Survey Reveals Maltese Attitudes Towards Religion and Trust: A Detailed Analysis
In a recent survey “Stat tan-Nazzjon,” a significant majority of respondents affirmed their belief in God.
The survey, designed by statistics expert Dr. Vincent Marmarà and strategic communication consultant Mr. Lou Bondi, encompassed a representative sample of 1,064 individuals across Malta.
A striking 88.9% of respondents declared their belief in God, while only 8.2% stated they did not believe, and 3.0% were uncertain. These figures have remained relatively consistent over the past four years, though subtle shifts are noticeable.
- Among those aged 16-25, over twenty respondents (20.7%) expressed disbelief in God.
- Over fourteen percent of individuals with tertiary education reported not believing in God (14.5%).
Despite these variations, religion retains significant importance for many Maltese:
- 56.7% of respondents consider religion very important in their lives.
- 31.5% view it as somewhat important.
- 10.4% regard it as not important at all.
The data suggests a clear trend: older respondents tend to place greater importance on religion. Conversely, those with lower educational levels overwhelmingly deem religion important (83.3%). Interestingly, higher earners tend to place less importance on religion.
Less than 40% of the survey participants in 2024 said they consider religion significantly when making moral decisions (38.9%), a notable decrease from 49.0% in 2023. The trend indicates that older individuals are more likely to factor in religion when determining right from wrong, whereas higher education levels correlate with a lesser reliance on religious considerations for such decisions.
Dr. Marmarà highlighted a growing sentiment among Maltese people of declining reliance on religion and political parties for decision-making. This coincides with increasing importance placed on family for guidance and support. Trust in media is also waning.
Dr. Marmarà noted, “People are becoming more selective in whom they trust, reducing their risk-taking in trust. The decreasing trust in media reflects this shift.”
Other key findings include:
- 35.2% of respondents believe that foreigners are not the solution to Malta’s issues, even though tourism, which heavily relies on foreigners, is seen as vital for economic growth.
- A significant number of people feel financially better off, yet their expectations continue to evolve.
President Myriam Spiteri Debono opened the national conference by reflecting on the survey’s findings over the past four years. She emphasised the importance of these insights for institutions and political entities aiming to lead and serve the Maltese population effectively.
“The survey serves as a crucial guide and reference for institutions and organisations working among the people, particularly those aspiring to leadership at various levels,” concluded President Debono.
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