While public discourse is consumed by social media spectacles and gossip, 167,000 people in Cyprus are unsure if they will be able to afford food tomorrow.
Latest European Statistical Service (Eurostat) figures reveal that 17.1% of the population—nearly one in five people—is living below the poverty line. These numbers represent 167,000 lives defined by daily anxiety, stress, and hardship, yet much of society remains distracted by superficial headlines.
The situation is particularly dire for the elderly. One in three pensioners is at risk of poverty, forced to count every cent to afford basic necessities after a lifetime of work and contributions.
Eurostat data further shows that for those over 75, the crisis exceeds the limits of social endurance. Nearly 50% of people in this age group live in fear of poverty. In a country that boasts of economic growth and strong financial indicators, many elderly citizens are being forced to choose between food and heating.
Political promises vs reality
With parliamentary elections three weeks away, 20 parties and hundreds of candidates are making familiar promises that “no one will be left behind.” However, 167,000 people have already been left behind.
This is not a fleeting issue. Statistics show the problem is entrenched and, in some cases, worsening. In 2025, the number of people living on or below the poverty line increased by 3,000.
The state and society appear to have grown accustomed to these figures, treating poverty as a normal byproduct of the system rather than a central political priority.
A question of dignity
Poverty is more than an economic indicator; it is a matter of dignity and justice. A state that accepts its elderly living on the margins has lost its sense of humanity.
The question remains why, in a society where 167,000 people are at risk, the public debate focuses on everything but this crisis.
As elections approach, voters must recognise that a ballot is not a social media “like” or an angry comment. It is a choice about the type of state Cyprus should be—one that tolerates elderly citizens living on crumbs, or one that demands dignity for all. These 167,000 people are a mirror of society, and currently, it is a mirror society cannot bear to look at.
