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Cyprus SOCIETY
Population: Republic of Cyprus estimate of
575,000 in the
government-controlled area at the end of 1990. Turkish
Cypriots
estimate their number at about 171,000 at mid-1990, about
40,000
higher than estimates of the Republic of Cyprus.
Difference may
stem in part from the tens of thousands of Turks who
settled on the
island after 1974. No de facto census since 1960.
Languages: Three principal languages: Greek,
Turkish, and
English. Knowledge and use of Greek and Turkish as second
language,
never common, declining further owing to de facto
partition of the
island; English the standard second language for Cypriots
of both
ethnic communities.
Religion: Virtually all Greek Cypriots are Greek
Orthodox
Christians, adherents of the autocephalous Church of
Cyprus, headed
by a synod composed of bishops and an elected archbishop.
The
Armenian Apostolic Church--another of the eastern
Christian
religions that does not recognize the authority of the
pope in
Rome--has minor following. Also small numbers of members
of
churches in full communion with Rome--Maronites and Roman
Catholics. Turkish Cypriots are Muslims and form the
second largest
religious group.
Education and Literacy: Republic of Cyprus level
of
education high; literacy rate of 99 percent; illiteracy
confined to
the old. Free and compulsory education offered at
preprimary,
primary, and at secondary levels in academic and technical
vocational high schools. Higher education available at
specialized
schools and at one university to open in early 1990s. Many
Greek
Cypriots studied at foreign universities.
[Turkish Cypriots established parallel system and also
had high
literacy rate. Although several universities in operation
by 1990,
some Turkish Cypriots received higher education abroad.]
Health: Republic of Cyprus health care provided
both
through public heath service administered by Ministry of
Health and
private sector. Lower income families entitled to free
medical care
and middle-income families to care at reduced rates. In
1990 six
general hospitals and twenty-one rural health centers.
Life
expectancy 73.9 years for males and 77.8 years for females
in 1990.
[Turkish Cypriots had extensive health care system
administered
by Ministry of Health and Social Welfare. In late 1980s,
five state
and four private hospitals and ten public health centers
in
addition to many clinics. Life expectancy 70 years for
males and 72
years for females in 1979.]
Data as of January 1991
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