Men’s contribution to cooking and housework in Malta increased by 26% between 2016 and 2022, according to the European Gender Equality Index (GEI).
By 2022, 63% of men and 78% of women reported doing daily cooking and housework, narrowing the gender gap in this area by 29 percentage points (pp).
This change was driven primarily by men’s increased participation, as women’s contribution decreased slightly by 3 pp. However, gaps remain pronounced among couples with children (30 pp) and individuals aged 50–64 (28 pp).
Progress was also noted in education. In 2022, 31% of men and 50% of women were tertiary students in fields such as education, health, and humanities, reducing the gender gap in these fields from 22 pp to 19 pp since 2021.
Despite gains in some areas, women’s representation in leadership remains low. In 2024, only 15% of senior and junior ministerial positions in Malta were held by women, down 5 pp from 2023 and well below the EU average.
In health, self-reported “good” or “very good” health improved for both genders since 2010, though significant disparities persist among single individuals, those with lower education, and lone parents, disproportionately affecting women.
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