by Dorita Yiannakou and Panayiotis Rougalas
Cypriot households are showing cautious optimism about the economy, though rising supermarket prices and electricity bills remain their biggest worries, according to a new Ktrends survey by Kathimerini and PwC.
The poll of 800 people found 72% cited grocery costs as their main concern and 61% pointed to electricity bills. Rent or mortgage payments troubled 52%. Inflation and the overall economy continue to dominate anxieties, with 63% and 51% respectively naming them as top issues.
Still, consumer confidence appears to be stabilizing. Eleven percent said they are coping better with daily needs than earlier this year, while 55% said their situation is unchanged. Spending on food has risen to an average €483 per month, up 10% from last year, while clothing and footwear purchases declined.
On government policy, 46% rated President Nikos Christodoulides’ economic handling negatively and 44% positively. Trust in banks remains low overall but is higher among younger people. Half of Cypriots manage to save, an improvement from earlier this year, while 37% said they cut down on outings due to fuel costs.
The survey also found businesses expect stable employment levels, though 7% foresee layoffs. Among institutions, the police enjoy the most public trust, while political parties remain at the bottom.
This article was translated and summarized from its Greek original.
