Heat-related deaths and hospital admissions are rising in Cyprus, placing the island on a list of global hotspots highly vulnerable to the health and economic impacts of climate change, according to data highlighted by a new World Health Organisation (WHO)-backed report.
Admissions to state hospitals for heart problems rise by around 0.17% and for respiratory conditions by about 0.23% during the year’s hottest days, domestic data shows. This trend is reflected in the mortality figures: 45 heatstroke deaths were recorded between 2004 and 2021, a number that has already risen to over 50 by the end of this summer.
Prolonged drought, low water reserves, and financial losses from extreme weather, combined with air pollution and Saharan dust that worsen respiratory conditions, make the island highly susceptible to climate change, according to national and European data.
The findings align with a new report from the WHO. The organisation recently published the 2025 Lancet Countdown report on Health and Climate Change, which found that 12 of the 20 key indicators tracking climate-related health threats globally have reached record levels, demonstrating that climate inaction is costing lives, burdening health systems, and undermining economies.
Global and local impacts
Globally, the Lancet Countdown report found that heat-related mortality has increased by 23% since the 1990s, reaching an average of 546,000 deaths annually.
The report also noted significant economic pressure:
- Heat-related deaths: The cost of heat-related deaths among older people reached $261 billion.
- Lost productivity: Heat exposure caused the loss of 640 billion work hours in 2024, resulting in productivity losses totalling $1.09 trillion.
- Food security: Droughts and heatwaves correlated with 124 million additional people facing moderate or severe food insecurity in 2023.
Cyprus is also recognised by the report as an area facing reduced water reserves. Furthermore, the island has a value of 0.0026 on the “Sea-Level Rise – Population Exposure” index, meaning approximately one in 400 residents (0.26%) live in coastal areas vulnerable to rising sea levels, which could lead to erosion and saltwater contamination of groundwater.
Official data from national and European authorities support the report’s warnings about the island’s vulnerability:
- Wildfires: From 2017 to 2025, wildfires burned an area equivalent to the distance from Nicosia to Paphos (191km) and beyond. The resulting psychological pressure from fire-related insecurity and loss of homes increases rates of mental health disorders.
- Air pollution: Data from the European Environment Agency (EEA, 2024) shows that concentrations of particulate matter (PM₂.₅ and PM₁₀) and ozone (O₃) are rising, especially in urban areas. The EEA warns these pollutants link to respiratory and cardiovascular problems and increased risk of premature deaths.
- Economic cost: The island’s exposure to extreme weather has cost an estimated €441 million in economic damage between 1980 and 2023, according to the EEA. This financial burden, which averages over €10 million in annual losses, primarily affects agriculture, infrastructure, and businesses. The impact is immediate: the Labour Inspection Department issued over 25 work-stoppage announcements in 2024 and 2025 alone due to extreme heat or atmospheric dust.
- Water scarcity: Cyprus is one of Europe’s most arid regions and faces chronic water shortages. The country’s Water Exploitation Index (WEI+) is around 71%, a figure the UN classifies as severe water scarcity (above 40%).
The WHO warned that immediate action is necessary.
Dr Jeremy Farrar, Assistant Director-General for Health Promotion, Prevention and Care of Diseases at the WHO, said: “The climate crisis is a health crisis. Every fraction of a degree of warming costs lives and livelihoods.”
He added that the report, produced with the WHO as a strategic partner, makes it clear that climate inaction is killing people now in all countries. “However, climate action is also the biggest health opportunity of our time. Cleaner air, healthier diets and resilient health systems can save millions of lives now and protect current and future generations.”
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