Why is English widely spoken in Cyprus?

English is widely spoken and understood in Cyprus primarily due to the island's history as a British-administered territory and later a crown colony.12

Following the Cyprus Convention of 1878, Britain assumed administrative control of the island, which was later annexed in 1914 and officially declared a crown colony in 1925. This period of British rule, which lasted until the island gained independence in 1960, integrated the English language into the administrative and educational systems of the country. Even after independence, Britain retained sovereignty over military bases at Akrotiri and Dhekélia, maintaining a continued British presence on the island.23

Additionally, strong historical ties to the United Kingdom have been reinforced by significant migration patterns, as many Cypriots have emigrated to the U.K. and other English-speaking countries over the decades.4