EU-SILC 2025: Salient Indicators
As from the 2024 EU‑SILC wave, a methodological improvement was introduced to better represent the resident population by citizenship through separate calibration of Maltese and foreign residents. This allows, for the first time, the dissemination of selected key indicators for both the total population and Maltese citizens. However, due to sampling and reliability limitations, detailed breakdowns for the foreign population cannot be published.
The breakdown by citizenship presented in this news release is available for the 2024 and 2025 waves, and comparisons with earlier EU‑SILC data should be made with caution. Further methodological information is provided in the press information notice published on 30 March 2026.
The breakdown by citizenship presented in this news release is available for the 2024 and 2025 waves, and comparisons with earlier EU‑SILC data should be made with caution. Further methodological information is provided in the press information notice published on 30 March 2026.
- The at-risk-of-poverty threshold (ARPT) derived from EU-SILC 2025 was of €13,220.34.
- In 2025, the number of at-risk-of-poverty persons living in private households was estimated at 16.9 per cent of the target population, remaining the same as in 2024.
- From EU-SILC 2025, the at-risk-of-poverty or social exclusion rate (AROPE) stood at 19.4 per cent, thus registering a decrease of 0.2 percentage points from 2024.
EU-SILC 2025: Salient Indicators
EU-SILC 2025: Salient Indicators
As from the 2024 EU‑SILC wave, a methodological improvement was introduced to better represent the resident population by citizenship through separate calibration of Maltese and foreign residents. This allows, for the first time, the dissemination of selected key indicators for both the total population and Maltese citizens. However, due to sampling and reliability limitations, detailed breakdowns for the foreign population cannot be published.
The breakdown by citizenship presented in this news release is available for the 2024 and 2025 waves, and comparisons with earlier EU‑SILC data should be made with caution. Further methodological information is provided in the press information notice published on 30 March 2026.
The breakdown by citizenship presented in this news release is available for the 2024 and 2025 waves, and comparisons with earlier EU‑SILC data should be made with caution. Further methodological information is provided in the press information notice published on 30 March 2026.
Introduction
The European Statistics on Income and Living Conditions (EU-SILC) survey is an annual enquiry conducted by the National Statistics Office (NSO) among persons residing in private households in Malta and Gozo. Its aim is to collect comparable data on income, health and wellbeing, employment, and material deprivation.
European statistics on material deprivation are based on the perceived capacity, or otherwise, of households to afford a number of items from a set of 13 standard items. From these components, two major constructs are derived, being the Material and Social Deprivation (MSD), and the Severe Material and Social Deprivation (SMSD) indicator. In 2025, the MSD rate stood at 8.7 per cent, whereas the SMSD rate stood at 4.1 per cent.
Income statistics refer to calendar year 2024, while non-income components refer to calendar year 2025, which is the data collection year.
Household Income
For the income reference year 2024, the average gross household income was estimated at €50,594. On the other hand, the estimate for the average disposable household income was €40,300. Disposable income is defined as the amount of money available to households for spending purposes, after deducting taxes, social contributions, and alimonies (Table 1).
Employment income made up 82.3 per cent of the total gross household income for 2024. The share of social benefits (including old-age benefits) for 2024 stood at 13.9 per cent (Table 2, Chart 1).
Notes:
- Refer to methodological note 7 for details on methodological changes implemented in the EU-SILC following the 2021 Census of Population and Housing.
- Refer to methodological note 8 for details on break-in-time series.
National Equivalised Income (NEI)
The National Equivalised Income (NEI) is defined as the household’s total disposable income divided by its ‘equivalent size’ (also referred to as consumption units). The NEI takes into account the size and age distribution of household members. The Gini coefficient is one of the measures of income inequality that varies between 0 and 100 per cent. A Gini coefficient of 0 per cent indicates a perfectly equal distribution of income. On the other hand, a Gini coefficient of 100 per cent indicates that there is full inequality of income.
