Cyprus among EU leaders for low levels of discrimination against people with disabilities

Cyprus is among the European Union countries with the lowest levels of reported discrimination against people with disabilities when dealing with public institutions. According to Eurostat data, in 2024, this figure was just 3.1% — on par with Italy and significantly lower than the EU average.

For comparison, on average across the EU, 9.4% of people with disabilities reported cases of discrimination when interacting with administrative services. The highest rates were recorded in Estonia (14.6%) and Spain (14.5%), as well as in Belgium, the Netherlands, and Sweden. Meanwhile, among people without disabilities, the same figure is only 4.0%.

Differences are also observed in other areas. When searching for housing, 8.2% of people with disabilities reported discrimination compared to 5.2% among the rest of the population. In public places, this figure was 5.0% versus 3.0%, and in the field of education — 4.1% versus 2.3%.

Despite Cyprus's relatively favorable indicators, the general trend in the EU shows that people with disabilities are more likely to face unequal treatment. The publication of the data coincided with the start of EU Diversity Month, which focuses on the importance of inclusivity and equal opportunities in society and the labor market.