Currently, Malta is dealing with a drop in birth rates. With a fertility rate of just 1.06 (2023), the lowest in the EU, the country must urgently re-evaluate how it supports couples and individuals in starting and growing their family. Despite various policies aimed at helping parents juggle work and family responsibilities, gender inequalities persist in Malta. Women continue to carry the duties of unpaid domestic and caregiving work. These responsibilities also influences their decisions regarding family life and having children.
The study by the National Commission for the Promotion of Equality (NCPE), titled 'Perceptions and Attitudes of Women and Men in Malta towards Work-Life Balance: with a specific focus on Family Size', highlights some of the causes of Malta's declining fertility rate in relation to difficulties to reconcile work and family life. The study puts forward research-based recommendations to address this demographic challenge. These proposals were presented earlier this year during an NCPE Conference, which sparked discussion across both traditional and social media. A comprehensive set of recommendations was outlined, each intended to work together as part of a holistic response to Malta's pressing demographic crisis.
One key area highlighted is the urgent need to improve work-family balance through stronger leave entitlements. This would enable them having more children. The NCPE's study proposes extending maternity leave to six months on full pay and increasing paternity leave to four weeks. Moreover, the NCPE's study recommends six months of paid parental leave, equally split between parents and structured on a "use-it-or-lose-it" basis to encourage both parents to take advantage of this leave. These measures allow both parents to bond with their children and participate equally in their upbringing. In addition, greater workplace flexibility, such as remote work options and flexible starting and finishing times, would help parents better manage their dual responsibilities.
However, such measures must go hand in hand with cultural change. Deeply entrenched gender norms continue to define caregiving as a woman's role. To address this, the NCPE's study recommends a series of awareness and media campaigns to enhance the involvement of fathers in child-rearing. From a young age, children should be exposed to gender-sensitivity education, fostering a new generation that challenges current gender norms.
The study also suggests revising childcare policies, emphasising offering paid parental leave as an alternative to formal childcare in a child's first year. It draws attention to the short school hours and long summer holidays, which often leave parents struggling for care solutions. More accessible and better-promoted after-school services, such as Klabb 3-16 and Skolasajf programmes, are among the recommendations to improve existing support structures.
The financial challenges of raising a family are another significant barrier to higher fertility. The NCPE's study advocates for a review of Malta's taxation system to introduce more family-friendly measures based on the number of dependents to encourage bigger families. It also proposes increasing childbirth and adoption bonuses, alongside greater support for affordable housing, particularly for low-income earners to secure their first home. Additional support should be given to those families who have more than one child.
Other recommendations include expanding family support services such as relationship counselling and fertility education. The government could offer fertility education and consultations through online platforms to help address the low birth rate and introduce a "Speed Premium" to encourage closer spacing of births, through the increase of the proposed six months paid parental leave to at least twelve months.
The NCPE urges the development a National Strategy for Family Support, led by a dedicated task force and underpinned by clear objectives and measurable targets. Malta's declining fertility rate requires a united effort across policy, culture, and society. The NCPE's recommendations provide a framework toward achieving better work-life balance for families.
The NCPE acknowledges that many of the said recommendations are included in the Social Plan for the Family 2025-2030 recently launched. These measures cover improved working conditions, affordable housing, fairer tax rates, enhanced social benefits, a better natural environment for families, and improved access to healthcare and medical treatments. This Social Plan also aims at boosting fertility rates.
The National Commission for the Promotion of Equality (NCPE) can be contacted on: 2276 8200, [email protected] or NCPE's social media platforms (Facebook, Instagram, X, and LinkedIn - NCPE.Malta)