Seminar discusses structural, poverty, social exclusion statistical indicators

Malta had the highest percentage among EU countries of early school-leavers - 55 per cent of the population aged 18-24 - who were not in further education or training in 2001, according to the first set of structural, poverty and social exclusion statistical indicators compiled by the National Statistics Office.

The figure, which is significantly higher than the EU average - 19.3 per cent - was described as "worrying" by Social Policy Minister Lawrence Gonzi.

However, he said it also showed that the setting up of the Malta College of Arts, Science and Technology last year was a step in the right direction and justified the investment.

The indicators, which reflect changes in the socio-economic characteristics of Maltese society, were presented yesterday during a seminar at St James Cavalier.

Among the figures that emerged, the low rate of female participation in the labour market (32 per cent) aroused considerable interest. Malta had the lowest rate among EU countries, the average being 55 per cent.

The employment rate for older female workers (55-64) was also the lowest of the EU countries at 11.3 per cent, the figures showed.

On the other hand, female employment in Malta increased by 0.5 per cent. Across the EU, the number of females in employment increased by 1.9 per cent.

The figures for Malta were viewed as negative by the MLP's spokesman for social policy, Marie Louise Coleiro, who said the strategies adopted were failing to bear fruit and she pointed to a lack of nurseries.

Dr Gonzi, on the other hand, highlighted the slight increase in female participation, adding that policies to encourage the rate had been a good decision as well as promoting parental leave.

Dr Gonzi pointed out that the number of female university students was now higher than that of their male counterparts, which meant that when they completed their studies, many would enter the labour market in high positions.

In Malta, the at-risk-of-poverty rate was calculated to be 14.9 per cent of the population (those whose national equivalised income lies under the threshold) - one of the lower percentages in the EU, the average being 18 per cent.

The indicators show that both in Malta (21 per cent) and the EU countries (24 per cent), the 0-15-year-old group has the highest proportion of individuals at risk of poverty.

In terms of economic activity, the unemployed segment has the highest number of individuals who are at risk of poverty. In Malta 50.4 per cent of the group are at risk of poverty, compared with 38 per cent in the EU.

The percentage of at-risk-of-poverty before social transfers stood at 30 per cent, and was halved to 15 per cent, with the various social benefits.

For Dr Gonzi, the NSO's statistical indicators were positive overall, particularly when considering that Malta was being compared to countries like Germany and the Netherlands.

But Ms Coleiro felt the figures pointed towards the need for a speedier restructuring of the economy.

Employment in Malta grew by 0.3 per cent between 2000 and 2001, compared with a 1.2-per cent increase across the EU member states. The figures did not reflect a positive situation for Malta's labour market, Ms Coleiro argued.

They showed that Luxembourg experienced a 5.6 per cent increase in employment, while Greece had a 0.1 per cent decrease.

According to the NSO indicators, the long-term unemployment rate (3.4 per cent) was slightly above the EU average (3.2 per cent), according to the indicators.

In 2001, (according to Labour Force Survey figures), the employment rate in Malta stood at 54.1 per cent, compared with 64 per cent across the EU countries.

The gender pay gap in 2001 (LFS data) was 80.8 per cent, compared with 84 per cent across the EU countries during 2001. In the EU, the ratio varied between 76 per cent in the UK and 94 per cent in Portugal.

During 2001, (LFS results) the unemployment rate was 6.8 per cent, versus 7.4 per cent in the EU, where Luxembourg had an unemployment rate of two per cent and Spain 10.6 per cent.

Public expenditure in Malta on education during 2001 accounted for 5.4 per cent of the Gross Domestic Product. Across the EU, the figure stood at 5.1 per cent in 2000, varying between 3.5 per cent in Greece and 8.3 per cent in Sweden, according to the indicators.

Malta also had one of the lowest tax rates on low wage earners (17.4 per cent) in 2001, which showed a strong sense of social justice, according to Dr Gonzi.

As regards occupational health and safety, the number of serious accidents at work during 1999 has decreased when compared with 1998. In fact, the number of persons who suffered from a serious accident at work as a percentage of those who had a serious accident the previous year stood at 87.7 per cent, compared with 100 per cent across the EU.

The number of fatal accidents at work in 1999 as a percentage of the number of people who suffered from a fatal accident in 1998 stood at 75 per cent in Malta, while in the EU the average stood at 85 per cent.

Dr Gonzi viewed these figures as "cautiously pleasing".

The indicators were calculated according to international recommendations and allow comparison with EU member, candidate and applicant countries. The first set of such indicators focuses on employment, risk of poverty and social exclusion, said NSO director general Alfred Camilleri.

A copy of the report is available from the Library and Information Unit, National Statistics Office, Lascaris, Valletta, or can be downloaded from www.nso.gov.mt