Cypriots have been found to be slightly more industrious than residents of other EU countries

According to data published by the statistical agency of the European Union, Eurostat, in 2023, Cypriots aged 20 to 64 worked slightly longer hours at their main jobs compared to residents of other EU countries. The average in Cyprus was 38.5 hours per week, which is more than 2 hours higher than the EU average of 36.1 hours.

The highest average weekly working time in Cyprus was recorded in agriculture, forestry, and fishing – 45.7 hours. This was followed by domestic workers with 44.1 hours and mining and quarrying with 44.0 hours.

The hospitality and catering sector also ranked high, with 42.9 hours compared to the EU average of 36.9 hours.

On the island, the sectors with the lowest average weekly working time were education (33.8 hours) and activities of extraterritorial organizations and bodies, such as the United Nations and specialized agencies of the United Nations system (37.3 hours).

In the EU, the highest average weekly working time was recorded in Greece – 39.8 hours, Romania – 39.5 hours, Poland – 39.3 hours, and Bulgaria – 39 hours.

The lowest average weekly working time was observed in the Netherlands – 32.2 hours, Austria – 33.6 hours, and Germany – 34 hours.

In terms of economic activities with the highest average weekly working time in the EU in 2023, they were agriculture, forestry, and fishing (41.5 hours), mining and quarrying (39.1 hours), and construction (38.9 hours).

The sectors with the shortest average weekly working hours were domestic workers - 26.7 hours, education - 31.9 hours, and arts, entertainment, and recreation – 33 hours.