VALLETTA (MALTA) (ITALPRESS/MNA) – According to a Eurobarometer survey, most Maltese reported no change in household income over the past year, while nearly a third believe 2026 will bring an improvement.
The survey highlights a strong sense of economic stability. According to the data, 62% of Maltese reported unchanged income in 2025, seven points higher than the previous year and second only to Portugal’s 68%.
The eurozone average stands at 54%. Only 17% reported an increase in income, slightly below the 2024 figure and well below the eurozone average (22%). Croatia (40%) and Lithuania (33%) recorded significantly higher increases. Meanwhile, 21% expect a decline, slightly higher than the eurozone average (20%) but lower than Greece (31%) and Italy (28%).
The findings suggest that, despite last year’s tax cuts, income growth in Malta remains limited, with inflation continuing to erode any benefits. Looking ahead, 30% of respondents expect income to rise in 2026, one of the highest levels of optimism in the eurozone. Only Lithuania, Estonia, Croatia, and Ireland report higher levels.
However, 18% fear a decline—above the eurozone average (14%)—placing Malta among the most cautious countries, alongside Luxembourg and behind Greece and Italy, both at 23%. A slim majority, 52%, expect no change. Inflation expectations remain mixed: 43% of Maltese expect prices to rise this year, stable compared to the previous survey but lower than the eurozone average (50%).
-Photo IPA Agency-
(ITALPRESS).
