PRESS AND INFORMATION OFFICE
29/3/2019
“The undersecretary of state planning organization” says that the number of the population in the occupied area of Cyprus is 372,486
Turkish Cypriot daily Halkin Sesi (29.03.19) reports that Odul Muhtaroglu, “undersecretary of the state planning organization” (“DPO”), announced that the number of the population, as it was announced by the “minister of domestic affairs” Aygul Baybars, is close to the data that they also have.
Participating yesterday in a televised programme at “BRT”, Muhtaroglu said: “In the light of all administrative registrations for 2018, we have determined that the population is 372 thousand 486 persons. We have considered these 372,486 persons as de-jure population, as the population residing in a country more than a year. Because the population according to the UN parameter, is the people who reside in a country for a year and more. Students and those who have working permits are also included. Those who are not included are the tourists and the army corps. (…) The figure that was announced by the minister of interior is very close to our figure. We have determined the figure of 372 thousand 486 in 2018. (…)”
Mutharoglu also said that “state budget revenue from the higher education sector was 4.3 billion TL”, adding: “the annual state budget is 7.7 billion TL and the 4.3 billion TL budget revenue is coming from the higher education sector. (…) We can cover the foreign trade deficit of 1.6 billion dollar form both higher education and tourism. The contribution of university to the employment is very high. Approximately to 14,500 persons are working in the field of higher education. This figure is not just academicians”.
Speaking at the same programme, Ziya Ozturkler, “director of the department of higher education and foreign affairs”, said that the number of active students in the occupied area of the Republic of Cyprus is around 85 thousand. He added: “There are 102 thousand registered university students in the country. (…) but the number of students studying in our country is around 85 thousands, including TRNC citizens. (…)”. He further noted that the student permits contribute to the “state budget” yearly 40 million TL.
source:https://www.pio.gov.cy/en/επισκοπηση-τουρκοκυπριακου-και-τουρκικου-τυπου-αρθρο.html?id=305
