In 2024, 6.4% of people across the European Union faced severe material and social deprivation, a slight improvement compared to 6.8% the previous year. New figures show that while deprivation remains a challenge for millions across the bloc, Malta has achieved a significant milestone, recording its lowest rate on record.
According to the latest data, Malta’s severe material deprivation rate fell to just 4.0% in December 2024, the lowest level since records began. This marks a sharp contrast to a decade earlier, when the rate peaked at 10.3% in 2014.
The EU-wide statistics highlight that young people under 18 remain the most affected group, with 7.9% facing severe deprivation, compared to 6.4% of working-age adults and 5.1% of those aged 65 and over. Women also continue to be more exposed to hardship than men, with rates of 6.6% and 6.2% respectively.
When comparing member states, the disparities remain stark. Romania (17.2%), Bulgaria (16.6%) and Greece (14.0%) reported the highest levels of severe deprivation. At the other end of the scale, Slovenia (1.8%), Croatia (2.0%) and Poland (2.3%) recorded the lowest.
Malta’s current position places it among the stronger performers within the EU, with its rate significantly below the bloc’s 6.4% average. The data reflects steady progress over the past decade, though challenges remain in ensuring vulnerable groups, especially children and women, are adequately supported.
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