Data analysis of Cyprus checkpoint crossings from 2003 to 2026

Journalist Cenk Mutluyakali published data from the Turkish Cypriot police reporting over 190.28 million checkpoint crossings between April 23, 2003, and March 2026. Annual crossing volume has increased from approximately 4.5 million in 2003 to nearly 15 million in recent years. In the first quarter of 2026, crossings towards government-controlled areas reached 1,404,608, exceeding the 1,400,480 crossings into the north. This marks the first time in recent years that south-bound traffic has surpassed north-bound traffic. Analysts attribute the shift in movement to economic factors, including inflation and higher consumer prices in the north, which incentivize shopping and services use in the government-controlled areas. Conversely, data from 2025 showed a notable decline in crossings by Greek Cypriots to the north, with figures falling by over 15 percent in the second quarter compared to the previous year. Specifically, April, May, and June of 2025 all showed consistent month-on-month decreases in northern travel by Greek Cypriots compared to 2024.