Malta’s Biggest Problem: Financial Corruption Takes Centre Stage

According to a recent survey by Times of Malta, financial corruption has emerged as the second biggest issue plaguing the country, just behind cost of living. The results reveal a stark contrast between public perception and individual experience.

Public Perception vs. Individual Experience

• 15% of respondents listed corruption as one of the nation’s top concerns
• Only 6% cited it as their personal biggest problem

The disparity highlights the disconnect between how people perceive corruption on a national scale versus its impact on their daily lives.

Partisan Divide

The survey reveals a clear partisan divide when it comes to financial corruption. Results show that:

• Nationalist Party (PN) voters are more likely to view corruption as a major issue, with almost 29% naming it as one of the country’s biggest problems
• Labour Party (LP) voters prioritized other concerns such as cost of living, traffic, over-development, and asylum seekers

Non-Voters’ Views on Financial Corruption

Interestingly, non-voters showed a mixed bag of views on financial corruption. They:

• Deemed it a significant national issue, similar to PN voters
• Agreed with LP voters that other problems like traffic, over-construction, and rent prices have a greater impact on their daily lives

Survey Methodology

The survey was conducted by market research firm Esprimi between July 14th and 19th, based on a sample of 525 respondents.

Conclusion

The findings underscore the complex and multifaceted nature of corruption in Malta, where public perception is shaped by party affiliation and individual experiences vary widely. The results highlight the need for a nuanced understanding of financial corruption and its impact on Maltese society.