Eurobarometer Survey finds migration is Malta's greatest concern

The European Commission Representation in Malta has published the National Report of the latest Standard Eurobarometer Survey.

The national report outlines the main findings of the survey that was carried out in November 2014, and covers a variety of topics which includes both personal and economic issues as well as the level of public trust in institutions and attitudes towards the EU.

According to the survey, overall, Maltese respondents have a very positive outlook, with 90% saying that they are satisfied with life in general. This places Malta at the sixth highest rate of satisfaction in the EU.

40% of respondents expect their life to get better in the next twelve months, a level of optimism which is the third highest in the EU (after the UK and Sweden respectively).

The survey revealed that one of the two main issues of concern for Maltese respondents is immigration. The issue was mentioned by 57% of the respondents, which gives Malta the highest percentage amongst EU countries, and it is well above the EU average of 18%.

Statistics show that immigration is also considered to be the most important issue facing the EU at the moment by 46% of the Maltese respondents.

The second issue of concern for respondents was related to economic issues. Although 73% judge the current economic situation to be positive, the individual economic issues mentioned were government debt by 15% of respondents, rising prices by 14% of respondents, unemployment by 12% and the economic situation by 11%.

Maltese respondents are the fifth most positive in the EU, in their assessment of the current situation in the EU. 38% replied that things are going in the right direction at the moment.

The report shows that the EU enjoys the trust of 55% of Maltese respondents, which is significantly higher than the 37% average across the Union.

It is reported that this Eurobarometer Survey saw an increase of 4% in the number of Maltese respondents for whom the EU conjures a very positive or fairly positive image, from 43% to 47%. These perceptions tend to vary according to the demographic segments.

The Malta Report of the Survey provides insight into the opinions of respondents on aspects which represent the future developments in the European Union. The three areas which the Maltese respondents consider to be most important in the near future are:  a common European policy on migration with 82%, a common energy policy among EU member States with 82% as well and a European economic and monetary union with the Euro as one single currency with 77%.

The report shows that Maltese respondents are the second most optimistic about the future of the EU and they are closely followed by Irish respondents. 75% of Maltese respondents claimed to be very or fairly optimistic, way above the European average that stands at 37%.