Cyprus Housing Stock: When Did Urbanization Begin?

Data from the 2021 population census reveal interesting information about housing in Cyprus, highlighting preferences and changes in housing construction from 1919 to 2021.

According to the Statistical Service, in 2021 there were 491,544 dwellings in the Republic of Cyprus, of which 297,532 were in urban areas and 194,012 in rural areas. Detached houses rank first (193,427), followed by apartment buildings (156,614) and semi-detached houses (66,404).

Most detached houses are located in rural areas, while apartment buildings and semi-detached houses are in urban areas.

Nicosia ranks first with 162,930 dwellings, followed by Limassol with 132,281, Larnaca with 81,881, Paphos with 74,337 and the free district of Famagusta with 40,114.

The data show that until 1960 most dwellings were located in rural areas. Urbanization began in the period 1961-1980, when more dwellings were recorded in urban areas for the first time.