Opposition Leader Alex Borg said on Sunday that Budget 2027 must address Malta's long-term challenges through a clear vision for the country's future, with greater investment in education, productivity and infrastructure, rather than continued reliance on population growth to sustain the economy.

Speaking during a PN activity in Żebbuġ, Borg questioned whether the economic model pursued by the Labour government was delivering meaningful improvements to people's everyday lives.

He said that, during meetings with social partners and businesses ahead of the Budget, he had noticed a change in the government's message compared with the period before the election.

Before the election, the government had promised financial assistance and incentives, often responding to PN proposals with larger commitments. Now, businesses were being told that spending needed to be restrained, he said.

Borg said the public deserved to be given the full picture of the country's economic situation, including its achievements and shortcomings.

He compared this to a company chief executive who would be expected to explain both positive results and problems requiring attention.

Borg acknowledged Malta's economic growth, which he attributed to the hard work of employees and businesses willing to invest and take risks.

However, he questioned whether that growth was translating into better wages, improved services and greater opportunities for children.

"When a parent arrives home late and has no time to enjoy being with their children, the GDP does not explain that," he said.

He added that businesses are working harder without necessarily seeing their profits increase.

Referring to the latest EY survey, Borg welcomed the finding that 81% of investors continued to consider Malta an attractive investment destination.

However, he said maintaining that confidence required investment in infrastructure, skills and reliable services.

He highlighted survey findings showing that 69% of businesses were experiencing difficulties finding workers with the necessary skills.

Borg said the country's economic development had to begin in classrooms, calling for greater investment in educators and the national curriculum.

He also referred to Malta's performance in the PISA assessments, saying Maltese and Gozitan students were performing below the international average in reading, mathematics and science.

Borg said education needed to become a central economic priority if Malta wanted to improve productivity and competitiveness.

He also said that 57% of respondents considered Malta's infrastructure inadequate.

Borg said recurrent government expenditure had continued increasing while capital investment in infrastructure had declined.

He questioned the sustainability of an economic model that depended heavily on increasing the population.

Borg said maintaining annual economic growth of 4% would require approximately 14,000 additional people entering the country each year, while growth of 3% would require between 6,000 and 7,000.

He also referred to figures indicating that real productivity had declined by 0.9%.

Citing the Chamber of Commerce pre-Budget document, Borg said gross value added had increased by 82%, but around 70% of that increase was attributable to population growth, while productivity accounted for just 3%.

"Instead of moving towards added value, we moved towards added volume," he said.

He added that a Chamber of Commerce survey showed that 55% of responding businesses had increased their activity and sales but experienced lower profits.

Borg also criticised the government's handling of traffic congestion, referring to a recent traffic index indicating that motorists in Malta spent approximately 94 hours annually stuck in traffic.

He said this represented time lost with families and questioned whether the government's Malta in Motion initiative would deliver meaningful improvements.

Borg also referred to previous government promises concerning a metro system and differing statements by ministers about the project's affordability and readiness.

He said the PN had already presented a feasible mass transport proposal and criticised the government for failing to provide a clear direction.

Referring to National Statistics Office figures, Borg said approximately 80 additional vehicles were entering Malta's roads every day during the second quarter of this year.

Looking ahead to Monday's Budget, Borg outlined the priorities he believed the government should address.

The first was a renewed commitment to education, linking educational outcomes more closely with the country's economic needs.

Another priority is helping existing businesses become more productive through artificial intelligence, digitalisation, technology and automation.

Thirdly, Borg called for clearer support for entrepreneurs, start-ups and Maltese companies seeking to expand internationally, saying businesses should be encouraged to compete beyond Malta.

Another priority concerned greater direction and discipline in capital investment, particularly in energy, water, roads and public services.

He said the first Budget following the announcement of Vision 2050 should reflect a long-term strategy rather than focus solely on immediate measures.

Borg also addressed criticism directed towards him, saying that attacks only encouraged him to work harder.

He said his ambition was not simply to lead an alternative government but to provide a better government than the present administration.

Shadow minister for the economy Darren Carabott questioned how much further Malta's population and tourism numbers could grow.

He referred to projections suggesting that the population could reach 720,000 within nine years, while annual tourist arrivals could increase from 4.5 million to 6.5 million.

Carabott said such growth would require thousands of additional healthcare professionals and place further pressure on hospitals, schools and roads.

He also expressed concern about Malta's national debt, which is approximately €12 billion, and said the country needed economic growth based on quality rather than quantity.

Shadow Minister for finance Adrian Delia criticised what he described as contradictory messages from Prime Minister Robert Abela and Finance Minister Clyde Caruana ahead of the Budget.

Delia said the government was presenting different accounts of the country's financial situation and questioned how families and businesses could plan with confidence.