One in Four Working Cypriots Cannot Afford a Vacation
Cyprus ranks as an EU member state with the second-highest percentage of workers unable to afford a vacation in 2022, according to a study conducted by Eurostat for the European Trade Union Confederation (ETUC).
The research indicates that in 2022, 39.7 million workers (15%) were unable to afford a week-long vacation away from home, whether domestically or abroad. This is a rise from 37.6 million workers (14%) in 2021.
Overall, the number of workers unable to afford a week-long vacation has increased by over two million across the EU.
According to the ETUC, in 2022, the countries with the highest percentages of workers who could not afford a vacation were Romania (35.8%), Cyprus (24.9%), and Greece (24.8%).
The situation in Romania may have improved since then, as the government subsequently raised the minimum wage by 23% and enhanced workers' rights to negotiate for higher wages.
The study's authors warn that 2023 could be even worse due to record-high vacation costs last summer combined with a decline in real wages across the EU due to inflation.
- "Vacation is not a luxury; time away from the usual environment is essential for maintaining both physical and mental health, as well as providing valuable experiences for children," said ETUC General Secretary Esther Lynch.
You may also be interested in:
- "Divided Island" – A Film About Cyprus Released in the UK
- Cyprus to Allocate €9 Million for Clergy Salaries in 2025
- A Student at a Cypriot School Gave Away 15,000 Euros to Classmates
- Woman Lived Illegally in Cyprus for Eight Years: Worked at an Ice Cream Café in Paphos
- Cyprus Court Awards Record €2.5 Million for Medical Negligence