25% Of Maltese Said They Experienced Discrimination In Past 5 Years

One in four people in Malta said they experienced some form of discrimination or harassment during the past five years, according to a National Statistics Office omnibus survey carried out in September 2025.

The survey, which gathered responses from residents aged 18 and over, found that 25% reported experiencing discrimination or harassment over the previous five years. A further 16% said they had encountered discrimination or harassment within the last 12 months.

Women were slightly more likely than men to report experiencing discrimination over the past five years, at 26%. The highest proportion was recorded among respondents aged 18 to 34, where 29% reported such experiences. The figure was also higher among people with a tertiary education, reaching 35%.

Discrimination based on ethnicity, skin colour or language was the most commonly experienced form of discrimination.

Around 8% of respondents said they had experienced this type of discrimination during the previous five years, while 6% reported experiencing it within the last year.

Despite these experiences, reporting levels remained relatively low. Among those who experienced discrimination or harassment during the previous 12 months, only 39% said they reported the incident.

The survey also found that most reports were made through informal channels rather than official ones. Of those who reported an incident, 88% said they spoke to a family member, relative or friend.

Separately, the survey found that 83% of respondents believe at least one form of discrimination occurs in Malta, with discrimination based on ethnicity, skin colour or language perceived as the most common. Overall, 25% believed this type of discrimination happens very often, while a further 39% believed it occurs sometimes.

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Website Cover Photo Source: Artūras Kokorevas