Economic growth means nothing if families struggle to afford food

Economic growth means nothing if families struggle to afford food

On World Food Day, Momentum expresses its serious concern that, despite record levels of economic growth, rising GDP and decreased unemployment, more Maltese families are finding it difficult to afford basic food and essentials.

Official statistics show that the problem is growing. According to government data, over 17,500 families were eligible for food support under the state-funded Food Distribution Scheme in 2023, a significant increase from previous years. At the same time, foodbank organisations report distributing hundreds of food bags every week to people in urgent need across Malta and Gozo.

Last year, 17% of Malta’s population was living in or at risk of poverty, representing nearly 90,000 people.

Food prices have continued to rise, with the cost of a typical family food pack increasing year over year.

“These figures are deeply troubling,” Momentum General Secretary Mark Camilleri Gambin said. “While Malta’s GDP continues to rise year after year, the lived reality for too many families is one of financial strain and uncertainty. The success of a country cannot be judged only by its economic numbers but by whether its people can live with dignity.”

Momentum emphasised that not having enough money to buy food is one of the most serious indicators of inequality and social exclusion. 

“Many of Momentum’s policies are focused on ensuring that individuals do not get left behind,” Camilleri Gambin added. “We believe that no one in Malta should ever have to choose between paying rent and putting food on the table. That is why we have proposed a Decent Minimum Living Wage of €360 per week” Momentum is dedicated to building a fairer, more inclusive Malta where economic progress is matched by social justice, dignity, and opportunity for all. 

Moreover, Malta has a strong dependency on the food supply chain, with around 80% of our food now being imported. Helping farmers and protecting our farmland now becomes even more important than ever.

It-tkabbir ekonomiku ma jfisser xejn jekk il-familji jsibuha diffiċli biex jaffordjaw l-ikel

Fil-Jum Dinji tal-Ikel, Momentum tesprimi t-tħassib serju tagħha li, minkejja livelli rekord ta’ tkabbir ekonomiku, żieda fil-GDP u tnaqqis fil-qgħad, aktar familji Maltin qed isibuha diffiċli biex jaffordjaw ikel bażiku u essenzjali.

L-istatistika uffiċjali turi li l-problema qed tikber. Skont id-data tal-gvern, aktar minn 17,500 familja kienu eliġibbli għal ikel taħt l-Iskema ta’ Funded Food Distribution mill-Istat fl-2023, żieda sinifikanti mis-snin ta’ qabel. Fl-istess ħin, organizzazzjonijiet tal-Foodbank jirrappurtaw li jqassmu mijiet ta’ basktijiet tal-ikel kull ġimgħa lil nies fi bżonn madwar Malta u Għawdex.

Is-sena l-oħra, 17% tal-popolazzjoni ta’ Malta kienet qed tgħix fil-faqar jew f’riskju ta’ faqar. Dan jirrappreżenta kważi 90,000 persuna.

Il-prezzijiet tal-ikel komplew jogħlew, bl-ispiża ta’ pakkett tipiku tal-ikel tal-familja tiżdied sena wara sena.

“Dawn iċ-ċifri huma inkwetanti ħafna,” qal is-Segretarju Ġenerali ta’ Momentum, Mark Camilleri Gambin. “Filwaqt li l-GPD ta’ Malta jkompli jiżdied sena wara sena, ir-realtà l jgħixu  fiha  jgħixu wisq familji hija waħda ta’ tensjoni finanzjarja u inċertezza. Is-suċċess ta’ pajjiż ma jistax jiġi ġġudikat biss skont in-numri ekonomiċi tiegħu iżda jiġi mkejjel ukoll minn jekk in-nies tiegħu jistgħux jgħixu b’dinjità.”

Momentum enfasizza li n-nuqqas ta’ flus mehtiega biex familji jixtru l-ikel huwa wieħed mill-aktar indikaturi serji ta’ inugwaljanza u esklużjoni soċjali.

“Il-politika ta’ Momentum hija ffukata fuq li tiżigura li l-individwi ma jitħallewx lura,” żied Camilleri Gambin. “Aħna nemmnu li ħadd f’Malta m’għandu qatt ikollu jagħżel bejn il-ħlas tal-kera u t-tqegħid tal-ikel fuq il-mejda. Huwa għalhekk li pproponejna paga minima deċenti ta’ €360 fil-ġimgħa.” Momentum tahdem għal Malta aktar ġusta u inklużiva fejn il-progress ekonomiku huwa akkumpanjat minn ġustizzja soċjali, dinjità, u opportunità għal kulħadd.

Barra minn hekk, Malta għandha dipendenza qawwija fuq il-provvista tal-ikel, b’madwar 80% tal-ikel tagħna issa qed jiġi importat. L-għajnuna lill-bdiewa u l-protezzjoni tal-art agrikola tagħna issa qed isir aktar urġenti minn qatt qabel.

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