Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/416739
maltatoday, SUNDAY, 16 NOVEMBER 2014 18 News +3567942 8152 | +3569982 0266 | +356 7947 8478 We invite architects and property developers to contact us for a demonstration of the unique features of our 3-metre arm trencher, which ensures efficient and effective deployment whilst delivering additional safety and decreased vibration to neighbouring properties. Well and Swimming Pool Excavation Land Clearing Inert Waste Management Excavation Total Building Demolition Trenching MATTHEW AGIUS 8.4% of the Maltese over 60 live be- low the poverty line, according to the latest report by HelpAge interna- tional, an international observatory for the wellbeing of the aged. The report defines poverty as hav- ing an income of less than half the country's median income. Malta has fallen 17 places in the Global Age- Watch annual global ranking, The Global AgeWatch index uses data from the UN, World Bank, WHO, ILO, UNESCO and Gallup to come up with its annual ranking, which grades countries on income security, health status, employment capability and enabling environment. Malta is now the 55th best place to grow old, a slide from 38th place in 2013. Malta ranks moderately on the in- dex, performing best in the health domain, where it ranks close to the regional averages on all health indica- tors. The index calculates that persons in Malta over 60 years of age can be ex- pected to live, on average, a further 24 years – of which 17 would be in good health. This will add to the percent- age of the population over 60, which it expects to increase from today's 24.1%, to reach 30.9% in 2030. Malta performs slightly better on the "enabling environment" front. 90% of people over 50 say they have relatives or friends they can count on when in trouble. However, only 34% of the age group describing them- selves as satisfied with public trans- portation systems. The employment rate, which meas- ures access to the labour market and economic empowerment of older persons is also relatively low, with 33.6% of the population aged 55-64 being in employment. From a global perspective, Europe appears to be the best continent to grow old in however, boasting 70% of the countries in the top 20. Norway, Sweden and Switzerland place first, second and third, respectively. The figures reveal a very real divide between northern and southern Eu- rope, with all of the European coun- tries in the top 20 hailing from the northern part of the continent. The highest-ranked southern European nation is Spain, in 21st place. Spare a thought for 73rd place Greece, now ranked behind India, Nepal and Bangladesh. "Older peo- ple's welfare has been affected by government austerity programmes in recent years, affecting health services, and in the case of Greece, pensions," says the report. Malta slips 17 places in global wellbeing index for the aged