Fewer children at risk, but challenges remain

The number of children at risk of poverty or social exclusion in Cyprus has declined in recent years, even as key social indicators continue to reveal significant inequalities, according to the European Commission.

Available data show that the number of children at risk fell from around 37,000 in 2019 to 26,000 in 2024, a development attributed to social policy interventions.

EU target met, but ambition questioned

According to a European Commission staff working document entitled “Breaking the cycle of child poverty — strengthening the European Child Guarantee”, published following Wednesday’s College of Commissioners, Cyprus has met its national target. However, the document notes that the target “is considered low ambition”, suggesting scope for stronger measures.

Energy and housing poverty at critical levels

The situation regarding housing and energy poverty remains particularly serious. Some 62.6% of children at risk live in households unable to keep their home adequately warm, the highest rate in the European Union.

At the same time, “the gap between children at risk of poverty and the rest reaches 55.1%,” underlining deep social inequalities.

Education gaps persist

In education, the early school leaving rate remains above the EU average, standing at 11.3% compared with the EU rate of 9.3%.

Despite targeted interventions, the Commission notes that “challenges in retaining pupils within the education system persist.”

Early childhood education largely privatised

Participation in early childhood education has increased, mainly through subsidised programmes. However, the system remains almost entirely privatised, with “only 2.6% of facilities” being public.

Although access gaps between children at risk of poverty and their peers are narrowing, they have not yet been eliminated.

Unequal access to services

Significant disparities in access to basic services have also been identified. In some cases, differences in participation in childcare services exceed 20%, affecting equality of opportunity from an early age.

In health, no extreme outcomes were recorded, although the document highlights “structural difficulties in access, particularly to mental health services for vulnerable groups.”

Data gaps hinder policymaking

The Commission also underlines the need to strengthen the evidence base used in policymaking, warning that “limited availability of data on specific vulnerable groups hampers the monitoring and evaluation of measures.”

This limitation is identified as a key obstacle to designing effective and targeted interventions.

Source: CNA

Child Poverty Declines in Cyprus but Inequalities Persist, EU Commission Finds