In contrast to the other functions, whereby the specific need or risk (disability, old age,…) being covered is clearly defined, social protection benefits reported under the Social Exclusion function target those deemed as being in a ‘vulnerable’ situation. This could range from households living in poverty, individuals suffering from substance or alcohol abuse, and Third Country Nationals seeking refuge.
Salient Points
Overview: 2024
In comparison to 2023, Social Exclusion outlay rose by €24.2 million and accounted for 3.0 per cent of the total social protection.
€22.1 million rise in Social Security Non-Contributory Benefits was the catalyst behind the increase.
Social Security Non-Contributory Benefits: 2024
Expenditure amounted to €59.5 million, 59.0 per cent higher than the previous year.
The significant jump resulted from a €22.4 million increase in payments under the Additional COLA Household Mechanism, providing additional support to vulnerable households whose annual income falls below the national median.
Overall, 107,645 persons were in receipt of social exclusion benefits, 61.0 per cent being male.
The number of beneficiaries was equivalent to 18.7 per cent of the national population.
District-wise, the highest and lowest recipients-to-population ratios were registered in the Southern Harbour (261 beneficiaries for every 1,000 residents) and Northern districts (154 per 1,000 residents), respectively.
35.0 per cent of Valletta’s population were obtaining a social exclusion benefit, the highest between the localities. In contrast, the lowest share of 7.8 per cent was documented at Is-Swieqi.
Appoġġ: 2024
Spending towards services aiding destitute or vulnerable people reached €2.6 million, a €0.6 million rise from 2023.
Domestic Violence Unit continued to record the highest number of cases (2,882).
Sedqa: 2024
A 16.7 per cent growth in expenditure towards services supporting individuals struggling with substance or behavioural addictions.
Other schemes: 2024
€4.3 million towards Community Services under the remit of the Agency for Community and Therapeutic Services (ACTS), €0.7 million higher than the prior year.
A 5.5 per cent rise in spending earmarked for non-profit services aiding persons in danger of social exclusion, totalling €11.6 million.
€11.5 million for Detention Services, providing safe and secure housing for detained migrants and asylum seekers.
Tables
Maps
Methodological Notes
Social Security Non-Contributory Benefits
1. Expenditure towards social security benefits is collected through the Treasury’s Corporate Financial Management Solution (CFMS).
2. Beneficiaries’ data is obtained from the Department of Social Security’s (DSS) Unique Beneficiaries Report.
3. As beneficiaries may be in receipt of multiple benefits simultaneously, aggregates may not necessarily be equivalent to the sum of the corresponding benefits as these recipients will only be counted once.
APPOĠĠ
4. Financial statements documented by the Foundation for Social Welfare Services (FSWS) are used to collect annual expenses for Aġenzija Appoġġ.
5. Due to different target groups, social services provided by Appoġġ are split between multiple functions (Sickness, Disability, Family/Children and Social Exclusion n.e.c.). As outlay is only available as an aggregate, a pre-established ratio calculated from previous years is applied to allocate the total expenditure among the respective functions.
Sedqa
6. As is the case for Aġenzija Appoġġ (refer to note 4), annual expenses for Aġenzija Sedqa are obtained from the FSWS financial statements.
Non-Profit Institutions Serving Households
7. Various non-profit organisations offer support to vulnerable individuals and households undergoing difficult life situations, being at risk of poverty or social exclusion.
