The European Statistics on Income and Living Conditions (EU-SILC) survey has revealed that in 2021, the majority of persons living in private households perceived their general health as being good (73%), while 31% of respondents stated that they suffer from chronic illnesses or conditions, the National Statistics Office said today.

The survey is an annual exercise undertaken by the National Statistics Office among persons residing in private households in Malta and Gozo.

The survey collects several indicators related to general health and well-being. In the 2021 wave, additional indicators were included specifically to measure the extent to which households can afford certain items for their children who were under 16 years of age.

It found that males (76%), were more likely to perceive their general health as good. Those who were at-risk- of-poverty perceived their general health as being worse than those not at risk.

On a scale from 0 to 10, where 0 represents ‘not satisfied at all,” and 10 represents “completely satisfied,” respondents reported an average score of 8.6 with regard to their satisfaction with their personal relationships with family and friends.

A mean score of 7.6 was reported with regard to their satisfaction with their current job, and a mean score of 7.1 was reported with regard to their satisfaction with their overall life. The lowest mean score was reported with regard to respondents’ satisfaction with their financial situation, at 6.8.

The survey also found that those who were not at-risk-of-poverty reported higher mean scores with regard to well-being characteristics, when compared to those who were at-risk-of-poverty.

Similarly, respondents with the highest equivalised income also reported higher mean scores when compared to those with the lowest equivalised income.

Most respondents reported that they “felt calm and peaceful” (42%) and happy (49%) most of the time. Feelings of “nervousness and agitation” were sometimes experienced by 33% of the respondents.

Feelings of “downheartedness and depression” and feelings of “loneliness” were experienced none of the time by 52% and 60% of the respondents, respectively.

Most households stated they were able to provide their children (under 16 years) with various items, including a suitable place to study or do homework (96%), indoor games (96%), some new clothes (94%), age-appropriate books (94%), and two pairs of properly fitting shoes (94%).

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