Cyprus transport statistics place the country fourth among EU member states for car ownership and second for air passengers per capita, according to data published by Eurostat.
The findings are included in Eurostat’s report Key figures on transport in Europe, which outlines passenger and freight transport trends across the European Union, alongside infrastructure, economic impact, energy use and environmental effects.
High levels of motorisation
According to the report, Cyprus recorded 661 passenger cars per 1,000 inhabitants in 2024, placing it fourth among EU countries with the highest levels of motorisation.
The highest ratios were observed in Italy (701 cars per 1,000 inhabitants), followed by Luxembourg (670) and Finland (666).
At the other end of the scale, the lowest car ownership rates were recorded in Latvia (424), Romania (444) and Hungary (447 per 1,000 inhabitants).
The EU average stood at 578 passenger cars per 1,000 inhabitants.
Second highest air passengers per capita
Cyprus also ranked second in the EU for air passengers per capita in 2024, reflecting strong air connectivity and tourism-related travel.
The report shows that southern EU countries with strong tourism sectors recorded the highest ratios. Malta topped the list with 15.6 air passengers per inhabitant, followed by Cyprus with 12.5 passengers per inhabitant.
High ratios were also observed in Luxembourg and Ireland, both with 7.5 passengers per inhabitant.
In contrast, eastern EU countries recorded the lowest levels, with the seven lowest-ranking states all reporting fewer than two air passengers per capita. The EU average was 2.3 passengers per inhabitant.
Eurostat notes that the indicator is based on the total number of passengers carried on flights to and from each country relative to its permanent population.
Mostly domestic road transport
The report also shows that in 2024, more than two-thirds of vehicle kilometres travelled by EU-registered vehicles were for domestic transport within member states.
In Cyprus, 97.5% of vehicle kilometres related to national transport, one of the highest proportions in the EU. By contrast, Lithuania recorded the lowest share of domestic transport activity, at just 11%.
Employment in transport remains limited in Cyprus
Across the EU, 6.3 million people were employed in the transport sector in 2024, representing 3.1% of total employment.
Romania recorded the highest share of employment in transport services, at 6.2%. Cyprus and Germany had the lowest proportions, at 1.7% and 1.8% respectively.
In absolute terms, the largest numbers of transport-sector workers were recorded in France (854,000 people, or 13.7% of the EU total), followed by Poland, Spain, Germany and Italy. Cyprus and Malta each accounted for 0.1% of total EU transport employment, the lowest shares among member states.
The latest Cyprus transport statistics highlight the country’s heavy reliance on private vehicles and air travel compared to the EU average.
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