The percentage of people at risk of poverty or social exclusion has remained stable at around 17 per cent for the past four years, which the national network against poverty believes is a serious concern as “we have entered the era of the working poor”.

According to the network, poverty has a gender and age, with women – particularly single parents – being at high risk of poverty, in addition to individuals over the age of 65.

Chairwoman of the network Eleni Karaoli told the Cyprus News Agency that it was necessary to have a national strategy against poverty, with the mandate of “joining all the pieces of the puzzle” and giving holistic solutions.

She expressed hope that a European strategy to address poverty would be announced during Cyprus’ EU presidency, which she placed “possibly in May”. On June 4 and 5, in the framework of the presidency, the network will host a conference for people experiencing poverty and social exclusion.

On Monday, the Cyprus Statistical Service published figures indicating that approximately 167,000 people or 17.1 per cent in Cyprus remained at risk of poverty or social exclusion in 2025, compared to 17.5 per cent in 2022, 17.4 per cent in 2023 and 17.1 per cent in 2024.

“We should be concerned” that the percentage is not dropping, given that it is reported that the economy is doing well, Karaoli said.

Karaoli added that there were more women at risk of poverty or social exclusion than men, as well as single parents and individuals living alone or in retirement homes, while the group facing the greatest danger was women over the age of 65. In their overwhelming majority, single parents are women, Karaoli pointed out.

She said immigrants were also facing problems, as “eight could be living together in a miserable apartment”.

“We have entered an era of what we call ‘working poor’. We are in a situation where both adults in a household could be working or their children as well and still find it hard to meet their immediate needs,” Karaoli said.

Despite the fact that inflation has stabilised, prices have not dropped, she said, adding the increasing prices of energy and fuel were being passed on to food and services.

Housing, she added, was also not affordable, especially for young people.

Karaoli said programmes and plans were not accessible to people living in poverty, such as photovoltaics or housing, as they first had to pay for the systems and then claim the money back from the state.

In Europe, she said, governments gave out vouchers to beneficiaries and then paid the companies themselves.

Explaining what families in poverty were experiencing, Karaoli said that for a start it was hard for them to admit to it. Most people were worried how to make ends meet and have enough money till the next pay cheque. Others receive food on some days from bakeries and restaurants, through the network.

Problems do not end here, Karaoli said, explaining that many need psychological support.

The network’s chairwoman furthermore pointed out the lack of infrastructure to support these families, including after-school care facilities.