The country’s first comprehensive study on how Maltese youths perceive themselves has shown that, more or less and on the whole, the kids are alright, and that they also show a healthy scepticism when it comes to politics.

Maltese youths, which for the purpose of the study in question were those aged between 13 and 30, are for the most part happy, healthy and well educated, respectful, tolerant and optimistic about their future.

The national study is the first of its kind in that it asks Maltese youth what they think of themselves, their places in society and their futures, rather than focusing on their health or opinions on a variety of issues.

And in general those polled are well behaved, law abiding and have strong relationships with their parents and siblings. Most live at home, have computers or laptops, mobile phones and internet access and half of their spending power goes on recreation, shopping and travelling.

Physically, they are generally healthy and fit but a “significant minority” of young people are lacking in physical exercise and stress appears to be common and taking its toll on the country’s youth.

But more than a little worryingly, the study showed a lack of interest in setting up a business or in entrepreneurship, while a substantial minority of youths did not read on a daily basis and don’t read newspapers at all.

From the results, there appears to be a problem at large with motivation, given the high numbers of those who are lacking in physical exercise, a will to better their lot in life through entrepreneurship and the will or means to fly the family nest and go it on their own - remember the study goes all the way up to 30 years of age.

Another problematic area is that of early school leaving, where Malta has always fared amongst the worst in the EU. While the study does not specifically explore the area, it is worth noting that progress is being made. But according to recent figures, 82%of students last year chose to continue their education past the secondary level, meaning that the country’s early school-leaving rate was just 18%. That figure has shrunk considerably over the years from the 36.8% registered in 2009 and the 54.2% in 2000.

Communication technologies have taken a huge prominence in the lives of Malta’s youth over recent years, and while the vast majority have internet and/or internet-connected mobile phones, 70% of those believe it would be difficult or very difficult to live without the internet, compared to 50% who said the same for television and 25% for radio. And here too, Maltese youths do not rank much different from their European counterparts.

And with general elections fast approaching, much talk will centre on youths and the future, but it is doubtful that they will even be listening and if they are listening, it is even more doubtful that they will believe anything they are hearing over the campaign.

In fact, Members of Parliament and politicians, according to the survey - ‘Mirrors and Windows: Maltese Young People’s Perceptions of Themselves, Their Families, Communities and Society’, commissioned by Aġenzija Żgħażagħ and Żgħażagħ Ħaddiema Nsara - are the least trusted categories of people.

Ranking their trust in 15 different categories of people on a scale of one to 10, youths gave MPs and politicians an average score of two. Moreover, political parties, followed by the media were deemed to be the least influential institutions when judging between right and wrong, good and bad, and fair and unfair.

And when asked about their level of commitment to a political party, 50% either did not respond or had no such commitment, while just 2.1% indicated a strong level of commitment. Ten per cent said that they were members of political parties. Journalists, judges and magistrates, business people and accountants were more trusted, with an average score of five.

They are followed by public officers, lawyers, and nuns, who scored an average of six on the scale, while teachers, priests and social workers scored seven. And the most trusted people in the eyes of Malta’s youth are medical doctors and career advisors and guidance officers, who scored eight on the trust scale.

Of course, politicians and their parties are making great, and increasing, use of social media – from Facebook to Google hangouts and just about everywhere in between - areas which appears to be one of the main sources of youths’ information these days - in their bid to attract their important vote.

Youths’ lack of trust in the country’s political structures and politicians is not, however, a bad thing. In fact it is positive and is exactly the kind of healthy scepticism that we should expect from the younger generations, as long as that distrust doesn’t stem from pure apathy.

And with a general election on the near horizon, political parties may have a harder time than they had bargained for in winning over youths’ trust, and their votes.