Survey Shows 70% Of Maltese Prefer Palliative Care Over Assisted Suicide
A new nationwide survey by misco has found that 70% of people in Malta favour palliative care that allows for a natural and pain-free death over assisted suicide, but the story doesn’t end there.
In fact, 47% admitted they would consider euthanasia if they ever felt like a burden on their loved ones.
The survey, carried out between 10th and 19th June with 500 respondents, sheds light on the emotional and moral complexity surrounding Malta’s ongoing end-of-life debate. This comes soon after the government launched a public consultation on a White Paper proposing assisted suicide for terminally ill patients with less than six months to live.
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Lived experience plays a big role, two-thirds of those who had lost a loved one to illness preferred palliative care, showing how personal grief shapes public opinion.
But perhaps most concerning is the confusion surrounding the topic: Only 60% correctly understood what “assisted dying” means. Many mistakenly believed it referred to hospice care or the right to stop life-prolonging treatment, both of which are already legal and available to all.
As the government weighs public feedback, this survey shows a country deeply split between compassion, fear, and tough personal choices.
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