As can be seen from the chart above, the village was almost always inhabited exclusively by Greek Cypriots. At the turn of the century there were only one or two Muslim (Turkish Cypriot) inhabitants living in the village. Its population fluctuated between 600 and 700 persons during most of the 20th century.
Displacement:
Most of the Greek Cypriot residents of Belapais attempted to remain in the village during the 1974 war. In October 1975, the number of those who were enclaved in the village was 434 (including several people from the surrounding areas and Kyrenia). That number dropped to 411 in February 1976, 303 in May and only seven (7) in August 1976. By September 1976 there were no Greek Cypriots living in Belapais.. Currently, like the rest of the displaced Greek Cypriots, the Greek Cypriots of Belapais are scattered throughout the island’s south, with some small pockets in towns. The number of the Greek Cypriots who were displaced between 1974 and 1976 was around 680 (672 in 1973).
Current Inhabitants:
Today the village is mainly inhabited by displaced Turkish Cypriots from Mari/Tatlısu(363), Kalavasos(355) and Maroni(364). There are also some Turkish nationals and third-country nationals living in the village. Over the last twenty years, many European citizens and wealthy Turkish Cypriots from elsewhere in the island’s north have bought property, built houses, and settled here. Due to the recent construction boom and the development in tourism, the village also hosts many immigrant workers from Turkey and Pakistan, who work in these sectors. The 2006 Turkish Cypriot census puts the village’s population at 934. Due to the new summer homes built in the village, the latter number can easily go up to 1,500 during the holiday seasons.
References
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