Users by nationality

The most common nationalities reported when analysing data of the number of non-Maltese cases opened by continent of nationality, were from Europe (non-EU = 433 and EU = 322) and Africa (438
service users).

On a country basis, the highest number of new and recontact cases of non-Maltese service users last year were from the United Kingdom with 219 cases, Syria with 112 cases, Italy with 91 cases, Ukraine with 82 cases, and Somalia with 82 cases.

The highest number of non-Maltese service users have been British throughout the last five years. However, the largest increase was recorded for Ukrainian new and recontact cases opened, from 17 in
2021 to 82 in 2022. Another substantial increase was recorded among Bangladeshi service users, from 4 service users in 2021 to 46 in 2022.

An increase of 81% was recorded in cases opened from Asia in 2022 (from 209 in 2021 to 377 in 2022).

Meanwhile, the large increase in the number of cases opened from Africa recorded in 2021, decreased by 30% in 2022.

Males from Africa make up the group with the highest number of cases opened when stratifying the data by continent of nationality and gender when Maltese nationals are excluded. The percentage of
African males compared to females decreased slightly from 75% (vs. 25%) in 2021 to 70% (vs. 30%) in 2022.

Primary issues among service users

When looking at the top 10 primary issues reported by all cases opened at IFSS and Community Services, homelessness was ranked first among non-Maltese service users.

For cases opened of non-Maltese service users, this issue was the most reported both in 2021 and 2022, although a slight decrease has been recorded in 2022.

When dividing the data by continent, the group of new and recontact cases most likely to report homelessness as their primary problem were African nationals (141), followed by Maltese nationals (100).

Other primary problems reported by cases opened by non-Maltese service users which ranked high in 2022, are similar to those reported by Maltese service users.

Other most common issues reported were financial difficulties, lack of support, and housing problems.

The homelessness report drawn up by FSWS (2018) shows that non-Maltese nationals who lack informal social support are more likely to be in a position of vulnerability.

The same report adds that non-Maltese nationals are more likely to have FSWS as their sole means of support. Person-centred approaches are needed to provide meaningful support to vulnerable individuals, whilst at the same time facilitating non-Maltese nationals’ participation in mainstream society.

Again, European nationals (16) ranked highest in lacking support, followed by Asian nationals (12).

Financial difficulties were reported mostly by service users with a European nationality (EU and non-EU) (25), followed by African service users (17).

Most used services

Child Protective Services had the highest number of cases opened involving non-Maltese service users in 2022 (349 users),  followed by Intake and Family Support Services (219 users).

The Agency for Community and Therapeutic Services was the third most common with 151 users, followed by the Gozo General Hospital (101 users), followed by Sedqa (75 users), and finally Adoption Services (31 users). 

FSWS

This foundation offers a wide array of services on issues such as homelessness, domestic violence, and child protection. As the number of cases involving non-Maltese nationals is increasing, FSWS can allocate more human and economic resources, develop more services, improve its operations, and develop more effective outreach programmes to cater better to this reality.

It could also contribute better to the development of more inclusive and effective policies to address gaps in access to services for non-Maltese nationals.

FSWS ultimately explained that this data is essential in understanding the welfare needs of migrants in Malta.

What do you make of these numbers?