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Cyprus, in the ten years that preceded independence, 1950-59, Cypriot exports
averaged 25% of Cypriot GNP 55 .
Data on the composition, rather than the proportion, of domestic output exported
(presented in Figure 2.1, Chapter 2) tends to contradict Christodoulou's time frame
also. Clearly the diversification of exports and export markets carne only after
1974, as a consequence of the loss of a región specialised in export agriculture. It
will be argued here that diversification of production, and particularly production
for external markets, was an important indicator of economic development. This
occurred as a direct result of the war in 1974 and the necessary restructuring it
engendered.
Christodoulou gives a generally optimistic description of the social effects of
economic growth against a pessimistic background of the role of planning,
economic management and the sustainability of economic growth. Implicitly,
economic growth has benefited almost all of society, seemingly compensating for
gross political failures. In 1981 34% of the labour market earned a salary whilst in
1989 that had risen to 45%. "..the figures seem to point to a tendency towards the
embourgeoisement of Cyprus labour, and helps underscore the striking middle-class
character of Cyprus society as a whole 56 ". This argument ignores changes in
55 Republic of Cyprus 1995. Statistical Abstract 1993. Nicosia: Ministry of Finance, Dept. of
Statistics and Research, pp. 529-531.
56 Christodoulou 1992. op, cit. p. 215. It is assumed that "Cyprus Society as a whole" refers to
Greek Cypriots only.
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