Sixty percent of young Cypriots identify finding employment as their biggest challenge, according to the latest Youth Barometer survey released Wednesday.
The sixth annual Youth Barometer, conducted by the University of Nicosia’s IMR organisation for the Cyprus Youth Organisation (ONEK), reveals widespread economic concerns alongside significant institutional distrust among the island’s youth.
Beyond employment worries, young people expressed serious concerns about career prospects (37%), financial problems (27%), the country’s future (25%) and family formation (21%). Other significant issues included education (18%), cost of living (17%), job retention (16%) and housing (14%).
Housing issues topped the severity rankings with 8.67 out of 10 points, while finding work with good prospects scored 8.35 points and finding any employment scored 7.89 points.
Half of respondents (50%) reported managing financially, while 29% live comfortably. However, 18% face difficulties and 3% struggle significantly. Compared to last year, 53% said their employment situation remained unchanged, 38% reported improvement (down from 41% in the previous survey), and 9% experienced deterioration.
Institutional distrust, civic participation
Young Cypriots expressed profound distrust in key institutions, with political parties receiving just 3.26 out of 10 points. The media (3.84), government (3.97) and parliament (4.0) also ranked poorly. Courts (4.81), local government (4.88), police (4.92) and the Auditor General (5.05) fared slightly better.
Political apathy was evident with 57% expressing aversion to politics – 31% showed little interest, 26% none at all, 27% moderate interest, and 16% high interest.
Corruption emerged as a major concern, scoring 8.68 out of 10, followed by meritocracy issues (8.5), lack of youth in high positions (7.87), brain drain (7.78) and radicalisation (7.17).
While 63% expressed optimism about their personal futures (18% very optimistic, 45% moderately), 74% were pessimistic about prospects for future generations – 31% not at all optimistic, 43% slightly, 21% moderately, and 5% very optimistic.
The survey also highlighted low civic participation, with only 35% engaged in voluntary organisations, 31% in sports teams, 20% in professional associations, 14% in youth organisations, 14% in cultural clubs, and just 10% in political parties.
“Professional establishment and economic uncertainty remain central concerns for young people,” said ONEK Board Chairwoman Konstantina Achilleos at the press conference. “The Youth Barometer is a valuable tool that allows us to listen to the concerns, perceptions and priorities of youth.”
Technology, AI use
Regarding technology, 96% of respondents were familiar with artificial intelligence tools. Half (50%) reported feeling both excitement and concern about AI, while 24% felt more concern and 26% more enthusiasm. Most (79%) stated a need for further guidance on proper AI use and application.
Chat GPT was the most widely used AI tool (72%), followed by Google Translate (60%), Siri (27%), Canva (17%), Grammarly (13%), Copilot (12%) and Alexa (11%).
Survey details
The December 2024 survey sampled 1,000 randomly selected Cypriots aged 14-35.
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