**Cyprus Job Vacancies Rise in First Quarter as Labour Demand Remains Firm**
Cyprus has reported a significant increase in job vacancies during the first quarter of 2026, with a total of 13,905 openings recorded. This figure translates to a job vacancy rate of 2.8 percent, as released by the Statistical Service of Cyprus (Cystat). The data indicates a robust demand for workers across various sectors, particularly in services, construction, and tourism-related activities.
The highest job vacancy rates were observed in the arts, sports, and recreation sector, which reached 5.1 percent. This was followed closely by the construction sector, with a vacancy rate of 4.7 percent, and accommodation and food service activities, which recorded a rate of 4 percent. These sectors are indicative of the ongoing recovery and growth in Cyprus's economy, particularly as it rebounds from the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic.
In terms of the actual number of vacancies, the wholesale and retail trade sector accounted for the largest share, with 2,649 job openings. The accommodation and food service sector followed with 2,189 vacancies, reflecting the continued strength of the tourism industry. The construction sector also made a notable contribution with 1,997 vacancies, highlighting its importance in the overall labour market.
Other sectors with significant vacancies included professional, scientific, and technical activities, which reported 1,086 openings. Public administration and defence, including compulsory social security, had 922 vacancies, while the manufacturing sector recorded 905 openings. Administrative and support service activities reached 668 vacancies, and the education sector posted 589 vacancies.
Transportation and storage reported 567 openings, while arts, sports, and recreation had 547 vacancies. The telecommunications, computer programming, consulting, and computing infrastructure sectors collectively accounted for 530 job vacancies, with a job vacancy rate of 2.4 percent. Human health and social work activities recorded 416 vacancies, while other service activities had 297 openings. The financial and insurance sector reported 225 vacancies, which is among the lowest vacancy rates at 0.9 percent.
Smaller sectors also contributed to the overall job market, with water supply, sewerage, waste management, and remediation activities recording 48 vacancies. The electricity, gas, steam, and air conditioning supply sector reported 34 vacancies, while mining and quarrying had just 3 openings.
In terms of job vacancy rates, after arts, sports, and recreation, the construction and accommodation and food service sectors had notable rates of 4.7 percent and 4 percent, respectively. The wholesale and retail trade sector followed with a vacancy rate of 3.5 percent, while administrative and support service activities stood at 3 percent. Public administration and defence recorded a rate of 2.7 percent, with transportation and storage at 2.5 percent.
Professional, scientific, and technical activities, along with telecommunications-related activities, each had a vacancy rate of 2.4 percent. The manufacturing sector reported a rate of 2.3 percent, while both electricity supply and publishing-related activities stood at 1.8 percent. Real estate activities, human health and social work activities, and other service activities each recorded a vacancy rate of 1.6 percent, with education at 1.5 percent.
The data provided by Cystat defines a job vacancy as a paid post that is newly created, unoccupied, or about to become vacant, where the employer is actively seeking a suitable candidate from outside the enterprise. The job vacancy rate is calculated as the number of job vacancies expressed as a percentage of the total number of occupied posts and job vacancies.
Overall, the rise in job vacancies in Cyprus during the first quarter of 2026 reflects a positive trend in the labour market, indicating sustained demand for workers across various sectors. As the economy continues to recover, these figures may suggest further growth and opportunities for employment in the near future.