The S80/S20 ratio, which compares the average NEI of the highest and lowest 20 per cent income earners, was calculated at 4.5 (Table 1).
The Gini coefficient for Malta as derived from EU-SILC 2025, decreased by 2.1 percentage points to 29.2 per cent, when compared to the previous year (Table 1).
Monetary Poverty (ARP)
The at-risk-of-poverty (ARP) rate defines the number of persons with an equivalised disposable income below the at-risk-of-poverty threshold (ARPT), which is set at 60% of the national median equivalised disposable income after social transfers. Consequently, EU-SILC respondents whose NEI falls below this threshold are considered to be at-risk-of-poverty.
The ARPT derived from EU-SILC 2025 was estimated at €13,220, 11.8 per cent higher when compared to the previous year (Table 1).
Based on the income reference year 2024, the number of persons at-risk-of-poverty living in Malta was estimated at 95,157, corresponding to 16.9 per cent of the total target population. When considering Maltese citizens living in private households, 57,253 persons were at-risk-of-poverty, representing 14.4 per cent of this population (Table 3).
The ARP rate for males and females was calculated at 16.8 and 17.0 per cent respectively, with an increase (1.6 percentage points) being registered for males and a decrease (1.8 percentage points) being registered for females, when compared to the previous year. The ARP rate among persons below 18 years of age was calculated at 20.8 per cent, decreasing by 2.9 percentage points from the previous year. On the other hand, an increase of 0.5 percentage points was observed for persons between 18 and 64 years, bringing the ARP rate for this cohort up to 12.9 per cent. Similarly, the rate for those persons aged 65 years and over increased by 0.4 percentage points to 28.9 per cent (Table 3).
The ARP rate for households with and without dependent children was calculated at 15.1 and 18.3 per cent, respectively (Chart 2). Members of single person households with one or more dependent children were noted to be more susceptible to being at-risk-of-poverty, with 46.1 per cent of these having an equivalised disposable income below the ARPT. Members of one person households were also more prone to being at-risk-of-poverty (Table 4).
Notes:
- Refer to methodological note 7 for details on methodological changes implemented in the EU-SILC following the 2021 Census of Population and Housing.
- Refer to methodological note 8 for details on break-in-time series.
- Figures for EU-SILC 2024 have been revised.
The ARP rate among persons living in households with at least one member aged 0-64 years decreased as household work intensity increased. Indeed, 82.7 per cent of persons living in households with very low work intensity were found to be at-risk-of-poverty, compared to 7.7 per cent of persons living in households with very high work intensity. When analysed by citizenship, a similar pattern can be observed, with the ARP rate for Maltese persons also decreasing as household work intensity increases (Table 5).
An increase was recorded in the at-risk-of-poverty rate for employed, retired, and other inactive persons during the income reference year, when compared to the previous EU-SILC (refer to methodological note 4) (Table 6).
At district level, the distribution of persons under ARPT was uneven across the Maltese Islands, with the Southern Harbour district having the largest share of ARP persons followed by the Northern district. On the other hand, the South Eastern district registered the lowest ARP rate (Map 1).
Map 1. Distribution of the at-risk-of-poverty (ARP) rate by district
Notes:
- Refer to methodological note 7 for details on methodological changes implemented in the EU-SILC following the 2021 Census of Population and Housing.
- Refer to methodological note 8 for details on break-in-time series.
When all social transfers, including pensions, are excluded, the at-risk-of-poverty rate for 2025 increases by 15.4 percentage points, or 86,923 persons (Table 7). This illustrates the importance of social welfare in assisting the most vulnerable persons in society.
The relative median at-risk-of-poverty gap shows, on average, how much the income of persons at-risk-of-poverty falls below the poverty threshold. A lower value indicates that the median income of persons at-risk-of-poverty is closer to the at-risk-of-poverty threshold, while a higher value reflects a greater distance from the threshold. In EU-SILC 2025, the relative median at-risk-of-poverty gap was estimated at 22.5 per cent, representing a decrease of 2.2 percentage points compared to the previous EU-SILC survey (Table 8).
