![Rate Of Maltese Unable To Afford Meat Drops](https://maltadaily.mt/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/MEATWEB.jpg)
The Ministry for Social Policy and Children’s Rights is pleased with the significant reduction in Severe Material and Social Deprivation rates recorded in 2023, which are now among the lowest ever.
This contrasts sharply with figures from 10 years ago, measured with a less stringent methodology. According to the latest Eurostat report, one in ten people in EU countries cannot afford vegetables, meat, or fish every other day.
Malta’s situation is on par with the EU average, improving from 2013 when 1 in 6 people couldn’t afford such meals. In 2023, 9.4% of Maltese fell into this category, down from 15.3%-15.5% in 2013-2014.
The NSO figures show that the rate of Severe Material and Social Deprivation decreased from 4.9% in 2022 to 4.1% in 2023, the lowest since 2017.
Similarly, the Material and Social Deprivation rate fell from 9.6% in 2022 to 9.2% in 2023, the lowest since 2019. The decline was most notable among the elderly and workers, with almost 20% in deprivation in 2013. Minister Michael Falzon emphasized the need for further consolidation of social policies, especially amid inflation pressures.
The government continues to subsidize energy, grain, and cereal prices and introduced a new benefit in late 2022 to help low- and medium-income families cope with inflation.
Additionally, the government has raised thresholds for COLA benefits and implemented price stability agreements to reduce the cost of 450 essential food products.
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