**Cyprus Unemployment Rate Increases in August, Driven by Public Sector and Education Sectors**
Cyprus experienced a notable rise in unemployment in August 2026, according to data released by the statistical service, Cystat, on Thursday. The registered unemployed population increased by 7.2% compared to the same month last year, with the total number of unemployed individuals reaching 12,385. This figure marks an increase from 11,556 in August 2025.
The rise in unemployment was primarily attributed to sectors such as public administration, education, administrative and support services, and information and communication. The data revealed that the number of registered unemployed persons rose by 657 from July 2026, when the total was recorded at 11,728.
Public administration and education sectors were significant contributors to this increase, accounting for 470 of the new registrations in August. Specifically, the number of unemployed in public administration and defense rose to 3,455, up from 3,214 in August 2025 and 3,193 in July 2026. The education sector also saw an increase, with 1,939 registered unemployed, compared to 1,818 in the same month last year and 1,731 in July.
In addition to public administration and education, other sectors also reported increases in unemployment. The wholesale and retail trade sector accounted for 1,404 registered unemployed, up from 1,363 in August 2025 and 1,355 in July. The professional, scientific, and technical activities sector reported 879 unemployed individuals, an increase from 792 a year earlier and 847 in the previous month.
The accommodation and food service activities sector also saw a rise, with 841 registered unemployed, compared to 798 in August 2025, although this was a decrease from the 889 recorded in July. The information and communication sector experienced a significant annual increase, with 544 registered unemployed compared to 451 a year earlier and 512 in July.
Manufacturing registered 485 unemployed individuals, up from 433 in August 2025 and 466 in July. Administrative and support service activities saw an increase to 438, up from 340 a year earlier, while the financial and insurance activities sector recorded 397 unemployed, an increase from 372 in August 2025.
Conversely, the construction sector reported a decrease in registered unemployed, falling to 377 from 408 a year earlier, although it slightly increased from 369 in July. The human health and social work activities sector saw an increase to 372 unemployed individuals, up from 348 in August 2025 and 311 in July.
Transportation and storage recorded 316 unemployed persons, an increase from 296 a year earlier and 310 in the previous month. Other service activities also rose, with 248 registered unemployed compared to 219 in August 2025 and 236 in July.
Despite the overall increase in unemployment, the number of newcomers registering as unemployed fell to 259, down from 290 a year earlier, although it increased from 234 in July. The arts, entertainment, and recreation sector accounted for 212 registered unemployed, slightly up from 208 in August 2025 but down from 224 in July.
Real estate activities saw an increase in registered unemployed, rising to 123 from 97 a year earlier and 121 in July. The agriculture, forestry, and fishing sector recorded 51 unemployed individuals, a slight increase from 49 in August 2025 and 53 in July.
In terms of other sectors, activities of households recorded 12 unemployed persons, down from 15 a year earlier and 14 in July. Water supply, sewerage, and waste management recorded 11 registered unemployed, a decrease from 21 in August 2025 and an increase from 10 in July. The activities of extra-territorial organizations and bodies also accounted for 11 registered unemployed, up from nine both a year earlier and in July.
Lastly, the mining and quarrying sector recorded 6 registered unemployed, down from 9 in August 2025 and 8 in July, while the electricity, gas, steam, and air conditioning supply sector accounted for 5, compared to 6 a year earlier and 2 in July.
The seasonally adjusted unemployment figure, which provides a clearer view of the labor market trends, also increased to 10,671 in August from a revised 10,563 in July. This represents the highest seasonally adjusted total since August 2024, when it was recorded at 10,752. The figure has shown fluctuations throughout the year, starting at 10,086 in January and gradually rising before the recent increase in August.
As Cyprus navigates these changes in its labor market, the government and relevant authorities will likely monitor these trends closely to implement measures aimed at addressing the rising unemployment rates, particularly in the public sector and education.