While Malta's economy is growing, not everyone is able to keep up. And this is not in reference just to those who have fallen on hard times, though they have it far harder. 7.8% of people aged 18 or over who declared to be at work (employed or self-employed) in the Malta were at risk of poverty in 2024, according to figures published by Eurostat.

While this percentage is slightly lower than the EU average, it is still a worrying figure. If people working jobs are considered to be at risk of poverty, that is something that should cause concern.

It is also evident that costs are on the minds of many. Indeed a recent Eurobarometer survey showed that rising prices, inflation and the cost of living is the most important issue the country is facing for people.

There are international factors which Malta has no control over. International situations took their toll and resulted in price increases, as does the fact that Malta is not connected to mainland Europe, meaning extra transport costs. But then there is the issue of high property prices for properties which are growing smaller.

As an example of rising costs, there was even an upward adjustment to the recommended retail prices of milk products recently.

The government's reduction in taxes in recent years will help of course, but the concerns of high prices and the ability for people to keep up is one thing that surely needs to be monitored, and further mitigation measures might be needed.

The housing market situation, for instance, is intrinsically tied to the population growth which, in turn, is tied to the country's economic model. Modifying the economic model could start the ball rolling in bringing about change. As things stand, the idea of purchasing a home is unreachable for many young people, and this is a major problem. It also has an impact on people's decision to start a family, given the cost tied to purchasing bigger properties. This issue, tied with Malta's limited space, is a major challenge the country faces right now. It cannot build more than in does currently, as it would eat up too much space and cause further infrastructural issues, but at the same time prices are too high. This is why an economic model shift to focus on higher-quality jobs which require a smaller workforce is needed.

But changing the economic model will also require educating and up-skilling the current workforce so that they would be able to take up opportunities that would be created.

There are other things that can also be done. More support to reduce the costs related to importation of goods, for example, is another way which could help bring prices down locally. By adding more medicines to the government formulary list, it could significantly reduce the cost burden of medicines for those who need them.

There will always be those who cannot keep up for one reason or another, and the government should continuously aim to help those who start falling behind stand on their own two feet again, and support those who cannot. Continued government aid to organisations which also aim to support those who need help is also important, as many of them provide services which either complement those offered by the government, or which the government does not offer.