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MALTA / The Malta Star / National Statistics / June 26, 2009
The National Statistics Office released a report Thursday of a national survey on income and living conditions (SILC). It says 10,630 elderly persons (aged 65 and over) were at risk of poverty, representing 20% of all elderly people in Malta.
The report went on to say how similar rates were obtained amongst persons aged 59+ and over 69. The at-risk-of-poverty rate of males aged 65 and over was higher than that of females in the same age bracket.
This is at a time when the global poverty rate stands at 13%.
The report added how in 2007, just over half of the household population aged 65+ were living in households with two members of which 7,730 of these persons (2%) were at risk of poverty.
The report also found that 28% (14,840 persons) of all persons living in households aged 65+ were living alone.
In the report, Malta’s at risk of poverty rate was estimated at 14%, below the European Union average, and found highest amongst children and the elderly.
“Monetary poverty is shown by the survey to be highly correlated to educational attainment and work intensity of the households,” the report also pointed out.
The annual Survey on Income and Living Conditions (SILC) carried out by the National Statistics Office sheds light on a wide array of variables, ranging from shifts in the demographic characteristics of households and distribution of income patterns, to home ownership, at-risk-of-poverty and deprivation indicators. Special tables focus on children and the elderly.
The survey, carried out in 2007, also revealed that the total disposable income of Maltese amounted to €2.6 billion, with an average of €18,325 per household.
Households in the Western district had the highest average disposable income.
The report also found that 31% of all households are located in the Northern Harbour district, while just over 23% of households were either renting their dwelling or availing of free accommodation.
The report also pointed out that 83% of households that owned their main dwelling did not have a house loan tied to it.[rc]
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