Over six per cent of Maltese affected by severe material deprivation

A survey by the National Statistics Office has revealed that 6.3 per cent of Maltese people were considered to be affected by severe material deprivation in 2011.

Severe material deprivation refers to the inability to afford four or more of the nine deprivation items, which include: unexpected financial expenses; one week's annual holiday away from home; mortgage or rent repayments, utility bills, hire purchase installments or other loan payments; having a meal with meat, chicken, fish or the vegetarian equivalent every other day; keeping the home warm in winter; a colour television; a telephone, including a mobile phone; a washing machine; and a car.

Severe material deprivation was observed to be highest among people living in single-parent households, making 23 per cent, and those in households with a work intensity of zero, making 16 per cent.

Meanwhile, 36 per cent of households said they were having difficulties making ends meet, while only eight per cent said they found it easy.

According to the survey, the at-risk-of-poverty rate in monetary terms stood at 15.4 per cent.

It was revealed that households spent a monthly average of €164 on housing costs, which include interest payments on mortgage, electricity, gas house insurance, maintenance and rent. Just over half the responding households said they considered these costs a heavy financial burden.

The most common concern with the main dwelling, reported by 41 per cent of households, was related to the incidence of pollution, grime or other environmental issues. This was followed by noise from neighbours or from the street, experienced by 31 per cent of households.

Amenities like telephones, televisions and washing machines were each available in over 96 per cent of households. A car was available in 83 per cent of households, and a computer in 73 per cent.

The number of households not affording to pay for a one-week annual holiday away from home exceeded the percentage of those affording to do so by almost 3 percentage points.

At 46 per cent, the most common dwelling type consisted of apartment blocks with less than 10 dwellings. The largest share of households, at 29 per cent, lived in dwellings with five rooms.

More than three-quarters of households were owners of their main dwelling. Of these, 22 per cent had an outstanding loan on their main dwelling.

Seventeen per cent of households lived in rented dwellings, spending an average €54 permonth on rent. This average stood at €82 among households with dependent children, and at €46 for households without dependent children.