The President of the Republic of Malta, Myriam Spiteri Debono, concluded Friday's State of the Nation conference with an address that centred around Malta's diminishing birthrate.

The 2026 State of the Nation conference held the theme of the population of Malta and our nation in 50 years' time, in 2076. The greatest demographic challenge of our time is widely pointed towards Malta's record-low fertility rate of 1.01 live births per woman in 2024 - an EU-low and an all-time low mark for Malta.

Closing off Friday's event, President Spiteri Debono dedicated her concluding remarks to this challenge.

The President remarked that from the 4,368 births registered in Malta in 2025, 5.8% of them were IVF babies, i.e., newborns born thanks to IVF procedures.

She referred to this proportion of IVF babies as significant given Malta's context and appealed for the country to not draw a line here.

She said that many couples between 26-35 years of age want to have children so desperately that they are opting for scientific means to grow their family. The President contrasted this by acknowledging that among many young people, there exists "a certain unwillingness for them to have children."

Hence, she said that incentives to curb this demographic trend have been discussed. She also mentioned that Singapore has recently rolled out generous cash incentives, though remarked that there is no guarantee that this lucrative programme will even work out. Singapore made headlines recently when it announced that each birth will grant families with a package equivalent to some $55,000 (USD), beginning with a cash payment of $7,000 at birth and continuing with annual payments until the child turns 16.

President Spiteri Debono concluded that "beyond population, statistics, and demography, a nation is built by its people, and we must never stop investing in our people, in the upcoming generations, and give them solid values..."

Alex Borg focuses on Fenech verdict, says this reflects the state of the nation

Opposition leader Alex Borg also spoke on Friday's State of the Nation conference, though he focused solely on the consequences of Yorgen Fenech's "not guilty" verdict and this present situation. He said that this was topical to the conference, as "when you see everything experienced in the jury, this reflects on the state of the nation."

During this speech, Borg called for the recommendations from the Daphne Caruana Galizia public inquiry to be implemented within a clear timeline.

He stated that Wednesday's verdict must be respected, as it is vital for the judiciary's independence and the presumption of innocence to be safeguarded in any democracy.

Borg said that to look towards Malta's future, one can speak about economic growth and other findings from this year's State of the Nation survey, however, the nation must be analysed from all aspects such as people's trust in national institutions, seeing that journalists have the liberty to investigate comfortably and without hindrance, and by guaranteeing that the law is applied equally to all.

Borg stated that with justice for Daphne Caruana Galizia still pending almost nine years later as a result of this week's court decision, "Malta is left with an open wound at the heart of its democracy."

He criticised how Castille was one of the places of note during Fenech's trial when it should serve as a national symbol, the highest level of public service, and act as a place where the law is defended and the national interest is safeguarded.

The PN leader reminded that, according to the conclusions from the Daphne Caruana Galizia public inquiry, the State had to bear responsibility for creating a culture of impunity that facilitated her assassination. "That conclusion must not remain shelved in this report. It must be the starting point the democratic reforms that our country needs," he said.

He said that when police, the public service, regulators, and public entities become an extension of the party in government, then the problem has begun and power is being held onto instead of being safeguarded.

Borg said that the true state of Malta cannot be recognised without acknowledging all the people who are scared to report abuse because they are scared no-one will protect them; or how citizens need to know particular people to get something they need.

He added that Malta is not only defined by the wealth it creates, but by the justice it guarantees as well, and "this is the Malta we want to build."

Prime Minister Abela repeats appeal to let institutions work, mentions Malta's 'AI-friendly' potential

Prime Minister Robert Abela used the first part of his address to call for caution and prudence in regard to the Fenech trial and bring up democratic reforms installed by his administration. He used the second half of his speech to discuss Malta's potential to be the most AI-friendly country in Europe and in its need to invest strongly in education.

The Prime Minister appealed that this case should not be used for political gain by anyone, as this would be detrimental to the country, families, and businesses, he reasoned.

He said that Malta will continue building on the good foundations laid out over previous years.

Abela stated that Malta must remain ready to address the challenges to come with technological change in the coming years, including with the uptake of artificial intelligence technologies. He called for the country to use digital technologies ethically in this ever-changing world, stating that AI should not be utilised to eliminate people's creativity, as an example. He stressed that in his view, everyone should be granted the same opportunities.

Discussing Malta's economic growth, Abela said that Malta's economy grew because large incentives were provided to the private sector, which was coupled by many young people finding jobs within professional services and the financial sector. He added that the latter reduced the need for foreign workers to immigrate to Malta for work, as thousands have in other sectors.

Noting that Malta "is garnering the most sustainable economic growth from all EU countries," Abela said that they key to having better quality of life lies in the economy. He added that Malta must also strongly invest in its education, including in vocational education.

"We have children and youths we want to assist so that no-one falls behind in their educational development," PM Abela said.