Crime in Cyprus continued its upward trajectory in 2024, with both the number of serious offences and the overall crime index recording further increases, according to the latest figures released by the Statistical Service of Cyprus. The data outline shifting patterns in crime categories, a growing number of victims and offenders, and notable developments in juvenile delinquency, courts and prisons.
Serious crime on the rise
In 2024, 5,942 serious criminal offences were reported to the Police. Of these, 5,900 were recorded as actual cases, up from 5,653 reported cases and 5,630 actual cases in 2023.
Offences by category (2024):
- Offences against property: 31.8%
- (down from 34.8% in 2023)
- Offences against the person: 26.8%
- Offences harming the public in general: lower share than in 2023, when they ranked second at 19.4%
Despite the decline in property-related offences as a proportion of total serious crime, they remained the most common category for another year.
Crime index confirms upward trend
The serious crime index, measured as cases per 100,000 inhabitants, rose again in 2024 to 605, compared with:
- 588 in 2023
- 568 in 2022
The figures confirm a steady increase in serious crime rates over the past three years.
More victims recorded
The rise in serious crime was accompanied by a higher number of victims.
In 5,900 actual cases recorded in 2024, 6,651 victims were identified
- 5,128 natural persons
- 1,523 legal entities
This compares with 5,531 victims in 2023, including 4,444 natural persons and 1,087 legal entities.
Victim profile highlights:
Legal entities were most often victims of offences harming the public in general, 53.4% in 2024 & 43.8% in 2023
Natural persons were mainly victims of offences against the person in 2024 (39.8%)
In 2023, the largest share of natural person victims concerned offences against property (45.0%)
Offenders and gender breakdown
A total of 7,470 offenders were linked to serious crime cases in 2024.
Of the 7,433 natural persons involved, 820 were women
Women accounted for 11.0% of offenders, continuing to represent a small share of serious crime involvement
As in the previous year, offences against property were the most common crimes committed by offenders, accounting for 32.8% of cases.
Sharp increase in juvenile delinquency
Juvenile involvement in crime rose significantly in 2024. In total 774 minors were involved in criminal offences
- 467 in serious crimes
- 307 in minor offences
This marks a notable increase from 602 minors in 2023.
Girls accounted for 4.4% of juvenile offenders in 2024, down from 8.6% the previous year. In both years, offences against property were the most common category among minors.
Courts: fewer cases, more women
The number of persons brought before the courts fell by 12.5% in 2024:
- 62,066 cases in 2024
- 70,941 cases in 2023
Despite the decline, the share of women continued to rise, reaching 26.3% of those appearing before the courts.
- 32,683 convictions were recorded
- Men accounted for 72.0% of convictions
- Most convictions concerned traffic offences
- The most common penalty imposed remained a fine
Prison population and reoffending
As of 1 September 2024, the prison population stood at 995 inmates.
- 917 new admissions were recorded during the year, a decrease compared with previous years
- More than 83% of those admitted had no prior prison sentence
- A notable proportion of former inmates, however, reoffended within one year