Material and Social Deprivation Indicators
The Material and Social Deprivation indicators are based on 13 deprivation items, of which seven items relate to the person’s household, and six items relate to the persons themselves. The list of components was adopted by the EU Member States in 2017 (refer to methodological note 5). From this set of items, two major indicators are obtained, namely the Material and Social Deprivation (MSD) and the Severe Material and Social Deprivation (SMSD).
A person living in a household is deemed to be materially and socially deprived if this person does not afford at least five of the 13 items, whereas those who do not afford at least seven of these items are considered to be severely materially and socially deprived. In EU-SILC 2025, the MSD rate stood at 8.7 per cent, whereas the SMSD rate stood at 4.1 per cent, a decrease of 0.3 and 0.2 percentage points respectively, when compared to EU-SILC 2024 (Table 9, Chart 3).
Notes:
- Refer to methodological note 7 for details on methodological changes implemented in the EU-SILC following the 2021 Census of Population and Housing.
- Refer to methodological note 8 for details on break-in-time series.
- Figures for EU-SILC 2024 have been revised.
With reference to specific household deprivation items, 27.6 per cent of the surveyed population stated that their household could not afford to pay for a one-week annual holiday away from home. This was followed by 18.7 per cent of respondents declaring that their household would not be able to settle an unexpected financial expense of around €950. On the contrary, only 2.8 per cent of respondents indicated that their household does not afford to own a car (Table 9, Chart 4A).
With reference to specific personal deprivation items, 11.5 per cent of respondents stated that they were not able to afford to participate in a leisure activity on a regular basis. It was also reported that 10.0 per cent of respondents were not able to afford to spend a small amount of money on themselves. On the other hand, only 4.0 per cent of respondents were not capable of replacing worn-out clothes with some new ones (Table 9, Chart 4B).
Notes:
- Refer to methodological note 7 for details on methodological changes implemented in the EU-SILC following the 2021 Census of Population and Housing.
- Refer to methodological note 8 for details on break-in-time series.
- Figures for EU-SILC 2024 have been revised.
At-Risk-of-Poverty or Social Exclusion Indicator
The AROPE rate defines the proportion/number of persons who are either at-risk-of-poverty, or severely materially and socially deprived, or living in households with very low work intensity (applicable only for persons aged 0-64 years). The greatest contributing factor of AROPE in EU-SILC 2025 was from persons who were at-risk-of-poverty, with 16.9 per cent (Chart 5).
In EU-SILC 2025, the number of at-risk-of-poverty or socially excluded persons living in Malta was estimated at 109,292, corresponding to 19.4 per cent of the total target population. When considering Maltese citizens living in private households, 68,434 persons were at-risk-of-poverty or social exclusion, representing 17.2 per cent of this population (Table 10).
Notes:
- Refer to methodological note 7 for details on methodological changes implemented in the EU-SILC following the 2021 Census of Population and Housing.
- Refer to methodological note 8 for details on break-in-time series.
- Figures for EU-SILC 2024 have been revised.
At district level, once again the Southern Harbour district registered the highest rate of AROPE, at 26.2 per cent. The lowest AROPE rate was also recorded in the South Eastern district at 15.2 per cent (Map 2).
Chart 6 provides a comparison between the growth indices of the ARPT, the ARP rate, and the AROPE rate.
Notes:
- Refer to methodological note 7 for details on methodological changes implemented in the EU-SILC following the 2021 Census of Population and Housing.
- Refer to methodological note 8 for details on break-in-time series.
- Figures for EU-SILC 2024 have been revised.
Map 2. Distribution of the at-risk-of-poverty or social exclusion (AROPE) rate by district
Notes:
- Refer to methodological note 7 for details on methodological changes implemented in the EU-SILC following the 2021 Census of Population and Housing.
