MALTA needs a holistic ap-
proach that reduces the barri-
ers to parenthood if it is to ad-
dress the fertility timebomb,
warns economist JP Fabri.
"Parenthood should not
be seen as a sacrifice that
undermines career pros-
pects but as a valued choice
supported by society," Fabri
writes in his weekly opinion
column today (see page 2).
According to Eurostat, the
EU's statistical arm, Malta
had the lowest fertility rate
in the bloc at 1.06 live births
per woman in 2023. Bulgaria
had the highest rate at 1.81
with the EU average at 1.38.
In 1980, Malta's fertility
rate stood at 1.99, increasing
to 2.02 in 1990 before start-
ing its gradual decline. In
2013, the fertility rate stood
at 1.36, dropping sharply to
1.13 in 2021.
Finance Minister Clyde
Caruana described the fall-
ing fertility rate as the "el-
ephant in the room" and
"Malta's biggest challenge"
earlier this month when
launching the pre-budget
document.
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On On the PN, its the PN, its
raison d'etre and raison d'etre and
electability electability
PAGES 10-11
CONTINUES ON PAGE 4 CONTINUES ON PAGES 3
PN leadership
eyes Darren
Carabott for
deputy role
DARREN Carabott is being encour-
aged by Nationalist Party leader Alex
Borg to contest the new deputy lead-
ership post that will be created, Malta-
Today has learnt.
Borg proposed the idea to Carabott
during a meeting in which shad-
ow portfolios were also discussed,
sources close to the party told this
newspaper.
The PN leader has pledged to rec-
reate the post of deputy leader for
parliamentary affairs, which would
require an MP to fulfil the role.
Economist warns no
babies, no future
The fertility rate dropped to 1.13 in 2021 (File photo)
JP Fabri says
Malta needs to
reduce barriers
to parenthood
since falling
fertility rate
'most profound
structural issue'
country faces
KURT
SANSONE
ksansone@mediatoday.com.mt
KURT SANSONE
ksansone@mediatoday.com.mt
