Newsroom
As prices continue to rise at the supermarket and electricity bills put pressure on family budgets, more people in Cyprus are finding it harder to make ends meet.
According to Kathimerini's Dorita Yiannakou, the latest Ktrends survey, carried out by IMR and the University of Nicosia, shows that inflation is eating into household spending power and many are worried the worst is yet to come.
“It is not about luxuries anymore,” one participant said. “We are choosing between basics, just to get through the month.”
Covering the period from January to February 2025, the survey found that families are spending more on basic needs and expect those costs to keep rising in the coming months.
Food spending keeps climbing
According to the survey, the average household now spends about 467 euros a month on groceries. That is up from 460 euros just a few months ago. But the real picture is even heavier. About one in three people said they are now spending more than 500 euros a month just to put food on the table.
Looking ahead, consumers expect their monthly grocery bill to rise to around 528 euros. That figure is based on what people said they believe they will need to spend in the next three months. Clothing and shoe expenses are also rising, with most people saying they spend up to 200 euros a month in this category.
Electricity remains a major worry
Beyond food, electricity costs remain one of the biggest concerns for Cypriot households. About 65 percent of survey participants said their electricity bill is a major source of stress. Many said they have already reduced their consumption in an effort to manage rising costs.
A large share of the public blames previous governments for the lack of investment in renewable energy, which they believe has led to today’s high prices. Others point to mismanagement at the Electricity Authority of Cyprus.
As energy bills go up, about a third of households said they have cut back on electricity use to some extent.
Pessimism about the economy
Many people are not optimistic about what lies ahead. Nearly half of those surveyed said they believe the economy will get worse over the next three months. Only a small number said they expect any improvement.
Supermarket prices and utility bills are the biggest everyday concerns. Seventy five percent of respondents said the cost of groceries is one of the main issues they face, followed by electricity. Others mentioned the wider economy as a growing worry.
No room to breathe
The survey shows that households are running out of room to adjust. People are already cutting back on food and energy, with little left to trim.
“It is not about luxuries anymore,” one participant said. “We are choosing between basics, just to get through the month.”
As inflation continues to chip away at income and confidence, more people are wondering how long they can hold on.
