CMIRS Survey Reveals Deepening Economic Anxiety Among Turkish Cypriots

According to the third phase of the March 2025 survey, 79% of respondents expressed concern about being unable to afford healthcare costs—a stark indicator of the population's increasing financial vulnerability. Just three months earlier, this figure stood at around 71%, highlighting a noticeable surge in anxiety surrounding rising health expenses during a time of economic hardship.

Mounting Concerns Over Basic Living Costs

The survey, which gathered the views of 500 participants, paints a grim picture of the economic climate in the northern part of the island. A striking 66.8% of respondents reported being worried about covering basic kitchen expenses, a slight but significant rise from 63.93% in December 2024. Meanwhile, 71% of those surveyed said they feared being unable to maintain their current standard of living.

Fear of a Bleaker Future

Public pessimism about the economic trajectory of the region was also evident, with 59.2% of participants believing that the country’s economic situation will deteriorate further over the next two years. This sentiment aligns with broader concerns: approximately 90% of respondents reported experiencing serious economic worries.

Rising Debt Stress

One of the most concerning findings relates to personal debt. The number of individuals worried about being unable to meet loan or credit payments has jumped from 63.92% in December 2024 to 76.2% in March 2025, suggesting a sharp increase in financial strain.

The CMIRS findings underscore a growing crisis of economic insecurity, with Turkish Cypriots increasingly anxious about their ability to meet even the most essential needs—from healthcare to household spending—amid worsening economic conditions.