The wellbeing INDEX project (Indicators Networking Data Exploration eXchange) presented updates and new findings in Parliament as Malta as the world marked International Day of Happiness this week. The project, launched two years ago by the Malta Foundation for the Wellbeing of Society and the University of Malta, serves as a repository of data and information to guide policymakers and stakeholders in measuring the island’s wellbeing.
Dr Marie Briguglio, principal investigator of the project shared findings based on the NSO’s EU Silc data and the World Happiness Report 2023, pointing out that as data continued to be gathered, there was emerging evidence of disparities in wellbeing by gender, district, and age. Malta’s world status continues to improve in terms of GDP per capita, but its position has slipped to 37th place from 33rd in terms of life evaluation. In terms of negative emotions, there are only 27 other countries in the world where people feel more worried, sadder or angrier than us. Dr Briguglio said: “This kind of data gives us the insights we need to understand wellbeing trends and to execute policy that improves other aspects of life in Malta, beyond work and money.”
The importance of evidence-based policy was also brought to the fore by University of Malta Pro-Rector Prof. Carmen Sammut who said that while there were several well-documented correlations of wellbeing, which gave important pointers for intervention, research was the one intervention, which contributed to all others. She referred to the University of Malta's Open Access Repository as a place where relevant research may be found.
During the presentation, Faculty for Social Wellbeing Dean Prof. Andrew Azzopardi and economist Dr Charmaine Portelli summarised the main findings of another component of the wellbeing INDEX project focused on best practices in wellbeing policy from around the world, and proposed applications for Malta. Prof Azzopardi emphasised the importance of collaborative work in the domain. Dr Portelli highlighted the importance of integrating wellbeing into the government’s core agenda, of empowering a wellbeing watchdog, of data and evidence-based policy and of offering capacity-building opportunities for key players.
National Statistics Office Director for Social Statistics Mr Matthew Zerafa, who also addressed the press conference, assured that the NSO would continue to support the collection, and provision of data for research and policy on wellbeing.
Dr Marie-Louise Coleiro Preca, chair of the Malta Foundation for the Wellbeing of Society and Eurochild President, said there were marked differences in the quality of life and wellbeing enjoyed by members of society in Malta. “As we mark International Day of Happiness established by the United Nations this week, we need to focus on its core principles for a more inclusive, equitable and balanced approach to economic growth that promotes happiness and wellbeing for all,” Dr Coleiro Preca said.
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