Country fiche on gender equality and policy developments : Malta : 2nd quarter 2013

Abstract

Women’s employment rate (15-64) in 2012 showed an increase from 2011 (44.2%, up 3.3 p.p.); however, it is still low when compared with the EU27 average (58.6%). By contrast, men’s employment rate was 73.3%, down 0.3 p.p. from 2011. Consequently, the gender employment gap (29.1 p.p. in 2012) is high in comparison to the EU27 average (11.2 p.p.).

The unemployment rate (15-24) is especially high compared with other age cohorts. Women’s rate in 2012 was 14.6% (an increase of 0.9 p.p. from 2011); men’s rate remained stable (13.9%). Figures for the 2012 EU average are 22.1% and 23.4% for women and men respectively. Formal childcare for children under 3 years in 2011 showed a low coverage at 11% which was 19 p.p. lower than the EU 27 average. Formal childcare for children aged 3 to compulsory school age in 2011 stood at 73% which was 11 p.p. lower than EU 27 average. Formal childcare for children aged from compulsory school age up to 12 in 2011 was 100% (4 p.p. higher than the EU 27 average).

Key country features include teenage pregnancies (255 live births to women under 20 years, representing 6.36% of total live births in 2010); lone mothers (1,010 women, i.e. 25% of children born in 2010 were to lone mothers); and domestic violence (in total, 659 persons according to the Demographic Review 2010).1

In the run up to general elections, the hot policy debates on gender equality were the increase of women’s participation in the labour market, more accessible and affordable childcare, and the introduction of a gender quota system on boards and committees. However, gender debates have not yet featured on the policy agenda of the new administration.