Figures published by the National Statistics Office and Eurostat reveal a substantial decline in the number of individuals at risk of poverty or social exclusion in Malta, the Social Policy Ministry said Wednesday.
Between 2024 and 2025, the rate of material and social exclusion among the Maltese population fell from 10% to 8.5%, representing 6,000 fewer people in this category. Those facing severe material deprivation also decreased from 5% to 3.7%, a reduction of 5,000 individuals.
The data highlights a positive trend in household income and wealth distribution. In 2025, the average disposable income for Maltese families rose to €44,216, an increase of over €4,200 from the previous year. Furthermore, income inequality saw a notable improvement, with the Gini coefficient dropping from 29.5% to 27.9%, indicating a more equitable distribution of wealth across the country.
A long-term comparison shows significant progress since 2014. While the poverty risk threshold was set at €7,672 eleven years ago, it has now nearly doubled to €13,220, the statement said.
Despite this much higher benchmark, the percentage of the population at risk of poverty has actually fallen from 15.9% in 2014 to 14.4% today. Most notably, the number of people with an equivalised income below €8,951 has plummeted from 107,000 to just 13,000 in the same period.
Social Policy and Children’s Rights Minister Michael Falzon attributed these results to robust economic growth, better wages, and strong social investment. He noted that the improvements are visible across all demographics, including children, the working-age population, and the elderly.
Minister Falzon stated that the figures reflect the creation of new employment opportunities and the increased participation of women in the workforce. He concluded by reaffirming the government’s commitment to strengthening the nation’s social fabric as Malta marks 70 years of social security.