- Refer to methodological note 8 for details on break-in-time series.
Well-Being Characteristics
On a scale from zero to 10, where zero represents not satisfied at all, and 10 represents completely satisfied, respondents at-risk-of-poverty or social exclusion reported lower average scores with regard to their satisfaction with overall life, financial situation and personal relationships. The same average score was reported for satisfaction with current job.
Average scores for all satisfaction variables in relation to at-risk-of-poverty or social exclusion were higher in 2025, when compared to the previous year. Particularly, in 2025 respondents in AROPE reported a mean score of 7.3 for overall life satisfaction, registering an increase of 0.1 percentage point, a mean score of 6.5 for financial situation satisfaction, registering an increase of 0.2 percentage points, a mean score of 7.9 for current job satisfaction, registering an increase of 0.5 percentage points, and a mean score of 8.6 for personal relationship satisfaction, registering an increase of 0.1 percentage point (Table 11).
Tables
Tables
As from the 2024 EU‑SILC wave, a methodological improvement was introduced to better represent the resident population by citizenship through separate calibration of Maltese and foreign residents. This allows, for the first time, the dissemination of selected key indicators for both the total population and Maltese citizens. However, due to sampling and reliability limitations, detailed breakdowns for the foreign population cannot be published.
The breakdown by citizenship presented in this news release is available for the 2024 and 2025 waves, and comparisons with earlier EU‑SILC data should be made with caution. Further methodological information is provided in the press information notice published on 30 March 2026.
The breakdown by citizenship presented in this news release is available for the 2024 and 2025 waves, and comparisons with earlier EU‑SILC data should be made with caution. Further methodological information is provided in the press information notice published on 30 March 2026.
Methodological Notes
The equivalised disposable income of a household (also referred to as national equivalised income) is defined as the household’s total disposable income divided by its “equivalent household size”. The computation of the equivalised disposable income takes into account all the income generated by the household members, as well as the size and composition of the selected household. For example, a household with two adults and two children aged less than 14 would have an equivalised household size of 2.1, which is calculated as follows:
If the total disposable income earned by the household is €20,000, then the household equivalised income would result in (€20,000/2.1) = €9,523.
While the household disposable income computation is carried out at the household level, this variable is assigned to every individual in the EU-SILC sample for the computation of EU-SILC indicators.
In 2017, a set of new Material and Social Deprivation (MSD) indicators were adopted by all the European Union (EU) Member States. The new indicators are the Material and Social deprivation (MSD) indicator and the Severe Material and Social Deprivation (SMSD) indicator. These indicators are based on 13 items: 7 household items and 6 personal items.
7. Following the 2021 Census of Population and Housing, EU-SILC was benchmarked with updated demographic estimates derived from this census. With the availability of the census, it became possible to apply separate calibration weights for Maltese and foreigners within the EU-SILC, starting from reference year 2023. This updated methodology ensured that the distribution by broad citizenship category in the survey population aligned with the census.
EU-SILC uses regularly updates population and household estimates for the calculation of the cross-sectional weights and the calibration of survey data with population and household estimates. For EU-SILC 2024, an refined version of the population and household estimates based on administrative data sources was used. In view of these updates, further refinements were also made to the weighting methodology, including adjustments to the household size classification structure as well as a more detailed breakdown of the foreign population into EU and Non-EU foreigners. These refinements led to a revision of the survey weights, and consequently, the figures published in this news release contain revised data for EU-SILC 2024.
