statistics and maps regarding land degradation and desertification across the EU, along with insights into their impacts on populations.
The implications of the JRC report are significant for Cyprus, where the effects of climate change and land degradation could have far-reaching consequences for agriculture, water resources, and overall environmental health. As the island grapples with these challenges, the need for effective strategies to combat desertification and enhance land management practices is more critical than ever.
The findings serve as a call to action for policymakers and stakeholders in Cyprus to prioritize sustainable land use and climate adaptation measures to mitigate the impacts of desertification and protect the livelihoods of those affected.