Nearly two-thirds of the Maltese population say they are worried mostly about rising inflation, followed at a distance by crime, according to the latest Eurobarometer survey.
Respondents’ said that rising prices (61%) and crime (26%) top the list of worries, with immigration and climate change each mentioned by 15% of respondents.
In total, 73% of respondents tended to have positive views on the economic situation in Malta, describing the current situation in Malta as very good or rather good.
The findings indicate that 94% of respondents have claimed to be content with their way of life on the island.
The European Commission Representation in Malta published the National Report of the latest Standard Eurobarometer Survey (EB98) on Monday.
The national report summarizes the key findings of the fieldwork carried out between January 12 and February 1 2023 based on a total of 504 interviews with Maltese respondents, aged 15 years or older.
The research discusses a variety of issues, including the respondents' impressions of their own personal circumstances, Malta's economic state, and the European Union, the EU's policies, the Russian invasion of Ukraine, trust in institutions, and media and news sources.
Perceptions on personal situation
Respondents in Malta had very good opinions on their own personal circumstances, with 94% of respondents claiming to be content with their way of life.
Rising prices and climate change issues were foremost on the minds of respondents when they were asked to select the two most significant issues they were currently facing.
91% of respondents in Malta said their household's financial status was excellent or somewhat good, and 46% said they expected their lives in general to get better in the upcoming year.
Perceptions of the European Union
With 73% of respondents in this wave of the Eurobarometer expressing very high or moderate optimism about the future of the European Union, it was once again confirmed that respondents in Malta have very positive impressions of the EU.
The majority of respondents in Malta believe that Malta benefits greatly from being a member state of the EU, with 76% disagreeing that the country would be better off staying outside of it.
The free movement of people, products, and services, the introduction of the euro, and the peace between EU Member States are all considered to be the most significant outcomes of EU membership, with 61% of respondents supporting the idea that more decisions be made at an EU level.
Malta scores higher than the EU average in favourable opinions about the EU, with a predominance of positive opinions within the 15-24 age cohort.
According to 83% of respondents, NextGenerationEU, the Union's plan to boost the economy through grants and loans, has been a successful strategy to combat the current economic difficulties.
The Russian invasion of Ukraine
70% of respondents said they were extremely satisfied or fairly satisfied with how their government responded to Russia's invasion of Ukraine, while 68% said they were satisfied with how the EU responded.
High peaks of favorable opinion have also been attained regarding the EU's defense of European principles and its providing of humanitarian aid to war victims.
80% percent of respondents also believe that Malta's security is threatened by Russia's invasion of Ukraine.
Media and Sources of News
Media consumption and news sources were the subject of another series of questions.
88% of respondents in Malta said they often use the internet, particularly as a major source of news on European issues.
64% said that they read the news about Malta on the internet, with 44% saying that that they read the news about the EU on the internet.
Despite the fact that 90% of respondents said they frequently come across disinformation, 54% of respondents don't think the Maltese media provides trustworthy information, and 59% don't think it's free from political and commercial pressure.