Analysing poverty alleviation in Malta : towards Europe 2020

Abstract

Poverty alleviation is a challenge faced by the international community in its quest to achieve shared prosperity. In an effort to achieve poverty eradication and comply with its EU 2020 target in this regard, the Maltese government has implemented a number of policy initiatives aimed at helping vulnerable groups. This study investigates Malta’s patterns of poverty and social exclusion from 2005 to 2017 by examining the challenges that most individuals in these situations are facing. It also evaluates the Maltese political and social dimension of tackling a problem as multidimensional as poverty in an effort to find recommendations for achieving this EU 2020 target. Through several interviews and an analysis of secondary data sources, a number of findings were presented. Firstly, poverty and social exclusion are priorities for government, regardless of the political party in power. This is based on the principle that individuals have the right to a decent life and work that is essential for their development. However, the study also shows that whilst political rhetoric has become more positive over the years, there are still individuals, such as those with worklimited opportunities who are not included in such discourse. Working towards the EU 2020 goal of reducing Malta’s at risk of poverty or social exclusion by 6,560 persons is perceived as a daunting task even though it is an admirable goal. This is due to the criticism being placed on the way the target is set, which most stakeholders do not agree with. The study posits that whilst achieving the EU 2020 goal may prove impossible, there are still various areas which government should and needs to focus upon. These include issues in the rental and property market, which are linked to homelessness, food inflation and the prices of utilities such as fuels and water. Fostering a sense of community and social responsibility are factors that the state needs to consider working towards in order to alleviate poverty. This requires intense collaboration with the voluntary sector that is truly aware of the needs of vulnerable communities.