Annual drop in government employment by 2.7% in May

Total government employment decreased in May 2023 by 1,472 persons (-2.7%) compared to the corresponding month of 2022, reaching 52,196 persons, the Cyprus Statistical Service announced on Monday.

According to the Service, this decrease is attributed to the transfer of Hourly Paid Workers from the Ministry of Health to the State Health Services Organisation, which is included in the broad public sector, as from January 2023.

It is added that there was a decrease of 756 persons (-2.9%) in permanent staff, from 26,003 to 25,247, and an increase of 928 persons (4.8%) in casual staff, reaching 20,179 compared to 19,251 in May 2022.

It is also added that a decrease is observed in all permanent personnel categories, whereas an increase is observed in all casual personnel categories, with the main changes being observed in permanent Civil and Educational Service staff (decrease -3.0%) and in casual Civil Service staff (increase 6.3%). Similarly, a decrease is observed in Hourly Paid Workers (-19.5%).

Compared to April 2023, the main changes are observed in casual Educational Service staff (5.3% decrease) and in casual Civil Service staff (1.4% increase), the release concludes.