Cypriot workers put in longer hours than their European counterparts on average, according to Eurostat, the statistical office of the EU. Eurostat data for 2023 shows Cypriots averaged 38.5 hours per week in their main jobs, exceeding the EU average of 36.1 hours.
Regional Variations in Working Hours
Significant variations exist across the bloc. In the EU, Greece, Romania, Poland, and Bulgaria had the highest working hours, while the Netherlands, Austria, and Germany had the lowest. Greece led with 39.8 hours, followed by Romania (39.5), Poland (39.3), and Bulgaria (39.0). On the other end of the spectrum, the Netherlands recorded the lowest at 32.2 hours, with Austria (33.6) and Germany (34.0) not far behind.
Sectoral Analysis
Looking at sectors across the EU, agriculture, forestry, and fishing led the way with an average of 41.5 hours, followed by mining and quarrying (39.1) and construction (38.9). Conversely, household workers logged the fewest hours (26.7), followed by education (31.9) and arts, entertainment, and recreation (33.0).
Cyprus: A Closer Look
Cyprus mirrored these trends to some extent. Agriculture, forestry, and fishing topped the national list at 45.7 hours, surprisingly followed by household workers at 44.1 hours and mining and quarrying at 44.0 hours. The hospitality and food service sector also saw higher-than-average working hours in Cyprus (42.9 vs. 36.9 in the EU).
Education (33.8), other services (36.1), and extraterritorial organisations and bodies (37.3) recorded the fewest working hours in Cyprus.
In summary, Cypriot workers put in longer hours than the European average, with an average of 38.5 hours per week. This trend is reflected across various sectors, with agriculture, forestry, and fishing leading in both Cyprus and the broader EU.
