Malta ranks third in the EU in the work domain, with a score of 81.0, up from 23rd place in 2010.

The full-time equivalent employment rate for women has reached 51%, surpassing the EU average of 44%. Despite this progress, the gender employment gap remains one of the highest in the EU.

The country has also made strides in the money domain, scoring 84.8 points, reflecting improvements in financial resources and economic conditions. Men’s disposable income has grown at a higher rate than women’s, resulting in a 2% gender gap.

Gender segregation in education is decreasing, with the knowledge domain score reaching 71.4 points, a 6-point rise since 2010.

More men are now participating in tertiary education fields traditionally dominated by women, such as education, health and welfare, humanities, and arts. Despite narrowing gaps in unpaid housework, significant disparities remain in participation in sporting, cultural, or leisure activities outside the home, with a score of 59.4 points. This underscores the enduring impact of cultural norms on gender roles in Malta.

Since 2010, Malta has seen a remarkable 30.3-point increase in the power domain, now ranking 17th in the EU with a score of 51.2.

The implementation of a gender corrective mechanism during the 2022 general election contributed to this progress. However, political decision-making remains a concern, with a score of 46.6 points, placing Malta 20th in this area.

In the health domain, Malta scores 87.9 points, the highest among the domains. Progress has been limited, with only a 0.5-point increase since the previous index and a 2.7-point decline since 2010, highlighting the need for renewed efforts.

The National Commission for the Promotion of Equality (NCPE) acknowledges Malta’s significant gains over the past decade while recognising ongoing challenges.

The NCPE emphasises the necessity for continued national commitment to address persistent gender inequalities and to build upon the progress achieved.

The GEI monitors progress across the EU in six key domains—work, money, knowledge, time, power, and health—using a scale from 1 (total inequality) to 100 (total equality).

Malta’s advancements reflect concerted efforts toward gender equality, yet underscore the importance of sustained action to overcome remaining disparities.

What do you make of these numbers?