Measuring the impact of active inclusion and other policies to combat poverty and social exclusion

Abstract

Complemented by a social fabric which still values strong community and family ties, Malta thrives from a strongly entrenched social welfare system that actively protects those at risk-of-poverty, such that the at-risk-of-poverty rate has been retained relatively stable over the years (15% in 2008, 14% in 2007, 2006 and 2005 compared to 15% in 2000). However, beyond Malta’s deep-rooted social consciousness, risk-of-poverty rates reveal that certain population groups (including; the long term unemployed, single parents, irregular migrants, drug and alcohol dependents, persons with disability, older persons, children and young people at risk, families with 3 or more dependent children and elderly people with very low pension income) may be more vulnerable to risks of poverty and social exclusion.