In 2019, 17.1% people were living on 9,212 euros a year; this compared to 16.8% (i.e. an increase of 4,073 people) the previous year. Women, especially single mothers, remain the most vulnerable group at risk of poverty in Malta.
Poverty Watch Main Findings
Most affected groups
Women
Single parents
The unemployed
The in-work poor
Young adults
Third country nationals
Main priorities
- A national research institute on poverty and social impact will be set up and in depth studies will be carried out, so that the poor can get out of poverty at a faster rate.
- A plan to review the true cost of living and to implement a minimum income to live decently in Malta. For this to happen, discussions must be launched at European level. The Maltese authorities should be among the first to submit this proposal.
- Malta continues to urge the Government to subsidize healthy foods such as vegetables and fruits. This is to help the Maltese people eat better and motivate them to buy more of these products.
- A bailout on electricity and water will be considered for those families who were most affected during the pandemic.
- A Digital Currency Solution: a more radical proposal is to start working on a ‘digital cash’ for the low-income earners. As society moves forward in progress, the base gets left behind in many ways, including access to financial tools that meet their needs. In contrast COVID19 has shown that governments around the world have struggled to deliver cash to the lower echelons. A digital cash directly aimed at this sector would answer both of these needs and is now on the agenda for many Central Banks around the world.
Contact details
c/o 424, St. Joseph High Road,
St. Venera SVR 1013 (Malta)
St. Venera SVR 1013 (Malta)
Tel: +356 21 35 44 64
Mobile number: +356 99 87 71 39
E-mail: apfmalta ( @ ) gmail.com