An analysis was conducted, through several simulations, to re-estimate the headline indicators to assess the impact this change in methodology had on the estimates prior to 2023. The headline indicators are the core indicators produced as part of the EU-SILC and include the at-risk-of-poverty and social exclusion rate (AROPE), the at-risk-of-poverty rate (ARP), measures of material and social deprivation (MSD), and low work intensity (LWI). The analysis showed that, while the update adjusted the weighted counts, it did not significantly impact the estimate of the headline indicators, which remained consistent with those produced prior to the change and within the margin of error. Consequently, following consultation with Eurostat, an imminent revision of the time-series was not deemed necessary to ensure full adherence with EU Regulation (2019/1700). Revisions, as already discussed, took place only for 2024. Estimates of the headline indicators produced from 2023 onwards are therefore considered comparable with the previous time-series.
Due to the impact the change had on the weighted counts individually for foreign and Maltese nationals, caution must be taken when making comparisons between household and individual counts estimated from 2023 onwards, with counts estimated in previous years.
We encourage all users to consult with the NSO when using time-series data from the EU-SILC survey to ensure accurate interpretation of the results.
8. Following the 2021 Census of Population and Housing, EU-SILC was benchmarked with updated demographic estimates derived from this census. With the availability of the census, it became possible to apply separate calibration weights for Maltese and foreigners within the EU-SILC, starting from reference year 2023. While this updated methodology ensured that the distribution by broad citizenship category in the survey population aligned with the census, estimates of some secondary indicators were significantly impacted by the change in methodology. Secondary indicators are those indicators that are not part of the core set of headline indicators produced from the EU-SILC. Since a revision of the time-series prior to the update in 2023 has not been conducted, these indicators are not considered fully comparable to estimates produced prior to 2023, and therefore a break-in-time-series has occurred.
We encourage all users to consult with the NSO when using time-series data from the EU-SILC survey to ensure accurate interpretation of the results.
9. Sampling variability of main SILC 2025 indicators:
| Estimate | margin of error at 95% confidence interval |
95% confidence interval | ||
| At-risk-of-poverty | 95,157 | 10,186 | 95,157 ± 10,186 | |
| At-risk-of-poverty rate (%) | Total | 16.9 | 1.8 | 16.9 ± 1.8 |
| Males | 16.8 | 2.0 | 16.8 ± 2.0 | |
| Females | 17.0 | 2.1 | 17.0 ± 2.1 | |
| 0-17 | 20.8 | 4.7 | 20.8 ± 4.7 | |
| 18-64 | 12.9 | 1.7 | 12.9 ± 1.7 | |
| 65+ | 28.9 | 3.2 | 28.9 ± 3.2 | |
| Material and social deprivation | 49,053 | 8,664 | 49,053± 8,664 | |
| Material and social deprivation rate (%) | Total | 8.7 | 1.5 | 8.7 ± 1.5 |
| Males | 8.0 | 1.6 | 8.0 ± 1.6 | |
| Females | 9.5 | 2.0 | 9.5 ± 2.0 | |
| 0-17 | 11.8 | 3.8 | 11.8 ± 3.8 | |
| 18-64 | 8.8 | 1.7 | 8.8 ± 1.7 | |
| 65+ | 5.8 | 1.4 | 5.8 ± 1.4 | |
