Newsroom
Cyprus is facing ongoing labor shortages across critical sectors, with acute gaps in professional drivers and nursing staff threatening service quality for both residents and tourists.
According to Kathimerini's Dorita Yiannakou, the transport industry reports a need for more than 300 drivers to meet rising demand, driven by a tourism surge that recently topped one million visitors. Officials cite inflexible and lengthy licensing processes as a key barrier to recruiting qualified drivers, particularly from abroad. Compounding the problem, delivery services are also short-staffed, as foreign workers face restrictions using international licenses.
Meanwhile, the booming healthcare sector is straining under a lack of nurses. At least 500 are needed in the private sector alone, a figure that has doubled since 2022, according to data obtained by Kathimerini. Several new hospitals in Limassol and Nicosia are expected to deepen the shortage. Language requirements and reliance on Greek nationals limit the pool of eligible candidates.
Despite the staffing challenges, the broader labor market in Cyprus is showing positive signs. Employment rose 4.3% over the past two years, reaching 79.8% in 2024, while unemployment dropped to 4.9%, the lowest level since 2009. Youth employment is also at a record high of 87%, with youth joblessness at just 7.4%, below the EU average.
