Filenews 9 March 2024 - by Andreas Pibishis
The cost of living is currently the number one problem that Cypriots have to face, while considering that the situation is not only not improving, but on the contrary is getting worse. Inflation and prices are in the red, with immigration following as the second most important issue. The only problem where there is a partial improvement in the situation is unemployment.
Weighing the problems that, in their view, Cyprus is facing today – according to the survey by Pulse Market Research on behalf of "Phileleftheros" – high prices and inflation remain the number one issue, at 43%, while estimating that the situation is worse today than in the past. 85% think the situation is worse today with only a tiny percentage seeing things have improved.
The second most important issue, immigration and the presence of foreigners in Cyprus, is according to 35%, the second most important problem, with an insignificant drop from a previous survey by Pulse Market Research last June which was at 36%. The general estimate is that the migration situation is currently worse, at 68%. There are also 19% who believe there has been an improvement.
Corruption and collusion are ranked as the number 3 problem of the country, at 34%. It's an issue that 61% believe things have gotten worse than before.
The functioning of institutions, cronyism and cronyism are, along with the economy, the next two issues recorded by citizens themselves as important, at a rate of 20%. Comparing the current state of affairs with the past, Cypriots consider that bureaucracy has worsened by 51%, while 41% say there has been no differentiation.
The Cyprus problem comes much lower, and is placed in 6thplace (19%), according to the answers given in the survey, where citizens had to say which two they consider the most important problems facing the country. Education and health come well below with rates of 10% and 7% respectively.
The issue of crime is low with 6%, despite the fact that one of the five issues where the situation is estimated to be worse than in the past (61%). As with violence in stadiums, with 59% saying things have gotten worse today.
Unemployment is another real problem despite the fact that it has a rate of 3%. In this case, the survey showed that one in four Cypriots (27%) believe that the situation is better than in the past. With 29% seeing it getting worse.
Also included in the list of problems was tension in the Middle East (3%), which in the past was not recorded in opinion polls. While for the environment concern is low with 1% considering it a major issue.
Regarding the state of affairs in the country, the management of energy resources remains as it was (45%) with 36% seeing things worse and 19% better.
SURVEY IDENTITY
Sample Size: 600 Successful Interviews
Sample Geographical Coverage: Pancyprian, Urban and Rural Areas
Sampling: Random-stratified Multi-gradual
Information Collection: Computer Aided Telephone Interviews (CATI))
Interviewee: Persons aged 18 and over
Information Collection: 20/02/2024 – 26/02/2024
Weightings: The sample was rimweighted ex-post with constraints on demographic parameters and the results of the 2021 parliamentary elections
