Cyprus - Population

The population of Cyprus (Greek and Turkish zones) in 2003 was estimated by the United Nations at 802,000, which placed it as number 152 in population among the 193 nations of the world. In that year approximately 10% of the population was over 65 years of age, with another 22% of the population under 15 years of age. There were 100 males for every 100 females in the country in 2003. According to the UN, the annual population growth rate for 2000–2005 is 0.76%, with the projected population for the year 2015 at 861,000. The population density in 2002 was 97 per sq km (250 per sq mi). The Turkish sector is more sparsely populated than the Greek zone.

It was estimated by the Population Reference Bureau that 57% of the population lived in urban areas in 2001. Nicosia, the capital city, located near the center of the island in the Mesaoria plain, had a 2002 population of 193,000. Other chief towns—all seaports—are Limassol, Famagusta, Larnaca, Paphos, and Kyrenia. According to the United Nations, the urban population growth rate for 2000–2005 was 1.5%.