Filenews 14 December 2025 - by Christakis Efstathiou
The grandiose "Plan of the Holy Archdiocese of Cyprus to Address the Low Birth Rate" has already been implemented and is progressing satisfactorily, according to the first indications. It is certainly a venture on the part of the Church, which was undertaken and personally promoted by His Beatitude Archbishop George himself, who saw in its correct dimensions and sizes another great problem, after the national one, and which is evolving as a great scourge that threatens the extinction of the Greek Orthodox element in Cyprus. The scope of the Plan and the whole project is also shown by the elements that characterize it.
Characteristically, it is noted that in 2039 the annual expenditure will amount to €9.1 million, while the total expenditure by then will exceed €71 million. The ambition to further strengthen and improve the Plan is also considered important, depending of course on the financial data and capabilities that will arise.
The nightmarish dimensions of the demographic problem, as confirmed by the official data, leave no room for complacency and downgrading of a reality that cries out so deafeningly... The data is so clear. With the fertility rate steadily moving well below the replacement threshold (around 1.4), the population appears to be increasingly aged, with a serious threat to the viability of the social system, economic growth, and most importantly our very national existence.
Therefore, in the face of data that clearly reveal that the Orthodox Greek element in Cyprus is seriously threatened by the ongoing demographic alteration in the occupied territories, as a consequence of the occupation, but also in the free areas, due to the mass arrival of people from countries outside the European Union, the Church of Cyprus and His Beatitude personally felt that it was a great duty to activate mechanisms to reverse the unfavourable demographic data, especially those concerning the presence of the Orthodox Greek element and, by extension, the very character of the island.
Support for large families
The announcement of the implementation of such a Plan for the support of large families, with a special focus on the third child and above, essentially acts as a barrier to the uncontrollable course of the low birth rate, which is galloping. The Church's movement is not limited to a mere act of charity, but can be seen in a broader and long-term horizon. It is a bold gesture that indicates responsibility and national consciousness, as it has done in every difficult historical moment. It underlines in the most emphatic way the criticality of the situation, at a time when the country is simultaneously facing the continuing consequences of the Turkish occupation and the migration crisis, which is in any case taking on uncontrollable proportions, threatening with a complete alteration of our demographic composition.
This intervention is at the same time a direct challenge to other bodies and especially to the State to address and face the problem in its serious dimensions. It serves as a wake-up call for everyone to take their share of responsibility in the face of the magnitude of this great threat. Any measures taken today urgently need immediate strengthening, expansion and inclusion in an integrated National Strategy. From this point of view, the Church is taking an important step, in the context of its responsibility and debt for the future of the country.
The provisions of the Plan
The announcement of the Plan by His Beatitude Archbishop George II of Cyprus himself gave the opportunity to make public both its characteristics and the detailed elements that govern it. It is a long-term, ambitious plan with strong sustainability characteristics, since it is based on studies and data that make up the framework of its severity and its positive effects.
- Eligible child: a person who has a date of birth after January 1, 2025 (therefore it has retroactive effect), from beneficiary parents and is, in order of birth, the third or more child in the family.
- Eligible parents: parents at least one of whom holds Cypriot citizenship and has been married in an Orthodox Christian marriage in an Orthodox church.
- Guardian: a person who will have parental responsibility over the beneficiary.
- Non-eligible parents: parents who do not both hold the Cypriot identity and have not been married in an Orthodox Christian marriage in an Orthodox church.
In order for a child to become a beneficiary, the parents/guardians must submit the relevant application through the electronic platform and have been approved.
- At least one of the two parents must hold an identity card of the Republic of Cyprus (a copy is required to be attached to the application).
- One of the two parents must be an Orthodox Christian (a baptismal certificate is required).
- The family must have a permanent place of residence in Cyprus (a copy of a recent bill is required).
- The parents must have been married in an ecclesiastical ceremony in an Orthodox church.
- To have given birth to at least three children.
The support of beneficiaries
Based on the studies of the experts who prepared the Program, in order for the Plan to be sustainable and long-term, the following were proposed and are being implemented regarding the support of each beneficiary child:
- €1,500 at the baptism.
- €1,000 when enrolling in primary school.
- €1,000 when enrolling in high school.
- €1,000 when enrolling in high school.
- In addition, until the child reaches adulthood (18 years old) he will receive €100 in vouchers every Christmas and another €100 every Easter.
- Retroactive effect was provided for those children born from 1.1.2025.
His Beatitude's personal ambition is that these amounts be strengthened along the way to the extent that the financial capabilities of the Holy Archdiocese will allow it.
THE PLAN IN NUMBERS
>2025-2029: During this period, the Holy Archdiocese, which is responsible for the implementation of the Plan, will be able to allocate amounts starting from €1.8 million up to €2.8 million per year.
>After 2029: A proportional increase in annual expenditure is expected according to the number of eligible children.
>Indicatively, in 2039: The annual expenditure for the implementation of the Plan is projected to exceed €71 million.
