‘A statistic we should care about is one that tells us how people feel’ – David Aguis on Wellbeing Index

Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives David Agius has addressed the national conference on the updates of the Wellbeing Index 2025 project on Thursday (today).

This conference brought together experts, academics, and officials from the fields of policy and civil society to discuss the country’s wellbeing from a broader perspective, beyond just the economy. Mr Agius emphasised how this project is crucial in providing a clear picture of how people are living and what can be done to improve the quality of life in Malta.

In his address, Mr Agius highlighted the importance of the Wellbeing Index project, which has been collecting detailed data on the wellbeing of Maltese people for four years. 

“This project is innovative because it doesn’t just focus on GDP and the economy, but also analyses crucial aspects such as people’s quality of life and the impact of social and environmental factors. This type of research helps us better understand the needs of the people and prioritise measures that improve wellbeing in our country,” said Deputy Speaker Agius.

Mr Agius concluded his speech by referencing renowned economist Richard Layard, who said: “As politicians, if there is one statistic we should care about, it’s the one that tells us how people feel.” 

He added that “today, we are doing exactly that – listening to the pulse of the people to better understand their needs and shaping policies that prioritise the quality of life in our country.”

The presentation on the key updates of the project was delivered by Prof. Marie Briguglio, Prof. Joel Azzopardi, and Natalia Mangion. The conference was also addressed by the Rector of the University of Malta, Professor Alfred J. Vella, the Director of the National Statistics Office, Matthew Zerafa, as well as the Founder and Chairperson of the Malta Foundation for the Wellbeing of Society, President Emeritus Marie Louise Coleiro Preca.

The conference was attended by several members from both sides of the House of Representatives, representatives from non-governmental organisations, as well as representatives from government departments, all committed to continuing their work towards improving the wellbeing of the Maltese people.