Backpack for €210, pen for 19 cents: how much it costs to prepare a child for school in Cyprus

On the eve of the new school year, the Cyprus Consumers Association conducted a large-scale study: prices for school supplies were analyzed in ten stores across the country, including online platforms. The results were strikingly broad — depending on the brand and the place of purchase, the cost of the same items could vary several times.

Price range of items

Backpacks — from €4.99 to €209.95

Pencil cases — from €0.71 to €44.95

Pens, pencils, markers — from €0.19 to €14.99

Notebooks — from €0.32 to €12.99

Folders (for notebooks) — from €0.38 to €5.39

School uniform

Clothing prices also turned out to be quite varied:

T-shirts and shirts — from €3.99 to €48

Trousers — from €11 to €26

Skirts — from €5 to €22.95

Comparison with last year

The Association noted price dynamics:

Pencil cases became cheaper by about 10%

Notebooks — became 18% more affordable

At the same time, backpacks, markers, pencils, and folders increased in price by 25–46%

Recommendations for parents

The Consumers Association recommends:

1. Make a clear list — divide purchases into “necessary” and “optional”

2. Compare prices in different stores, including online platforms

3. Check return conditions when buying online

4. Choose a backpack according to the child’s size, so it is not excessively heavy