Hospital investment and energy subsidies most welcomed Budget 2027 measures, survey finds

Investment in Mater Dei Hospital and subsidies keeping electricity, gas and fuel prices stable have emerged as the most welcomed measures in Budget 2027, according to new findings published by market research firm Esprimi.

The findings form part of Esprimi's first Budget Barometer, which surveyed 400 Maltese adults between 29th October and 2nd November, following the presentation of Budget 2027 by Finance Minister Clyde Caruana.

Respondents were asked to select up to five Budget measures they welcomed most and up to five they welcomed least.

Investment in Mater Dei Hospital, including the extension of its Emergency Department, was welcomed by 41 per cent of respondents, while just three per cent identified it among their least welcomed measures.

Similarly, 42 per cent welcomed the energy subsidies aimed at keeping electricity, gas and fuel prices stable, compared to just four per cent who viewed the measure negatively.

Both measures recorded a net score of +38 percentage points, making them the most positively received measures in the Budget.

The second interconnector with Sicily followed with a net score of +24 points, with 27 per cent selecting it among their most welcomed measures and three per cent among their least welcomed.

Other positively received measures included the Super Bonus (+22), coverage of costs for people accompanying patients receiving treatment abroad (+20), pension increases (+17) and tax cuts for parents (+13).

Meanwhile, the increase in the eco-contribution on tourist accommodation was the least welcomed measure, with 33 per cent of respondents selecting it among their least welcomed measures, compared to eight per cent who welcomed it.

The measure recorded a net score of -25 points.

Other measures receiving a negative response included the €400 annual infrastructure contribution for third-country nationals (-13), the 25 per cent company tax rate on retained profits for businesses with turnover of up to €1 million (-13), and sports leave for elite athletes (-11).

The higher adoption reimbursement also received a negative net score of -8, while the end of free childcare for third-country nationals recorded -6.

Age and household differences emerge

The latest findings also reveal differences in how Budget measures were received across age groups and household types.

Pension increases were particularly popular among older respondents, recording a net score of +49 among those aged 70 and over, compared to -1 among those aged 18 to 29.

Similarly, the higher tax-free pension band recorded a net score of +29 among respondents aged 70 and over, while younger age groups were less enthusiastic.

The Super Bonus was particularly well received among those aged 30 to 39, recording a net score of +57, followed by respondents aged 50 to 59 (+41).

Tax cuts for parents received their strongest support among respondents aged 40 to 49, with a net score of +40.

Energy subsidies, meanwhile, received positive scores across every age group, ranging from +26 among those aged 18 to 29 to +49 among those aged 60 to 69.

The increase in the eco-contribution on tourist accommodation received negative scores across all age groups, including -30 among those aged 50 to 59 and -29 among those aged 40 to 49.

Household composition also influenced responses.

Among households with children, tax cuts for parents recorded a net score of +53, compared to +11 among households with someone aged 65 or over and no children.

The Super Bonus also received stronger support among households with children (+43), compared to +3 among households with someone aged 65 or over and no children.

In contrast, pension increases were more positively received by households with someone aged 65 or over and no children (+40), compared to +8 among households with children.

Most respondents do not expect their household finances to worsen

The new findings follow the first results of the Budget Barometer, published on Friday, which showed that Maltese adults were more satisfied than dissatisfied with Budget 2027, despite concerns about the country's economic outlook.

According to those findings, 48 per cent of respondents expect their household's financial situation to remain unchanged over the coming year, while 36 per cent believe they will be better off.

Only 15 per cent expect their household to be worse off.

However, respondents were less optimistic about the Budget's impact on Malta as a whole, with 35 per cent expecting the country to be worse off, compared to 39 per cent who believe it will be better off.

The survey also found that 41 per cent of respondents were satisfied or very satisfied with Budget 2027, compared to 29 per cent who were dissatisfied.

Confidence in the Government's management of the economy was lower, with 45 per cent expressing disagreement that the Government was managing the economy well, compared to 32 per cent who expressed confidence.

Further findings expected

Additional findings from the Budget Barometer are scheduled for publication on 11th, 13th and 15th November.

These will examine differences in opinion according to political voting preferences, measures respondents believe were missing from the Budget, and the views of third-country nationals on policies affecting them.

The survey was conducted online, with participants recruited through Esprimi's research panel and social media. Results were weighted according to voting patterns in Malta's May 2026 general election.

Esprimi noted that the indicative margin of error is approximately five percentage points, although the survey used a non-random sample.

The research was funded entirely by Esprimi, which said it was not commissioned by any political party, government entity or business organisation.