| Severe material and social deprivation | 23,233 | 5,872 | 23,233 ± 5,872 | |
| Severe material and social deprivation rate (%) | Total | 4.1 | 1.0 | 4.1 ± 1.0 |
| Males | 3.7 | 1.1 | 3.7 ± 1.1 | |
| Females | 4.6 | 1.3 | 4.6 ± 1.3 | |
| 0-17 | 5.6 | 2.4 | 5.6 ± 2.4 | |
| 18-64 | 4.2 | 1.2 | 4.2 ± 1.2 | |
| 65+ | 2.6 | 0.9 | 2.6 ± 0.9 | |
| Low work intensity | 18,768 | 4,902 | 18,768 ± 4,902 | |
| Low work intensity rate (%) | Total | 4.2 | 1.1 | 4.2 ± 1.1 |
| Males | 3.6 | 1.1 | 3.6 ± 1.1 | |
| Females | 4.8 | 1.5 | 4.8 ± 1.5 | |
| 0-17 | 5.2 | 2.2 | 5.2 ± 2.2 | |
| 18-64 | 3.9 | 1.0 | 3.9 ± 1.0 | |
| At-risk-of-poverty or social exclusion | 109,292 | 10,824 | 109,292 ± 10,824 | |
| At-risk-of-poverty or social exclusion rate (%) | Total | 19.4 | 1.9 | 19.4 ± 1.9 |
| Males | 19.2 | 2.1 | 19.2 ± 2.1 | |
| Females | 19.6 | 2.3 | 19.6 ± 2.3 | |
| 0-17 | 23.3 | 4.9 | 23.3 ± 4.9 | |
| 18-64 | 15.7 | 1.9 | 15.7 ± 1.9 | |
| 65+ | 30.3 | 3.3 | 30.3 ± 3.3 | |
| At-risk-of-poverty by household type | 95,157 | 10,186 | 95,157 ± 10,186 | |
| At-risk-of-poverty rate (%) | Household without dependent children | 18.3 | 2.0 | 18.3 ± 2.0 |
| One person household, under 65 years | 34.6 | 4.8 | 34.6 ± 4.8 | |
| One person household, 65 years and over | 35.9 | 5.5 | 35.9 ± 5.5 | |
| 2 adults, no dependent children, both under 65 years | 4.6 | 1.8 | 4.6 ± 1.8 | |
| 2 adults, no dependent children, at least one adult 65 years or more | 33.5 | 4.7 | 33.5 ± 4.7 | |
| Other households without dependent children | 6.9 | 3.7 | 6.9 ± 3.7 | |
| Household with dependent children | 15.1 | 3.3 | 15.1 ± 3.3 | |
| Single person household, one or more dependent children | 46.1 | 12.7 | 46.1 ± 12.7 | |
| 2 adults, one dependent child | 7.4 | 3.6 | 7.4 ± 3.6 | |
| 2 adults, two dependent children | 15.0 | 5.9 | 15.0 ± 5.9 | |
| 2 adults, three or more dependent children | 24.4 | 11.8 | 24.4 ± 11.8 | |
| Other households with one or more dependent children | 10.4 | 6.4 | 10.4 ± 6.4 | |
| At-risk-of-poverty or social exclusion by household type | 109,292 | 10,824 | 109,292 ± 10,824 | |
| At-risk-of-poverty or social exclusion rate (%) | Household without dependent children | 20.7 | 2.0 | 20.7 ± 2.0 |
| One person household, under 65 years | 36.6 | 4.9 | 36.6 ± 4.9 | |
| One person household, 65 years and over | 37.4 | 5.5 | 37.4 ± 5.5 | |
| 2 adults, no dependent children, both under 65 years | 7.4 | 3.0 | 7.4 ± 3.0 | |
| 2 adults, no dependent children, at least one adult 65 years or more | 36.5 | 4.7 | 36.5 ± 4.7 | |
| Other households without dependent children | 9.1 | 3.8 | 9.1 ± 3.8 | |
| Household with dependent children | 17.7 | 3.6 | 17.7 ± 3.6 | |
| Single person household, one or more dependent children | 47.6 | 12.7 | 47.6 ± 12.7 | |
| 2 adults, one dependent child | 9.4 | 3.9 | 9.4 ± 3.9 | |
| 2 adults, two dependent children | 15.2 | 5.9 | 15.2 ± 5.9 | |
| 2 adults, three or more dependent children | 27.0 | 12.0 | 27.0 ± 12.0 | |
| Other households with one or more dependent children | 14.8 | 7.3 | 14.8 ± 7.3 |
1. less than 20 reporting households; or
2. the non-response for the item concerned exceeds 50 per cent.
[ ] Figures to be used with caution: figures based on between 20 and 49 reporting households or figures with item non-response ranging between 20 per cent and 50 per cent.
