Country fiche on gender equality and policy developments : Malta : 3rd quarter 2014

Abstract

Women’s employment rate (15-64 years) in 2013 showed an increase from 2012 (46.6%, up 2.4 p.p.); however, it was still low when compared to the EU-28 average (58.7%). By contrast, men’s employment rate was 74.1%, up 0.8 p.p. from 2012. Consequently, the gender employment gap (27.5 p.p. in 2013), although decreasing was highest in the EU-28 and significantly higher than the EU-28 average (10.7 p.p.).

The unemployment rate (15-24) was especially high when compared with other age cohorts. Women’s rate in 2013 was 10.9% (a drop of 3.7 p.p. from 2012), while men’s rate stood at 15.6%, a marked increase of 1.7 p.p. from 2012. Figures for the 2013 EU-28 average were 22.7% and 24.0% for women and men respectively. Although not the highest, the gender gap is ranked fourth among the EU-28.

Formal childcare for children under 3 years of age in 2012 showed a low coverage at 17% which was 11 p.p. lower than the EU-28 average. Formal childcare for children aged 3 years to compulsory school age in 2012 stood at 91%, which was 8 p.p. higher than the EU-28 average. Formal childcare for children aged from compulsory school age up to 12 years in 2012 was 100% (4 p.p. higher than the EU-28 average).

Key country features1: according to the latest Statistics on Income and Living Conditions Survey (SILC), 22.6% of households comprised single person households and 12.4% consisted of households with 2 adults and 2 dependent children. The 2014 Budget announced that lone parents will be entitled to training courses to enhance their educational levels and employability. Free childcare and annual tax credits of EUR 200 for vocational training to EUR 1,000 for full time education will be given to participants. A significant amount of people at-risk-of-poverty and social exclusion in 2012 were single parent households, with 47.6% of persons in this category being at risk. The at-risk-of-poverty or social exclusion rate for the same household category stood at 66.3%. There were 4,078 registered live births in 2012, one-fourth were born outside of marriage, which is also another high risk factor for living in poverty.