https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/5148 2026-04-19T11:19:12Z 2026-04-19T11:19:12Z https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/103776 2022-11-18T11:14:00Z 2015-01-01T00:00:00Z

Title: The role of migration within the context of the Maltese labour market Abstract: Throughout the years, the European Union has been facing a situation of an ageing population. As a result, a prominent subject of interest is whether replacement migration should be further encouraged. Inward/outward labour migration has an economic effect on EU economies, since it particularly directly affects labour markets. In such a context, the aim of this study was to try and assess how migration has affected Malta’s labour market, thus unemployment and the real wage level. The array of empirical literature does not agree on conclusive relationships between these variables, as the result depends upon the country being surveyed and the skill level of both migrants and natives. Nonetheless, the effect of migration on labour markets seems to be minimal. The yearly data obtained with respect to migration for the period 1977-2013 showed that, with an exception in 1987, there was always positive net immigration in Malta. The Johansen procedure was utilised to ascertain that the variables are cointegrated; in fact, a cointegrating relationship was found. The long run cointegrating solution suggested that a significant negative relationship exists both between positive net immigration and the unemployment rate and also between net immigration and real wage levels. Even though the effects were small and statistically insignificant, the same negative relationships were observed over the short-run, following the construction of a vector error correction model. Following the results, a set of policy implications were outlined, primarily in respect of challenging negative traditional stereotype thinking; improving working conditions, equality and integration of immigrants in the labour market. Description: B.COM.(HONS)ECONOMICS

2015-01-01T00:00:00Z https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/103775 2022-11-18T11:12:39Z 2015-01-01T00:00:00Z

Title: An economic analysis of the demand of electricity in the Maltese islands Abstract: The aim of this dissertation is to undertake an empirical analysis of the possible factors affecting electricity demand in Malta, through the application of the ARDL approach to Cointegration, based on a quarterly data set ranging from 2000 up to 2013. This study aims to quantitatively assess the short run and long run impacts of Electrical price, Compensation to Maltese households, Gross Value Added, Temperature and Inbound Tourism on the fluctuations in the demand for electricity in Malta. The study concludes that in the short-term, electrical consumption has been price and income inelastic, having the expected signs, implying possible economic policy recommendations. In addition, the Gross Value Added and inbound tourism also implied possible related economic policy recommendations provided that these were also statistically and economically significant, having their expected signs. On the other hand, the main conclusion with regards to the long-term electricity demand for Malta is that except for the seasonality variables, all of the underlying variables were found to be statistically and economically insignificant, implying that further research should be undertaken in this field of study in order to attain more robust short and long-term results. Description: B.COM.(HONS)ECONOMICS

2015-01-01T00:00:00Z https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/103774 2022-11-18T11:11:29Z 2015-01-01T00:00:00Z

Title: Malta's in-work benefit scheme : a comparative analysis with the earned income tax credit and the working tax credit Abstract: Work is the key to alleviate people from poverty and social exclusion. People sometimes fall into poverty traps and are often fully dependent on social services. The latter is a detriment to the economy and given the ageing process, it is imperative that government ensures that the working population is not dependent on social services, but it is engaged in employment. This dissertation will assess the situation of single parents vis-a-vis the labour market, and will attempt to find ways on how to encourage employment and discourage dependencies. The results presented in this study confirm that all the three in-work benefits are useful to accomplish the latter Description: B.COM.(HONS)ECONOMICS

2015-01-01T00:00:00Z https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/103770 2022-11-18T08:59:03Z 2015-01-01T00:00:00Z

Title: A socio-economic impact assessment of the maternity leave policy in Malta Abstract: The objective of this dissertation was to thoroughly assess in a quantitative manner, the costs and benefits associated with Malta’s maternity leave policy. Through this impact assessment, the study determines whether total economic benefits outweigh total economic costs. Data was obtained from ETC, Eurostat and from reports of the Social Security Department. The method consists of two parts. A direct cost approach was adopted in the first section, while a scenario analysis was used to quantify the benefits with respect to high, medium and low skilled employees. This study concludes that the total economic benefits associated with the current maternity leave policy outweigh the total economic costs. Furthermore, it indicates that the benefits of providing maternity leave to high skilled workers are greater than those incurred by providing such leave to low skilled workers. This is mainly because the value-added to the economy’s output by high skilled employees exceeds that of low skilled employees. The dissertation obtains an estimate of the monetary value associated with the net economic benefits of the current maternity leave policy. However, results must be interpreted cautiously, keeping in mind certain assumptions and limitations. Description: B.COM.(HONS)ECONOMICS

2015-01-01T00:00:00Z