Cyprus lags far behind in the area of independent living for persons with disabilities
24 November 2025, AKEL C.C. Press Office, Nicosia
A recent European Parliament study entitled “Independent Living of Persons with Disabilities in the EU” ranks Cyprus very low in terms of creating conditions for independent living and deinstitutionalization of persons with disabilities.
More specifically, the study finds that Cyprus:
- Seriously deviates from European directives and international recommendations due to the increase in the number of children with disabilities that are being institutionalized.
- There is no strategy for transition to deinstitutionalization, nor are there any relevant binding commitments, nor is there a housing policy for persons with disabilities, which makes independent living virtually impossible.
- The new National Strategy 2024-2028 focuses only on mapping individuals at risk of institutionalization without however including the setting of specific targets.
- Cyprus spends just 0.2% of its GDP on support services, one of the lowest rates in Europe, and has an extremely low rate of funding for institutional care.
- The absence of public support services results in people with disabilities being isolated, dependent on their families, or even institutionalized.
The European Parliament study reflects the tragic situation in our country regarding the deinstitutionalisation of persons with disabilities and their independent living, which is significantly below the international commitments undertaken by Cyprus.
Deinstitutionalisation is not a technical reform, it is at the core of AKEL’s perception of social justice and human rights. The current situation is not a natural phenomenon but instead the result of political choices made.
AKEL will continue to assert policies that promote social protection and ensure dignity for all.
