https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/2761 2026-04-04T23:59:34Z 2026-04-04T23:59:34Z https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/4957 2015-09-24T07:50:47Z 2014-01-01T00:00:00Z

Title: Income inequality and growth : a cross-country comparison Abstract: The relationship between income inequality and growth is a controversial issue which has been debated by economists these last few decades. Although various literary sources relating to the subject were examined in this dissertation, no clear-cut conclusions were ever reached on the nature of the mechanism/s through which inequality affects growth, as well as on the identification of the direction of causality. In this analysis, three cross sectional regressions were investigated from which it was discovered that inequality affects growth negatively. Such results need to be interpreted with caution given that they are not highly robust. Furthermore, limitations such as omitted variable bias and multicollinearity may have distorted the resultant outcomes. This study also emphasises the importance of the subject matter dealt with in this treatise in terms of the policy-making process; especially when this is viewed in the context of European countries where redistribution of income may exacerbate the problem of an already alarmingly high fiscal burden. Description: B.COM.(HONS)ECONOMICS

2014-01-01T00:00:00Z https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/4926 2018-04-03T07:57:50Z 2014-01-01T00:00:00Z

Title: An analysis of the possible determinants of youth unemployment in Malta Abstract: The aim of this dissertation is to undertake an extensive analysis into the possible determinants of youth unemployment rate in Malta. Using the knowledge gained from the empirical studies and economic theory, this study will analyse the impact of economic variables on the Maltese youth unemployment rate. This will be done through the use of a multiple regression model, using quarterly data for the years between 2001 and 2012. The main conclusion of this study is that unions in Malta tend to have a substantial influence on the Maltese youth unemployment rate. The reason for this is that unions have the power to safeguard the jobs of current workers which makes it difficult for the youths to find an occupation. Moreover, education level attained by the youths also affects the Maltese youth unemployment rate. In fact, it was established in this study that the lower the education level attainment is, the higher will be the youth unemployment rate. Inflation rate, interest rate and real GDP growth rate also tend to have an influence on the youth unemployment rate in Malta. The Government of Malta, just like the other members of the European Union, has to try and reduce such increasing levels of youth unemployment rates as this would obviously have repercussions in the future. Furthermore, Europe is facing the problem of ageing population which makes it difficult for the Government to sustain its rising costs in the welfare system. Description: B.COM.(HONS)ECONOMICS

2014-01-01T00:00:00Z https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/2843 2015-08-24T10:51:37Z 2014-01-01T00:00:00Z

Title: What are the main factors that contribute to early school leaving in Malta? Abstract: According to the National Statistics Office (NSO), Early School Leavers are those individuals “between 18 and 24 years of age whose highest level of education or training is ISCED 0, 1, 2 or 3c short, and who are not in education or training in the four weeks preceding the survey as a percentage of the total population of those aged 18 to 24” (NSO, 2013, pg3). This study aims to examine the causes of this phenomenon. Using a qualitative research approach, data was obtained through semi-structured surveys and interviews conducted with Head Teachers, Managers, and the Early School Leavers themselves. This contributed in exploring the perceived experiences of Early School Leavers and their disengagement from the Maltese educational system. Results showed that Early School Leaving is a process. It is the consequence of a lot of factors particularly related to the education system itself, the labour market, characteristics of individual nature, family factors and other aspects related to gender and spatial distribution. The study also offers a number of recommendations that Maltese policy makers can address so as to try to engage students in education. This is especially important in the light of Malta experiencing a relatively high Early School Leaving rate when compared with other European Union countries. Description: B.COM.(HONS)ECON

2014-01-01T00:00:00Z https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/2842 2015-05-15T08:20:24Z 2014-01-01T00:00:00Z

Title: The efficiency of public spending on tertiary education in Malta : a comparison to European countries using a DEA approach Abstract: This study assesses the efficiency of public expenditure on tertiary education in Malta in relation to other European countires. As governments continue to face tightened financial pressures, efficiency in public spending is becoming even more important. This is of particular importance for the education sector as education is fundamental for development. Taking a Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA) approach, efficiency scores for the European countries were calculated for the period 2001-10. The countries were then ranked according to average efficiency scores for two periods namely 2001-05 and 2006-10. Based on two models, results indicate that when taking physical inputs, Malta operated relatively efficient. However, according to the second model, when taking expenditure as an input, Malta operated relatively inefficient, although still achieved acceptable scores. This implies that other countries produced the same or more output with less input, being expenditure. However, one also points out that as public expenditure on education in Malta followed an upward trend in recent years, mainly reflecting an increase in expenditure of a capital nature as well as the introduction of new courses and an increase in students, one expects that the output (measured in terms of increase in graduates) will be noted only with a time-lag. Having said this, from this analysis, it is indicative to policy makers that there is still room for improvement in outcomes of the tertiary education sector. Description: B.COM.(HONS)ECON

2014-01-01T00:00:00Z