https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/124707 Sun, 12 Apr 2026 06:11:00 GMT 2026-04-12T06:11:00Z https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/124800 Title: A focus on the Maltese economy Authors: Briguglio, Lino; Briguglio, Marie; Cassar, Ian P. Abstract: This special edition of Xjenza Online carries eight articles on the Maltese economy, analysing its different aspects and using different approaches, with some studies utilising econometric techniques, while others relying more on a descriptive analysis. Seven out of the eight articles cover specific aspects of the economy, namely housing, education, inflation, competition regulation, the labour market, pensions, and the exchange rate of the domestic currency. One of the articles presents an overview of the Maltese economy, discussing its sustainability. Mon, 01 Jan 2024 00:00:00 GMT https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/124800 2024-01-01T00:00:00Z https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/124799 Title: Retirement savings in Malta : is there a role for workplace pensions? Authors: von Brockdorff, Philip; Montebello, Roberta; Clacher, Iain; Spiteri, Jonathan V. Abstract: This paper seeks to understand the main factors that influence individual willingness to participate in a workplace pension scheme. The topic of workplace or occupational pensions has garnered significant interest in recent years, particularly because of concerns related to the sustainability of public pensions within the EU due to rising population ageing. To this end, we conduct a series of computer-assisted telephone interviews (CATI) across a sample of workers in Malta who are members of a leading trade union. The questionnaire delves into a variety of issues, notably savings and investment behaviour, risk appetite as well as perceptions regarding workplace pensions. The results show that respondents’ willingness to save in a workplace pension scheme is strongly driven by individual trust levels in such schemes. In turn, logistic regression results indicate that trust in such schemes is positively associated with being male, high levels of income and higher levels of risk tolerance. We discuss these findings in terms of their implications for the widespread uptake of workplace pensions in Malta and their potential impact on retirement earnings and inequality. We also discuss the importance of trade unions in ensuring that such schemes appeal and are accessible to a diverse array of workers in the Maltese labour force, ensuring that their needs and concerns are addressed while also driving forward any legislative measures to protect investors. Mon, 01 Jan 2024 00:00:00 GMT https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/124799 2024-01-01T00:00:00Z https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/124798 Title: The sustainable development implications of major economic changes in Malta between 2012 and 2021 Authors: Briguglio, Lino Abstract: The objectives of this paper are to discuss Malta’s economic performance between 2012 and 2021, and to compare such performance with the other 26 European Union (EU) member states and with the EU as a whole. The paper also considers social, environmental and political issues, again within an EU context, so as to place the economic dimension within a sustainable development context. The focus is however on economic aspects, with the other aspects being chosen mostly in view of the fact that they tend to drive, or to be driven, by economic realities. The data presented and discussed in the paper, if synthesised, would seem to indicate that between 2012 and 2021, Malta has done very well economically, less well in terms of social development and not well at all in terms of environmental and political governance. The paper argues that in matters relating to social and political governance, the situation appears to have, broadly speaking, improved since 2021. However, this is not the case in matters relating to the physical environment, and the situation would seem to have been worsening in some aspects. Mon, 01 Jan 2024 00:00:00 GMT https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/124798 2024-01-01T00:00:00Z https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/124797 Title: Educational attainment and gender gaps in the Maltese labour force Authors: Gauci, Tiziana Abstract: The aim of this study is to analyse the main trends in educational attainment in Malta during the decade between 2010 and 2021 and to discuss factors that affect gender gaps in the Maltese labour force. Data show that the educational attainment in Malta has improved substantially during the period under consideration, but pronounced gender gaps remain. The paper considers two major factors that would seem to affect gender gaps in labour force participation rates, namely parenthood obligations and choice of study areas at tertiary level by women. The paper derives a number of policy implications from these findings, including that women should be encouraged to follow STEM subjects and that work-life balance initiatives are crucial for decreasing the gender gap in the labour force. Mon, 01 Jan 2024 00:00:00 GMT https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/124797 2024-01-01T00:00:00Z