Nearly 30% Of Maltese Suffer From Chronic Illness: Struggle With Life Satisfaction

A recent 2023 survey by the National Statistics Office (NSO) among residents in private households in Malta and Gozo revealed that nearly 30% of people in Malta live with a chronic illness or condition, although most report that their health issues do not significantly affect their daily lives.

Only 13.8% of respondents mentioned facing limitations due to health problems.

The survey also found high satisfaction with personal relationships, with an average score of 8.6 out of 10. However, respondents showed more varied levels of satisfaction in other areas, including their jobs (7.7) and overall life satisfaction (7.4).

Access to medical and dental care has improved, with 98.9% of respondents reporting no unmet needs for treatment. This marks a significant improvement over previous years.

However, the survey highlighted that chronic illness tends to be more common among women, those over 65, and individuals at risk of poverty or social exclusion.

Those at risk of poverty or social exclusion reported lower satisfaction in most areas but were more content with how they managed their time.

These respondents were also more likely to experience negative emotions, such as anxiety and loneliness, with higher rates of depression reported among older individuals.

Most respondents (93.5%) felt confident that they would receive help from family, friends, or colleagues if needed.

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