A strong economy must remain a key pillar of national progress, but that progress should also be measured by how much people's quality of life is improving, Speaker of the House of Representatives Anġlu Farrugia said.

Addressing an event linked to the Wellbeing INDEX, Farrugia said that economic growth should translate into greater security, more opportunities, more dignity and stronger confidence in the future for all citizens.

He stressed that the progress of a society cannot be measured solely through productivity levels and financial figures, but also by how people are experiencing their everyday lives.

Farrugia said the wellbeing of a nation should reflect the strength of its communities, the fairness of its institutions and the real quality of life being enjoyed by its citizens.

The Speaker also pointed out that the analysis presented was based on concrete and reliable data. He noted that, through the work of the National Statistics Office, around 10,000 people are contacted and surveyed every year in order to provide a broader and more accurate picture of wellbeing in Malta.

He said this helps the country better understand today's social realities and enables Malta to continue strengthening its policies through a clearer understanding of people's needs.

Farrugia underlined that initiatives such as the Wellbeing INDEX are important because they broaden the national discussion on progress and place people at the centre of it.

He said the development of a modern country should be measured not only by how much it grows economically, but also by how strongly that growth is being felt in the daily lives of families and communities.

The conference was also addressed by President Emeritus Marie Louise Coleiro Preca, Economy Minister Silvio Schembri, Opposition spokesperson for the economy and enterprise Jerome Caruana Cilia, National Statistics Office director Matthew Zerafa, and University of Malta Pro-Rector Professor Valerie Sollars.

During the session, updates were also presented on the Wellbeing INDEX, including Malta's performance in global wellbeing measurements and the latest data on subjective wellbeing indicators in Malta, in presentations delivered by Professor Marie Briguglio and Natalia Mangion.