Grand Harbour area has highest rate of unmarried parents

Unmarried parents constitute the majority of parents in four Maltese towns, namely: Bormla, Valletta, Floriana and Isla.

In Bormla, 59% of all parents are either single, separated, widowed or divorced. 

This emerges from a MaltaToday analysis of statistics presented in parliament, documenting the number of children's allowance recipients - a benefit received by all parents in Malta and Gozo. 

The statistics show that the only northern locality in the 10 localities with the highest number of unmarried parents is St Paul's Bay. In this locality - known for attracting separated parents because of a greater availability of rented properties - 38% of parents are unmarried.

While the depressed harbour area has the highest number of unmarried parents, relatively high rates are also registered in more affluent but heterogeneous localities, like Sliema and St Julians.

For example, while 30% of all parents in Sliema and St Julian's are unmarried, only 23% of parents in Fgura and Zejtun and 22% of parents in Tarxien are in the same situation.

But lower rates are registered in more homogenous, affluent middle-class localities like Swieqi (19%), Lija (13%) and Attard (12%).

But the lowest rates of unmarried parents are registered in rural localities, especially those in Gozo.

The lowest percentage of unmarried parents in Malta is found in rural Dingli and the fishing village of Marsaxlokk. Gozitan localities register the lowest percentages of single parents.

But even in Gozo one finds a number of differences. Higher figures are registered in the regional hubs of Rabat (16%) and Nadur (15%) while only 8% of parents are unmarried in smaller settlements like San Lawrenz, Kercem and Sannat.

A class divide?

Statistics also confirm that unmarried parents are poorer than married parents.

While 39% of those earning less than €24,000 are unmarried, only 5.3% of those earning more than €24,000 are unmarried.

This is not surprising, in view of the fact that unmarried parents generally rely on one source of income,  while married couples can rely on two.

But even among those earning more than €24,000, one finds a number of significant regional differences.

The highest rates of unmarried parents within this category are found in Sliema, Ta' Xbiex, St Paul's Bay and St Julians.

On the other hand, lower rates among people earning more €24,000 are registered in working class localities like Kalkara (1.7%) and Ghaxaq (1.3%).