Majority of Maltese optimistic about future of the country, but not the world

The majority of Maltese are optimistic about the future the country, but 54 percent are pessimistic about the future of the world, a Eurobarometer survey has found.

The European Parliament’s Spring Eurobarometer survey saw 505 interviews with Maltese respondents take place between 9th April and 3rd May.

While 73 per cent were optimistic about Malta’s future, 24 per cent are pessimistic about it, the survey found, with the remainder responding that they don’t know.

The optimism is likely at least in part due to Malta’s economic performance. Malta’s economic growth has remained strong, and the country has maintained a very low unemployment rate. Although issues tied to overpopulation have been emerging in recent years.

The survey also found that 85 per cent of Maltese respondents are optimistic about their own future and that of their family, and 70 per cent are optimistic about the future of the European Union.

As for the future of the world, only 40 per cent of Maltese respondents are optimistic about its future, down 5 percentage points since the November 2025 survey. Malta’s percentage is higher than the EU average of 38 percent saying they are optimistic.

The international geo-political situation has been strained over the past years with the invasion of the Ukraine, and also with the conflict in the Middle East. This has created a sense of uncertainty.

The Eurobarometer also asked respondents whether they see the European Union as a place of stability. The majority of Maltese (73 per cent) answered in the affirmative.

The majority of Maltese respondents (84 per cent) also believe that the role of the EU to protect European citizens against global crises and security risks should become more important in the future. A massive 97 per cent of Maltese say that member states of the union should be more united to face global challenges, and 91 percent believe the EU needs more means to face the current global challenges.

To strengthen its position in the world, the highest percentage of Maltese respondents, 36 per cent, believe the EU should focus on defence and security.

Three other selections tied for second highest choice. 25 per cent believe the focus should be on energy independence, resources and infrastructures, and the same percentage believe the competitiveness, economy and industry should be one of the focuses. 25 per cent also selected education and research. Respondents were able to select three responses from a list, and those were the highest four selected answers.

Most satisfied with quality of life

The survey also asked respondents about their quality of life, and it found that the absolute majority (90 per cent) of Maltese respondents are satisfied.

Asked in which areas could changes most improve their quality of life, 46 per cent of Maltese respondents, who were able to give up to five answers, selected physical and mental health, the answer that received the highest percentage of selections. The rest of the top three answers were the financial situation and ability to afford daily life (selected by 37 per cent) and social life (family, friends, other relationships) selected by 34 per cent.

The survey provides a bit of insight into these answers, asking respondents to explain what is most important to them for a good quality of life. Here, half of all Maltese respondents selected physical and mental health as one of their answers. 41 per cent, the second highest percentage of Maltese respondents, and 39 per cent (the third highest selected answer) picked the financial situation and the ability to afford daily life.

Priorities

Respondents were asked to select up to four topics they would like to see addressed as a priority by the European Parliament. 44 per cent selected inflation, rising prices and the cost of living. 37 per cent (the second highest amount) selected public health, while the third highest percentage (30 per cent) selected economy and job creation.