Malta’s Youths Unhappiest In The EU

Mar 20 2024

The World Happiness Report disclosed that Maltese individuals under 30 are the least content within the EU, positioned 57th globally, trailing all EU states and nations like Moldova and El Salvador.

A UN-sponsored study evaluated happiness levels on a scale of 1 to 10, with Maltese youth registering 6.45, lower than Lithuania yet surpassing the US, Canada, and Japan. Discontent among Maltese youth has surged in recent years, with scores plummeting by nearly 0.4 since 2006-2010.

Overall, Malta secured the 40th position globally in happiness, with Scandinavian countries dominating the zenith. While younger individuals worldwide generally exhibit higher happiness levels, Maltese older adults scored marginally lower than the youth.

Despite reports of increased unhappiness among the youth, other age demographics display greater contentment than they did 15 years ago.

Malta’s overall happiness score escalated by almost 0.4 during this period but has oscillated in recent years.

Remarkably, Malta ranks third for generosity and 13th for healthy life expectancy. However, perceptions regarding corruption are ambivalent, with Malta placed 77th globally, signifying room for improvement.

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Malta’s Air Polluted With Double The Recommended Amount

Mar 20 2024

A recent report indicates that Malta’s air quality significantly exceeds World Health Organization (WHO) guidelines, with fine particle levels more than double the recommended threshold.

These particles, measuring just 2.5 millionths of a metre, pose severe health risks, including asthma, cancer, and cardiovascular diseases, primarily due to their easy absorption into the lungs and bloodstream.

Malta ranks 49th out of 134 countries in terms of air quality, with an average PM2.5 concentration of 12 micrograms per cubic meter in 2023.

Comparatively, French Polynesia boasts the cleanest air worldwide, while Bangladesh suffers from extremely high pollution levels.

In Europe, Malta ranks 26th, with Iceland leading in air quality and Bosnia Herzegovina having the poorest.

Despite consistent pollution levels since 2018, Malta’s efforts to improve air quality have shown little success amidst rampant construction and increased car usage, both of which continue unabated.

Census data underscores the construction boom, with dwellings increasing by a third between 2011 and 2021, far outpacing population growth. These findings underscore the urgent need for Malta to address its air pollution crisis amidst ongoing urban development and transportation challenges.

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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.

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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.’

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