Cyprus has the fourth highest number of cars per capita in the European Union, with 658 cars per 1,000 inhabitants, significantly exceeding the EU average of 560.
Key findings:
- Italy has the highest car ownership rate in the EU (684 cars per 1,000 inhabitants), followed by Luxembourg (678), Finland (661), and Cyprus (658).
- Latvia has the lowest car ownership rate (414 cars per 1,000 inhabitants), followed by Romania (417) and Hungary (424).
- The EU average car ownership ratio increased by 14.3% from 2012 to 2022, from 490 to 560 cars per 1,000 inhabitants.
- In Cyprus, the number of cars per 1,000 inhabitants grew by 19.9% over the same period, from 549 in 2012 to 658 in 2022.
- Central and Eastern European countries experienced the highest growth rates in car ownership. Romania had the highest increase (86.2%), followed by Croatia (+44.8%), Hungary (+40.9%), Slovakia (+40.1%), and Estonia (+39.7%).
Factors contributing to high car ownership in Cyprus:
- Limited public transportation: The island’s public transportation system is not well-developed, making cars a necessity for many people.
- Geographic factors: The relatively large size of the island and the dispersed population make it difficult to get around without a car.
- Cultural factors: Car ownership is seen as a status symbol in Cyprus, and many people aspire to own a car.
