Cyprus leads the way in EU internet accessibility

Recent statistics shared by Eurostat, the statistical service of the EU, highlight Cyprus as one of the countries with the lowest percentage of people unable to afford an internet connection in the EU.

In 2022, only 0.5% of Cyprus' population faced challenges in affording internet access. Among people at risk of poverty, the percentage was slightly higher but remained impressively low at 1.5%. These figures showed a slight increase compared to 2021 for the general population (from 0.4%) but a decline for those at risk of poverty (from 1.7%).

In contrast, the EU faced a higher overall percentage, with 2.4% of the general population unable to afford internet access. Moreover, the share among people at risk of poverty was considerably higher at 7.6%.

Comparing the data with the previous year, the EU showed improvement, with a decrease of 0.3 percentage points (2.7%) for the general population and a decrease of 0.8 percentage points (8.4%) for those at risk of poverty.

The disparities in internet accessibility between the total and at-risk-of-poverty populations were evident across EU countries.

Romania had the highest share of people at risk of poverty unable to afford internet access, reaching 25.0%, followed by Bulgaria (20.5%), and Hungary (16.5%). Conversely, countries with the lowest shares were Denmark and Finland (both 1.0%), with Cyprus and Luxembourg close behind (both 1.5%).

The data highlights the positive strides Cyprus has made in ensuring internet accessibility for its population, even among those at risk of poverty, standing as a model of success within the EU.