Filenews 11 December 2024
What does Cyprus gain and lose as a result of the overthrow of the Assad regime? If and when all Syrians ranging between 12,000-14,000 are repatriated or at least several thousand make their way back, several million euros will be saved which is being spent on benefits, from rent to electricity. It is worth mentioning that for all asylum seekers (not only Syrians) the costs are around €31 million annually, while in previous years they reached up to €35 million.
It is recalled that based on data submitted to Parliament last year, the situation with benefits (for all applicants and not only for Syrians) was presented as follows: In 2019, €10.9 million was spent for 4.374 households, €25.5 million was spent for 6.273 households, €34.9 million was spent for 8.131 households, €33 million was spent for 2022 for 7.990 households. and for this year (until July) for 6,606 households €19.5 million were allocated
A second differentiation that may prove positive is the evacuation of hundreds if not thousands of houses, apartments and general premises in which thousands of Syrians live, taking into account the number of households subsidized.
However, some negative side effects have to be added to the equation. These – and provided that the returns will be massive – must also take into account the reduction of the workforce, whether in the construction sector or in other sectors.
It is noted that Syrians constitute the largest presence of third-country nationals in Cyprus after the United Kingdom (27.986) and Russia 16.412 with their number reaching 11.995, as shown from the last census and as updated on August 9, 2024.
It is also noted that on October 1, 2021, the data were revised and based on them, 13.096 resided in Cyprus and the data were updated last August.
As of October 1, of the 13,096 Syrians, 8,470 were men and 4,626 women. These numbers show the mismatch that existed and exists between men and women arriving in Cyprus.
That's what the numbers say about men and women
There were 3,148 Syrians living in Nicosia (2,104 men and 1,314 women). In Famagusta district lived 72 Syrians (57 men and 15 women). There were 553 Syrians living in Larnaka (349 men and 204 women). There were 4,860 Syrians living in Limassol (3,530 men and 1,330 women). Finally, 4,193 Syrians lived in Pafos (2,430 men and 1,763 women).
Based on a census concerning where citizens live (urban or rural areas), the data show that during the census in Cyprus there were 11,995. Of these, 9,961 live in urban areas and 2,034 in rural areas. 3,192 Syrians live in Nicosia district (2,604 in urban areas, while 588 live in rural areas). In Famagusta district, only 76 Syrians have been registered, all in rural areas. In Larnaka district live 634 Syrians (461 in urban areas and 173 in rural areas. There are 4,608 Syrians living in the Limassol district (3,946 in urban areas and 662 in rural areas). There are 3,485 Syrians living in the Pafos district (2,950 in urban areas and 535 in rural areas).
It is noted that the number of Syrian men living in Cyprus amounts to 8,080 compared to 3,915 women.
Of the men, 6,725 live in urban areas and 1,355 in rural areas.
There are 2,052 men living in the Nicosia district (1,673 in the urban area and 379 in rural areas). In Famagusta district live 61 men, all in rural areas. In Larnaca district live 419 Syrian men (304 in urban areas and 115 in rural areas). In Limassol live 3,444 men from Syria (2,957 in urban areas and 487 in rural. In Paphos live 2,104 men of which 1,791 in urban areas and 313 in rural. Regarding the 3,915 Syrian women living in Cyprus, 3,326 live in urban areas and 679 in rural areas. 1,140 women live in Nicosia district (931 in urban areas and 209 in rural areas). Famagusta lives 15 women, all in rural areas. There are 215 women living in Larnaca district (157 in urban areas and 58 in rural areas). There are 1,164 women living in Limassol (989 in urban areas and 175 in rural areas). Finally, 1,381 Syrian women live in Paphos, of which 1,159 are in urban areas and 222 in rural areas
