In 2023, the unemployment rate for 15-74 years old in the EU fell to 6.1 percent of the labour force, the lowest level since 2014.

During the second quarter of this year, guests spent 208.8 million nights in short-term rental accommodation in the EU, booked via Airbnb, Booking, Expedia Group or TripAdvisor. This corresponds to an increase of 16.2 percent compared with the same period in 2023.

During the first quarter of this year, guests spent 123.7 million nights in short-term rental accommodation in the EU, booked via Airbnb, Booking, Expedia Group or TripAdvisor. This corresponds to an increase of 28.3 percent compared with the same period in 2023.

In 2021, 1.5 million enterprises in the EU had their core business in the real estate sector, representing 4.8 percent of all active enterprises in the EU’s business economy.  This marked an 11 percent increase from 2020 (1.3 million enterprises).

In 2022, EU countries produced 4.8 million pairs of skis and snowboards, an increase of 37 percent when compared with 2021. Almost half of these items (2.2 million; 45 percent) were produced in Austria. 

In 2023, 56 percent of people in the EU aged 16 to 74 had at least basic overall digital skills. 

In 2021, six million people aged 15-64 years old in the EU worked in the transport sector (3.1 percent of total employment in the EU).

The EU has the largest coordinated network of protected areas in the world, known as Natura 2000 and consisting of almost 27,000 terrestrial and marine sites.

Nikos Christodoulides, minister, foreign affairs, Cyprus, travelled to Austria to participate in Gymnich, the Informal Meeting of Foreign Ministers of the European Union (EU), which was held in Vienna from August 30 to 31.

Cyprus’ Consumer Protection Service confirmed the new law on package travel and the strengthening of travellers' rights has come into force since July 01.