Although Cyprus remains among the countries with low tuberculosis incidence, one notable detail stands out: over 85% of diagnosed cases involve individuals from other countries — one of the highest rates across Europe.
These findings are included in the report published by the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) to mark World Tuberculosis Day. According to 2024 data, Cyprus recorded approximately 5.5 cases per 100,000 residents — significantly lower than the EU average of 8.4 per 100,000.
The country ranks in the same low-incidence group as Sweden, Finland, Slovenia, and Malta. No cases of multidrug-resistant tuberculosis were recorded on the island in 2024.
However, the origin of cases raises questions. Cyprus, alongside Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Malta, and Norway, ranks among the highest in Europe for the share of imported cases, while the EU average stands at just 37.6%.
At the European level, 38,249 cases were recorded across 30 countries in 2024, with the greatest burden concentrated in Romania and the Baltic states. The successful treatment rate in Europe reaches only 64.2% — far below the WHO target of 90%.
