Prepare to be squeezed

Experts tell us that Cyprus is set to become one of Europe’s most densely populated nations within two generations, driven by immigration and an ageing society.

 The statistics, say our population will shoot up 66 percent by 2060, leading many to conclude that such an increase in inhabitants cannot be met by sustainable resources.

 As we are a tiny island, with only so much living space available, this information should have set alarms bells ringing.

If this prediction is true, around 1, 433, 615 people will be living in the Republic in 50-years.

 These predictions can only force greater pressure on the existing arable land, water and energy – leaving me wondering if Cyprus is really prepared for such a boom?

 As it stands now at the close of 2009, vast amounts of agricultural land is disappearing as housing estates and developments shoot up, we all continue to suffer from the dire effects of water shortages and if predictions are correct, we are heading into a period where temperatures are set to rise.

 Fertile cropland is being lost at an alarming rate in Cyprus, making us much more dependent on food imports, this situation will probably increase over the coming years as farmers, who have for years been bemoaning collapsing trade, are tempted by hard cash from property developers for their land.

It must also be mentioned that loss of wildlife habitats from urbanization is becoming increasing noticeable as snakes, rabbits and even foxes move into urban areas.

 Despite the recent plans to try end the water problem, water supplies are running low worldwide and this can only worsen as the population increases.

Increased population growth generally represents problems for any country – it means increased need for food, infrastructure, and services.

A report published last week suggested that the number of over 65s in Cyprus is set to treble in the next 35 years and there will be more elderly people on the island than children under 15.

That means a larger burden on health care and public services.

These are expenses that most countries have little ability to provide today, let alone if population rises dramatically, like ours is set to do.

So what do we do?

The Cyprus Mail is the only English-language daily newspaper published in Cyprus. It was established in 1945 and today, with its popular and widely-read website, the Cyprus Mail is among the most trusted news sites in Cyprus. The newspaper is not affiliated with any political parties and has always striven to maintain its independence. Over the past 70-plus years, the Cyprus Mail, with a small dedicated team, has covered momentous events in Cyprus’ modern history, chronicling the last gasps of British colonial rule, Cyprus’ truncated independence, the coup and Turkish invasion, and the decades of negotiations to stitch the divided island back together, plus a myriad of scandals, murders, and human interests stories that capture the island and its -people. Observers describe it as politically conservative.