During 2008, the total number of persons aged over 59 amounted to 87,975, reaching more than 21 per cent of the total population in Malta and Gozo. Women made up just over 55 per cent of this total.
To mark the occasion of the International Day of Older Persons which is celebrated every 1st October, this report presents a range of statistical data relating to the population segment of persons aged 60 years and over.
During 2008, the total number of persons aged over 59 amounted to 87,975, corresponding to more than 21 per cent of the total population in Malta and Gozo. Women totalled over 55 per cent of this age group category. According to population projections, the percentage of persons aged 60 and over is expected to increase to 33 per cent in 2050.
The total government expenditure on pensions with respect to retirement amounted to €312 million in 2008, an increase of 12 per cent with respect to the previous year. This amounts to nearly half the total government expenditure on social benefits for the same year.
Figures derived from the 2007 Survey on Income and Living Conditions reveal that elderly persons are at a higher risk of poverty than those below that age group. As an example, while the at-riskof- poverty rate amongst persons aged less than 60 stood at 13 per cent, it stood at 20 per cent amongst persons aged 60 or older.
During 2008, the number of driving licenses held by elderly persons decreased by nearly 1,000 to 39,717. Driving license holders aged 60 and over amounted to 18 per cent of the total number of driving license holders in 2008. Nearly 80 per cent of these license holders were men. Twelve per cent of individuals involved in road traffic casualties were aged 60 or older. Of these, 38 per cent were drivers, while 35 per cent were pedestrians. Furthermore, 30 per cent of the pedestrians involved in road traffic accidents were aged over 59.
In 2007, 819 persons aged over 64 were living in non-profit and non-governmental elderly people’s homes. Nearly 75 per cent of these persons were women . Moreover, 40 per cent of NGO membership during the year under review was composed of persons within this age-group category.
There were 643 persons aged over 59 years attending the University of the Third Age during the academic year 2008-2009. Nearly 20 per cent of these students were aged over 79. The majority of these students were from the Northern Harbour District, while 6 per cent were Gozitans.
In 2008 there were 38 grooms and 30 brides aged over 59 who decided to tie the knot. 47 per cent of these spouses got married for the first time. Spouses aged over 59 increased by 240 per cent during the last 8 years.