Noise and pollution are taking a toll on residents, with nearly one in three reporting exposure to disruptive sounds in their neighbourhoods and streets, according to the latest data from the Wellbeing INDEX Project.

As urban areas grow, the number of those exposed to noisy environments increased by 21,403, reaching 143,684 in 2023 compared to the previous year.

Meanwhile, 161,708 people reported living in a polluted environment, up from 140,901 in 2022, said the project’s principal investigator, economist Marie Briguglio. She also noted that 67,703 people in Malta manage to feel calm “only a little of the time, if ever”.

A snapshot from the project presents a complex picture of Maltese society. There are now more foreigners living in Malta, and they report higher life satisfaction than locals.

The elderly report high satisfaction with the time on their hands but also experience more frequent feelings of loneliness. Meanwhile, single parents report lower overall wellbeing.

These findings, based on the latest National Statistics Office (NSO) data, were presented in Parliament today to mark International Day of Happiness.

Launched four years ago by the Malta Foundation for the Wellbeing of Society (MFWS) and the University of Malta, the Wellbeing INDEX Project focuses on Indicators, Networking, Data, Exploration, and eXchange.

It serves as a vital data repository on Malta’s wellbeing, offering a broader picture beyond the country’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP).

The research gathered over the years has been instrumental in deepening the understanding of wellbeing in Malta, leading the University of Malta and the Malta Foundation for the Wellbeing of Society to extend the project for another three years. This aims to further strengthen Malta’s commitment to a wellbeing-focused economy.

MFWS founder Marie-Louise Coleiro Preca described this as a pivotal moment in Malta’s economic discourse, saying how she believes “wellbeing should be placed at the core of governance and policymaking. For far too long, we’ve measured success solely by GDP growth, often neglecting the fundamental question: Are our people truly flourishing?”

She emphasised that the Wellbeing INDEX Project was launched to answer this question by providing an evidence-based framework to ensure policies prioritise what truly matters—happiness, life satisfaction, and essential factors such as health, social cohesion, and material security.

Project lead Prof. Vella added that the next phase of the project will focus on updating Malta’s wellbeing indicators, expanding research on children’s welfare, and developing www.wellbeingindex.mt into a comprehensive data hub. The initiative will also include public sector training on wellbeing and the creation of Malta’s first-ever repository of wellbeing interventions.

The findings are based on NSO data and annual surveys conducted among 4,000 households and 10,000 people.

During a presentation, Prof. Briguglio, alongside colleagues Natalia Mangion and Prof. Joel Azzopardi, highlighted key trends from the 2023 data. Compared to the previous year, indicators showed an improvement in personal relationships and financial satisfaction.

“However, the data shows we have flatlined on life and job satisfaction, and we fared worse with time satisfaction—an area where we were already struggling,” she said.

Despite doing better than the EU average on life satisfaction, Malta has slipped down in world rankings, as reflected in the latest World Happiness Report, issued today.

Prof. Briguglio urged policymakers to address the needs of 14,854 individuals whose life satisfaction rates fall below four out of ten, as well as the 85,820 others whose contentment levels range between four and six out of ten.

“We need to address inequalities in wellbeing beyond just income disparities,” she said, noting that the number of people in ‘absolute misery’ rose from 5,398 in 2022 to 8,323 in 2023.

“We have to safeguard the wellbeing of those who don’t have it so good. We need to watch out for the unemployed, the materially deprived, the ill, those living in poor-quality dwellings, those experiencing noise in their neighbourhood, and single parents—all of whom endure lower levels of wellbeing across several indicators over several years. This is clear from the data visualisations,” she added.

Reflecting on the past four years, Coleiro Preca stressed that the Wellbeing INDEX Project has thrived on collaboration between government entities, civil society, businesses, researchers, and community leaders. Their insights have been vital in shaping policies that reflect the real needs of society.

“This project is more than just research; it is a call to action. It is about ensuring that every policy, every initiative, and every decision contributes to a society where every individual can lead a fulfilling, dignified life. Together, let us champion a future where wellbeing is not just a concept, but a reality for every person in Malta.”

What do you make of these findings?