VALLETTA (MALTA) (ITALPRESS/MNA) – Malta has recorded the highest employment rate in the European Union for the first time, reaching 83.6%, according to new figures released by Eurostat.
The figure places Malta at the top among all 27 EU member states, around seven percentage points above the bloc’s average.
Employment Minister Byron Camilleri welcomed the results, describing them as clear evidence of the country’s economic and social progress over the past decade.
Camilleri attributed the rise to a dual strategy combining economic growth with social policy reforms. He said measures such as the tapering of social benefits and the introduction of in-work benefits helped make employment more accessible and financially viable.
“Work gives dignity,” he said, emphasising the role of job creation alongside targeted support for those entering the labour market.
Eurostat data also shows strong gains in female workforce participation. From trailing the EU average by 13 percentage points in 2012, Malta has now surpassed it by more than five points. The minister said this shift reflects policies promoting inclusivity and improved work-life balance.
Looking ahead, Camilleri said the government will shift focus from job creation to improving job quality and skills development under the Malta 2050 Vision.
He added that future efforts will prioritise better working conditions, career progression, and support for balancing professional and personal life.
The government, he said, remains committed to sustaining high employment while ensuring the benefits are shared across society.
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(ITALPRESS).
