The Cyprus Composite Leading Economic Index (CCLEI), compiled and assessed by the University of Cyprus’ Economics Research Centre (CypERC), continued its upward trend in March 2025.
However, the annual growth rate of the index slowed to 1.7 per cent, compared to 2.3 per cent in February of the same year.
According to the CypERC, “the slowdown in the annual growth rate of the CCLEI reflects the significant global economic uncertainty and its impact on economic growth rates worldwide, including Cyprus.”
Despite the deceleration, the positive movement in March followed annual increases of 2.3 per cent in February and 2.4 per cent in January 2025, based on the most recent revised data.
The CypERC explained that the ongoing positive trend in the CCLEI was “supported by improvements in the annual growth rates of both domestic and international leading indicators.”
These include stronger performance in real estate sales, an increase in the total value of transactions with Cypriot credit cards, higher retail sales volumes, and a drop in the price of Brent crude oil, based on the latest available figures.
Conversely, the centre noted that recent data for the Consumer Confidence Index in both Cyprus and the eurozone point to a partial deterioration in economic sentiment, which negatively affected the CCLEI.
In addition, preliminary data on electricity production volume and an annual decline in tourist arrivals also exerted a dampening effect on the further strengthening of the Index.
