Cyprus ranks 56th globally out of 167 countries and last in the European Union, according to the Sustainable Development Solutions Network (SDSN) 2025 Sustainability Report 2025. Despite a slight improvement in its overall score (73.8 versus 72.9 in 2024), the country remains lagging behind in the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Double disappointment for Cyprus
In the European Sustainable Development Report 2025 (ESDR), Cyprus was ranked 32nd out of 34 countries with a score of 62.7. Despite differences in methodology, both reports demonstrate serious structural weaknesses in achieving the SDGs.
Problematic indicators
SDR highlights negative performance in areas such as:
- Excessive nitrogen use in agriculture (SDG 2)
- Low representation of women in parliament (SDG 5)
- High water consumption through imports (SDG 6)
- Low RES penetration (SDG 7)
- Fatal accidents at work in imports (SDG 8)
- Low investment in R&D (SDG 9)
- High inequality (SDG 10)
- Limited recycling and exports of plastics (SDG 12)
- High CO₂ emissions (SDG 13)
- Overfishing and limited protected areas (SDGs 14 & 15)
- Press freedom issues and arms exports (SDG 16)
- Low development aid and tax transparency (SDG 17).
Mitigating factors and national priorities
Part of the low performance is attributed to peculiarities of Cyprus, such as the divided status that affects the protection of wildlife, but also the climate challenges due to geography. However, SDSN Cyprus stresses that targeted policy action is needed to:
- Climate Action (SDG 13)
- Responsible Consumption and Production (SDG 12)
- Protection of Water Resources and the Marine Environment (SDG 14).
Small victories and room for optimism
Despite the difficulties, Cyprus performs positively in Zero Poverty (SDG 1) and Quality Education (SDG 4), while it records progress in Reducing Inequalities (SDG 10).
SDSN Cyprus continues to work with the state, the private sector and civil society to integrate the SDGs into everyday life, with a focus on education, awareness raising and youth.
