Average Wage In 2023 Set At €1,500

Mar 20 2024

Titled the ‘Malta Economic Outlook,’ research by KPMG reveals that the average wage in 2023 was set at €1,530 monthly which translates to €18,359 per year.

This despite nominal wages climbing from an average of €18,967 in 2018 to €22,032 in 2023. Hence the resulting gap between the average real wage in 2023 and the average nominal wage during this same year, is more than €3,600, the report says.

In the aftermath of COVID-19, rising inflation has been a common theme across advanced economies, fueled by disrupted supply chains struggling to meet resurging demand.

However, recent data suggests a downward trend in inflation, projected to reach 2.7% in the Euro Area and 2.9% in 2024, as the ECB implements tighter monetary policies to counter escalating prices.

Despite these efforts, the increasing cost of living is expected to impact wages significantly unless nominal incomes see a corresponding boost.

The European Commission’s autumn forecast indicates a nominal wage growth of 1.5% in Malta during 2023, the lowest in the EU, while the HICP saw a notable jump of 5.7% during the same period, leading to a negative effect on purchasing power as price growth outpaces income growth.

This disparity is further highlighted by the EU Commission’s data, showing a decline of 1.4% in real compensation of employees per head in Malta during 2023, significantly lower than the Euro Area and EU averages.

Over time, the discrepancy between nominal and real wages has widened, particularly in the post-pandemic inflationary period, resulting in workers experiencing a decrease in purchasing power despite nominal wage increases.

#MaltaDaily

Cyrus Engerer & Randolph De Battista Celebrate 12 Years

Mar 20 2024

Taking to social media, Maltese MEP Cyrus Engerer and Maltese MP Randolph De Battista celebrated 12 years by each other’s side.

Engerer thanked his partner for making him a better version of himself. ‘Despite the weekly distance, our bond has become stronger’.

Meanwhile, Randolph expressed his amazement at having spent such a long time with Cyrus, saying that he would not change a single thing.

‘Everything we went through continued to help us grow. Thank for your strength, which helps me be stronger too. I love you.’

#MaltaDaily

Luke Dalli Reflects On His Personal Weight Loss Journey

Mar 20 2024

Local tv presenter Luke Dalli took to social media to reflect on his personal weight loss journey, sharing photos of himself a few years apart.

In 2020, he had weighted 214 kilos – but after just 4 years, he had managed to trim down to 88 kilos, sharing images to compare and contrast.

‘If I can do it, so can you’, wrote Dalli, urging people reading the post to not give up on their physical health goals themselves.

‘Kuraġġ.’

#MaltaDaily

Donna Darmanin’s Debut Poetry Book – 68 Seconds: Writing Catharsis

Mar 20 2024

On Friday, March 22nd, the Campus Book Fest will host a compelling event featuring Donna Darmanin’s debut poetry book. Taking place from 5pm onwards at the University of Malta quadrangle, attendees will delve into the poignant and unapologetic narrative of Darmanin’s work.

Her book offers a profound exploration of a deeply troubled domestic life, presented in the form of a confessional journal. Through vivid and at times unsettling imagery, Darmanin confronts the violence, degradation, and resentment that pervaded her past. Despite the raw vulnerability of her voice, there is an undeniable strength and self-assurance that underpins her words, rooted in profound self-awareness.

In her own reflection on the work, Darmanin describes it as an apology—an act of reconciliation with her younger self burdened by blame and shame. The book serves as a tool for healing, a means of addressing past wounds and seeking forgiveness, both from herself and from the world. As attendees immerse themselves in Darmanin’s powerful poetry, they will be invited on a journey of introspection and empathy, confronting themes of forgiveness, presence, and self-acceptance.

#MaltaDaily