In August, there was a significant annual growth of the unemployed. According to the Cyprus Statistical Service (Cystat) published on Thursday, the number of registered unemployed in Cyprus in August increased by 69.2% compared to August 2019. This is due to the fact that most businesses associated with the tourism industry have remained closed.

Based on statistics, the number of registered unemployed in August 2020 increased to 34,996 from 33,815 registered in July. And in comparison with August 2019 there was an increase in the number of unemployed by 13 766 people, which is 69.2%.

Most hotels across the island were closed in August due to the limited flow of tourists. Therefore, last summer thousands of seasonal employees were out of work.

According to the service, this year the number of unemployed in accommodation and catering increased by 6022 people compared to last year.

In the trade sector the growth made up 2117 people, 889 unemployed people were added in the sphere of transport, 659 people were registered in the sphere of auxiliary services and 623 – in the sphere of professional, scientific and technical activity.

The statistical service warned that this year’s data may not be fully reliable, as emergency measures were taken because of the coronavirus pandemic outbreak.

The total unemployment rate in Cyprus was 6.8% in August 2020.
And experts predict that unemployment will rise to 10% or higher after government support for businesses ends in the coming months.